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Influences: Steve O’Sullivan

 
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Having first scored a great, uncanny valley of his own into the dystopian landscape of techno in the 90s with the chaotic and startlingly progressive ‘Deux’, Steve O’Sullivan is now perhaps best known as an architect of a groove-focussed strain of dub techno that makes dancefloor imposition a matter of priority. Most recently releasing a collaborative EP with Deepchord founder Mike Schommer, O’Sullivan now enjoys a comfortable position atop techno’s family tree

Ahead of his appearance at OFFSónar, we took some time to find out what inspires the Mosaic founder the way he’s inspired so many…

 

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Rhythim Is Rhythim - Icon (Montage Mix)

One of the most perfect techno tracks ever produced. It truly does represent everything that the first wave of Detroit techno stood for back in the early 90s – soulful, emotional , full of groove and futuristic. One of those tunes that sounds perfect at home, on the beach or at the tail end of a good night out.

  • Rhythim Is Rhythim - Icon (Montage Mix)

    One of the most perfect techno tracks ever produced. It truly does represent everything that the first wave of Detroit techno stood for back in the early 90s – soulful, emotional , full of groove and futuristic. One of those tunes that sounds perfect at home, on the beach or at the tail end of a good night out.

  • The Aztec Mystic - Knights Of The Jaguar

    There aren’t many techno tracks that can beat this for energy and all round vibe. No matter how many times I hear this it always puts a smile on my face and when those strings come in I can guarantee the goosebumps will start to show.

  • Dj Skull - Stomping Grounds ( 1993 )

    I’ve always been a sucker for a good solid Chicago rhythm and this trackky groover from DJ Skull (aka Ron Maney) never gets old.

  • Paul Johnson - Feel My M.F. Bass

    Selecting an individual tune from a track machine like Paul Johnson isn’t easy. His Relief releases such as ‘Just Whistle’ and ‘The Music in Me’ were biggies for me and ones that helped shape my sound when I was starting out. I guess he taught me that you can make music out of limitations and that’s what I love about his trax: pure, minimal, dancefloor-focussed trax without any pretension.

  • Strong Souls - Hums

    Another Chicago-flavoured trackky groover that captures the spirit of minimal techno/house perfectly. No pointless 32 bar breakdowns or white noise risers are needed when a groove is assembled as perfectly as this.

  • The Todd Terry Project - Bango (To The Batmobile)

    Raw, sample heavy house music that even after 30 years still works like a charm. It’s probably hard to appreciate now but at the time, making music out of other people’s music was pretty impressive.

  • Gregory Isaacs - Rumours (12" Hit Mix)

    I couldn’t compile an influences piece without a reggae number and this Gussie Clarke produced classic from Gregory Isaacs is a big one. One of those instantly recognisable basslines that always raises a smile and a solid head nod.

  • New Order - Your Silent Face

    A classic album track from one of my favourite bands and one that I was obsessed with in my teens.

    For me, this is one of the best examples of what made peak period New Order so unique and set them apart from all the other bands who adopted synthesisers in the 80s.

    The combination of the machine made music with the fragility of the vocals really gives the track a human and emotional edge and there’s the riff of all riffs. Simple, minimal but right up my street.