Influences: Zodiac Childs

Music

Through his own productions and the releases on his Zodiac Wax imprint, Zodiac Childs channels the spirit of UK hardcore; sonically leaning on the sounds of electro, classic breaks and techno. He launched the label last year as a platform for his own productions as well as those of talented artists operating in a similar musical sphere; the second release showcased tracks from Ninechecker, 1210, HOJ and Houses of Joy.

His newest mixtape, A Simple Tale, is the story of where an obsession with electronic music began, an exercise in documenting a feeling and an energy, rather than guided by specfic genres. Post mixtape release and in anticipation of the his second EP, 'Future Primitive', coming out this October, we asked him to share the tracks that have inspired him along the way…

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Dave Clarke - Protective Custody

Taken from the first of Dave Clarke’s ‘Red’ series of releases. Red 2 is an amazing release but it’s all about Red 1, in particular this track. Raw, driving stripped backed techno from the ‘Baron’. When the toms drop towards the end of the track on a loud system it’s devastating.

Dave Clarke - Protective Custody

Taken from the first of Dave Clarke’s ‘Red’ series of releases. Red 2 is an amazing release but it’s all about Red 1, in particular this track. Raw, driving stripped backed techno from the ‘Baron’. When the toms drop towards the end of the track on a loud system it’s devastating.
Music For 18 Musicians, By Steve Reich

‘Stunning, Hypnotising, Mesmerising, Mind-blowing’; I can honestly say this is a masterpiece and has to be seen live. True musical minimalism. A 56 minute composition made up of loops played by 18 musicians (that’s quite a primitive description but it is what it is). Check the link for the full performance.
Ben Klock - Coney Island

Kind of cheating here as I’ve chosen Klock’s album One. Melodic, hypnotic, dark, disturbing yet with elements of real beauty: all the elements that really get me when it comes to techno. An album I always go back to, here’s the first track.
Eutow - Tri Repetae - Autechre

Taken from their 1995 album ‘Tri Repetae’. This is just one of many Autechre tracks that could have been chosen. Since first hearing and buying ‘Cavity Job’ their music continues to leave me dumbfounded and quite often in a state of confusion.
Stasis - Artifax - Likemind

Hard to choose from this mega EP. Let’s go for Stasis “Artifax”. I mentioned that real beauty is something I love in techno. This track sums up ‘beautiful’ techno.
Who Got Da Props (Evil Dee's Deadly Mix)

Condensed raw emotion with a killer beat (exactly the same ingredients I associate with techno and electro). So much amazing hip hop to choose but this is the one that made it to the list.
Dopplereffekt - Voice Activated

Makes your body want to jerk like you’re on a bucking bronco. Stone cold freaky electro.
Release - Dance In Eden (Original)

1992 summertime Hardcore track from Release and a proper classic in my opinion. What more do you need… straight into full on rave stabs and powerful drums, followed by a euphoric dreamy breakdown, and then straight back into the barrage of stabs and drums. Essentially, the sound of thousands of people going berserk.