There are moments when sound becomes more than melody — when it turns into a living force that weaves hearts together, dissolving the distance between “you” and “me.” This is the realm where Ayam & ChrisTala dwell. As musical visionaries and partners in life, they create bridges between worlds — between the ancient and the modern, the spiritual and the sensual, the inner and the collective. Their performances are less about entertainment and more about invocation: spaces where rhythm and resonance awaken what words cannot reach.
Their story began, fittingly, in vibration. In 2016, amidst the vibrant energy of a healing festival, Ayam was drawn by the shimmering tones of ChrisTala’s overtone instruments. What followed wasn’t just a meeting — it was a recognition. Both were seekers on different yet parallel paths: Ayam, rooted in performance art, somatic movement, and shamanic singing; ChrisTala, a sound alchemist exploring the frequencies that shape consciousness. Their first creative exchange — an impromptu dance of liberation and sound — sparked something larger than themselves. From that spark emerged Transformuse, and later, a growing ecosystem of community and ritual called the Muse Circle.
Musically, Transformuse is a world of contrasts that merge seamlessly into unity. Trip-hop textures meet folktronic warmth; shamanic rhythms intertwine with soulful melodies. Each song feels like a conversation between the earth and the cosmos — an invitation to journey inward while celebrating togetherness. Rather than imitating ancestral traditions, Ayam & ChrisTala listen deeply for the universal essence that flows through them: the rhythm that connects, the tone that heals, the frequency that uplifts.
Their creative process is both intuitive and intentional — a dance of feminine channeling and masculine architecture. Ayam receives melodies like whispers from beyond, phrases that shimmer with emotion and memory. ChrisTala builds the landscape around them, weaving beats and textures until the sound itself breathes. The result is music that is not only heard but felt, rippling through body and breath like medicine.
Beyond performance, their mission is one of collective transformation. In their circles and concerts, music becomes a bridge for healing — not as therapy, but as communion. Through their Muse Circle, they nurture a living community of conscious creators, a sanctuary for those who wish to live, learn, and express from the heart.
As they bring their album Holy Shift into the world and open the doors of Music Temple Kassel, their vision continues to expand — uniting art, spirituality, and transformation into a single field of possibility.
Can you recall a moment when this bridging power profoundly changed your own lives or your audience’s experience?
Ayam & ChrisTala: Absolutely. We remember vividly one of our early performances at a festival where we were to guide a singing circle. It was the first time we shared our songs in front of an audience. The tent was filled with people from all walks of life until the tent was full, and people gathered in front of it. People started shedding their reservations, their eyes closing, their bodies beginning to sway. For those 2 hours, the usual barriers of 'stranger' or 'different' dissolved. We merged with the sound, people connected through shared voicing, laughter, and a collective release. It was like the music created a safe container, a bridge that allowed everyone to arrive in the same moment, in their own unique way. It showed us, firsthand, that when we bring our music and presence together, something magical can happen.
Your collaboration began after a chance encounter at a healing festival in 2016. What drew you together creatively, and how did that meeting shape your vision?
Ayam & ChrisTala: "It felt like fate, truly. We met amidst the vibrant, open energy of a healing festival. ChrisTala was setting up sound healing treatments, and Ayam was drawn by the resonant tones. There was an immediate spark – not just a creative one, but a recognition of a shared frequency, a similar longing for deeper connection and authentic expression. ChrisTala was already exploring overtone singing and the power of sonic frequencies, while Ayam was deeply immersed in dancing and singing. We discovered that our seemingly different paths were actually complementary. Then we had a magical dance where liberation met creativity and eros, but after this weekend, it took us another 18 months before we came together.
Since then, we approached our mutual creative output as a couple in different ways – and yet the tensions between us spark our discussions about shared values.
Transformuse fuses trip-hop, folktronica, shamanic rhythms, and soul-infused melodies. Which musical or spiritual traditions have influenced you the most, and how do you honour them in your compositions?
Ayam & ChrisTala: Our different social backgrounds and musical experiences merge into a tapestry of many threads. Musically, the deep, atmospheric textures of Trip-Hop and the organic, ethereal soundscapes of Folktronica provide the foundation for our sonic journeys. We're profoundly drawn to the raw, primal energy of shamanic rhythms, particularly those from indigenous cultures. Spiritually, we find immense inspiration in conscious movement practices, the wisdom of ancient spiritual teachings, and the deep, soulful melodies that speak directly to the heart. We honour these traditions not by imitating them, but by merging them. It's about finding the universal essence within each tradition – the rhythm that connects us, the melody that heals, the frequency that uplifts – and weaving it into our own unique sonic language. It’s a constant process of listening, learning, and alchemizing these ancient wisdoms into contemporary music that inspires.
When crafting a new track, do you start from a lyrical idea, a beat, or a ritual? How do your individual strengths—Ayam’s vocal channeling and ChrisTala’s multi-instrumental soundscapes—interplay during production?
Ayam: "For me, it often starts with a feeling, a deep resonance, or a powerful phrase that surfaces, almost like a whispered message from the soul. It can be a lyric, a melody, or just an emotion I need to express. I think of it as channeling – receiving inspiration. Then, I bring this seed to ChrisTala."
ChrisTala: "And I take that seed and begin to build the world around it. Sometimes Ayam brings a full melody or lyric, and I'll find the beat, the textures, the instruments that feel like the perfect sonic environment for her voice and the message. Other times, I might be exploring a new sound, a new rhythm, and Ayam will tune into that frequency, and a vocal melody will emerge. Our creative process is very much an interplay of intuitive receiving and conscious crafting. Ayam's vocal channeling brings the raw emotion and essence, and my role is to create the sonic landscape, and as we closely produce the songs together it's sometimes a challenge to conclude and polish the song until we are both happy with the result.
Your events often blend singing circles, concerts, and ecstatic dance. How do you balance creating a ceremonial atmosphere while also keeping it accessible and engaging for people new to these experiences?
Ayam & ChrisTala: The key for us is creating a welcoming container with clear, gentle guidance. We believe that the 'ceremonial' aspect arises naturally from the shared intention of connection, presence, and mindful movement, because we don't follow a certain tradition. We start with simple, accessible elements: a warm welcome, a clear explanation of the guidelines (respectful, sober, consensual space), and an invitation to be present simply. The Cacao ceremony and opening circles are designed to bring people into connection with themselves and the group gently. Ayam's warm-up workshops focus on simple, accessible embodied practices of movements and vocalisation that anyone can participate in, to open the creativity, explore and build confidence. We always emphasize that there's no right or wrong way to dance. The most important thing is to listen to your own body and spirit. By making the space feel safe, authentic, and non-judgmental, we find that people new to these experiences naturally open up and discover the magic for themselves. It's about creating an invitation, not an obligation.
Ayam, your background includes performance art, shamanic singing, vocal improvisation and somatic movement practices. How do these diverse modalities inform the way you lead workshops like VoiceMotion or Ecstatic Singing?
Ayam: "My journey has been a deep exploration of the body as a vessel for wisdom and expression. My background in performance art taught me about presence and storytelling; shamanic singing opened me to the power of ancestral voices and primal connection; somatic movement and yoga practices showed me the incredible capacity of the body to hold, process, and release energy, and voice & movement improvisation has taught me to simply explore joy and playfulness and to be a source of profound self-knowledge. Leading workshops like VoiceMotion or Ecstatic Singing is about sharing these discoveries. It’s not about teaching someone how to 'sing' or 'dance' perfectly, but about offering tools for self-expression and guiding them to unlock their own innate capacity for expression. We work with breath, sound, and movement as tools to release inhibitions, build confidence, and reconnect with the intuitive wisdom of the body. My aim is always to create a safe, nurturing space where participants can explore their unique voice and movement language without judgment, rediscovering their innate creativity and aliveness."
ChrisTala, you design overtone instruments and study the effects of sound frequencies on human consciousness. Can you share how these instruments and principles show up in your DJ sets and live performances?
ChrisTala: My journey into sound healing and instrument design is deeply intertwined with my understanding of music's potential for healing. I've always been fascinated by how different frequencies and sonic textures affect our state of consciousness. My overtone instruments, like the monochord or frame drums, create rich, resonant soundscapes that have a natural ability to induce states of calm, focus, and deep relaxation. In my own productions and live performances, these principles guide my selections and my approach. I aim to create a sonic arc that mirrors a journey – starting with grounding ambient and downtempo sounds, moving through more rhythmic and ecstatic phases with tribal and electronic beats, and finally returning to a place of integration and stillness. As a DJ, I often incorporate live elements or carefully selected tracks that feature complementary energies to create a multi-dimensional listening experience that aims to heal, uplift, and connect listeners to their own inner harmony.
Transformuse’s mission emphasizes collective healing and growth through music. What have you observed about the healing potential of group singing or dancing compared with individual practice?
Ayam & ChrisTala: "Individual practice is foundational for self-awareness and personal growth. It’s where you confront your own shadows and find your inner compass. However, there's a unique magic that happens when you bring that practice into a group setting. In group singing or dancing, you tap into a collective consciousness, a shared energy field. When many people sing the same melody or move to the same rhythm, the frequency in the room amplifies. It creates a sense of unity, belonging, and shared catharsis that can be incredibly powerful. We've seen people who might be shy in a one-on-one setting completely open up in a group because they see others doing the same. It’s a mirror, a support system, and an accelerator for healing. The energy is infectious, and it allows for a deeper release and a more profound sense of connection than most individuals can achieve on their own. It truly reminds us that we are all interconnected."
The Muse Circle membership fosters conscious living and creative expansion. What inspired you to create this community, and what have been some unexpected outcomes from members’ interactions?
Ayam & ChrisTala: "The inspiration for the Muse Circle came from a deep desire to create a consistent space for connection and growth beyond our events and music releases. We saw so many beautiful souls touching upon something profound during our workshops and concerts, but we wanted to offer a more sustained, accessible way for them to continue that journey. We wanted to build a true sanctuary where people could gather, share their struggles and triumphs, and support each other in their creative and conscious evolution.
As Muse Circle is a new branch within our work, we are still building up the community platform. And in some years, we want to look back on the beautiful, organic connections formed between members. It became more than just a membership; it's a living, breathing ecosystem of support and inspiration, and it constantly surprises us with its depth and warmth."
Following the release of your album Holy Shift, what’s next for Transformuse? Are there new sounds, collaborations, or multi-sensory projects you’re excited to explore?
Ayam & ChrisTala: Following the release of Holy Shift in November 2024, our focus is really on bringing its message and energy into the world through live experiences. We're incredibly excited about the launch of our monthly Music Temple Kassel events, a new project in Kassel, Germany. The vision for this space is to create a sober, conscious, and sacred environment for different musical and dance experiences—a "theater of possibilities" that weaves together art, music, and spiritual practices.
Creatively, we're always exploring new sonic territories, experimenting with different instruments and production techniques. We are actively collaborating with other producers and artists to bring more to our artistic and atmospheric message. We're particularly excited to be working with American producer and multi-instrumentalist DTO on a new song, and we are also collaborating with the American label High Vibe Records to release our songs.
We also have several collaborative projects in the works with other musical artists for live performances, with the dream and vision to integrate more performance art as part of the live experiences to bring the audience on a deeper visual journey. We are always searching for artistic collaborations to enrich our message.
The journey of transformation is ongoing, and we're thrilled to continue exploring it with you.
In your opinion, what makes an event truly “conscious”? How do you see platforms like Lumaya contributing to the space?
Ayam & ChrisTala: "For us, a truly 'conscious' event is held with intention, integrity, and a deep respect for all beings and the planet. It’s about creating a space where people feel safe, seen, and empowered to be their authentic selves. This means:
Clear Intentions: Setting a clear purpose for the gathering – be it healing, connection, celebration, or transformation.
Safe Container: Establishing clear guidelines (like our principles of barfuss, sober, consensual) that prioritize well-being and respect.
Mindful Facilitation: Having guides who can hold the energy, explain the process, and create a welcoming atmosphere for everyone, regardless of their experience level.
Authentic Expression: Encouraging people to move, sing, and express themselves freely, without judgment. We reach a hand and stay open for feedback and direct interactions.
Nourishing Elements: Offering healthy food, drinks, and a supportive environment that nurtures the body, mind, and spirit.
Platforms like Lumaya, or any platform dedicated to promoting conscious and holistic events, play a vital role. They act as vital hubs, connecting conscious creators with conscious seekers. By providing a space for discovery and information sharing, these platforms help to amplify the message of these events, making them more accessible to people who are actively looking for these experiences. They help build the ecosystem that supports a more conscious way of gathering and living.