Hailing from Queensland, Australia, Dylan Smith is a sonic architect known professionally as AutomatA. He has earned a reputation among tastemakers for his masterful blend of deep progressive house, futuristic techno, and emotive trance, crafting intricate soundscapes that merge celestial atmospheres with driving, hypnotic grooves.
The name AutomatA, derived from the Greek word for “self-acting” or “self-willed,” is central to his artistic identity. This philosophy of creation drives his work, shaping frequencies into complex reflections of the self and the world. His sound is an exploration of raw, emotive motifs set against the hammering heartbeat of the machine, designed to take listeners on a transcendent journey.
AutomatA’s cutting-edge production has garnered global attention, with key originals and remixes on respected labels like Techgnosis Records and Frisson Records. A pivotal moment in his performance history includes delivering a celebrated rooftop ritual at Elements Festival in 2021. His steadily growing global footprint is underscored by a consistent audience of over 1,000 monthly listeners on Spotify, marking him as an artist prepared to transport audiences to another dimension.
AutomatA’s Bass Project
The name AutomatA is core to the artist’s identity, derived from the Greek word αὐτόματος, which means “self-acting, self-willed, self-moving.”
This is driven by “the will to create and shape frequencies into reflections of self and the world around.” The resulting sonic sequences are described as “outlays of pure unfiltered conscious dribble and deep emotive motifs to accompany the hammering heartbeat of the machine.”
Dylan’s alter ego Bass project :
shmish
(Pronounced: sh-mi-sh)
adj: one who is on a mission to send.
As Shmish, he embarks on an experiment in bass, crafting a style described as a blend of “heart breaking highs and crushing face tearing lows.” This project has seen him perform across Australia and release two EPs with 8 Ball Audio, bringing a fresh blend of audio delights to new audiences.
He is guided by the mantra:
Try again, fail again, fail better.
