GAINING the respect of analytical underground techno fans is no mean feat, and it would be fair to say that there aren’t many who deserve that respect more than Dublin DJ and producer Sunil Sharpe.
Sharpe is one of the stalwarts of the Irish techno scene but his blisteringly intense sets have also seen him play at some of Europe’s most iconic clubs and festivals – tomorrow, the technically gifted DJ plays at Glastonbury festival.
During the 90s, dance music, or 'rave music' was very much a part of pop culture, and Sharpe said that he, like many other young people, quite naturally gravitated towards what was then a new phenomenon.
“It was the explosion of rave music in the mainstream, and it was hard for any kids like myself to miss that,” he said.
“For me there was a lot of things coming together at once; it was the music, but in some equal parts the visual aspect of rave, or dance music that was really drawing me in. It’s hard to describe, but it was just like something grabbing me. It just took me over.”
Despite becoming interested in dance music at an early age, Sharpe didn't start DJ’ing until the latter half of the 90s. He is now a professional DJ, record label owner, RTÉ presenter, and DJ tutor at a third-level institution, but he explained that he was quite patient in learning his craft.
“I kind of wanted to wait until I felt that I was at a decent level,” he told Scene. “I guess it’s a bit of advice that I try to give to a lot of people is not to rush out there. For me, I had a good three or four years of practising before I actually started playing out in clubs.”
Having started off doing small house parties and after-parties in Dublin, Sharpe soon became a regular feature at clubs in his hometown. His abilities are undeniable but he is keen to give credit to those who helped him along the way, including legendary local DJ, François.
“He was someone who I really admired back then,” he said. “He was one of the first people to give me a little bit of a break – him and his girlfriend at the time Louise Mahon, who promoted some gigs with François. Both of them recommended me to other promoters, and I found myself getting some gigs quite unexpectedly.
"Such was their character that they didn’t want to take credit for it, but I later found out and I’ll always have a lot of respect and love for François and Louise for being so supportive to me back then.”
The techno scene in Ireland, and indeed globally, has changed immensely since Sharpe’s career began – in the main for the better, he believes.
“I think it’s at the best that it has been in a long time,” he said. “Certainly it’s very positive for techno. I think one of the things that perhaps goes in techno and house’s favour is that there hasn’t been another genre that has come along and flipped things, and to take people’s attention away.”
Attracting the attention of a wider audience has no doubt created a healthy and vibrant techno scene. However, Sharpe stressed that those involved must not allow the genre to stagnate.
“When something becomes quite mass produced everyone’s trying to make the same sound,” he said. “It demonstrates a lack of ambition, and a lack of risk taking. That’s not always too healthy. I think sometimes the variety in techno can be a little bit limited – I’ve said it for a long time. I do feel there could be a bit more of a range of stuff getting released, considering how broad a genre techno can be."
He's not complaining, though. "This comes with the territory of things being popular – I accept that. But I do feel the responsibility is with DJs, not just the music makers, and how they represent techno, and how they represent any of this music.”
When it comes to DJ sets, Sharpe feels it's important to play a variety of tracks.
“One of the reasons for playing a diverse set or playing a set with variety is to keep your set dynamic, so as not to tire people out. People don't have to move in the exact same way for the whole night,” he said.
His own sets feature a variety of techno, electro, breaks and other electronic genres which makes for an exciting display. However, something has remained constant throughout his DJ’ing career: his relentless vinyl-only sets.
“It’s intrinsically linked with my DJ style,” he said. “I’m sorry, I do not give a f**k – they are the best way of playing this music. They’re the most real way of playing this music – everybody knows it. It’s as true as the two arms we have; it’s as true as the two legs we have.”
Earlier this month Sharpe performed at the hugely successful AVA festival in Belfast. He regularly performs in cities throughout Europe, but thinks Belfast has the most energetic crowds.
“It’s actually a topic of conversation, about where the crowd is the wildest or the rowdiest, or where the atmosphere is the strongest, and at the moment it’s Belfast, and it always kind of was in a sense.”
Talking about his performance at Glastonbury he said: “It’s nice to play at Glasonbury. It has never been a festival that has been on my radar much as somewhere that I would’ve gone to. It’s more than a legendary festival. it’s one of the most well known and most celebrated festivals that there are.
“This year has been a little bit of a turning point. I’ve got to play more festivals outside of Ireland, and for Glastonbury to be one of those is something I’m really happy with.”
:: For more info on Sunil Sharpe and his record labels, earwiggle, and On the Hoof, see: facebook.com/sunilsharpemusic earwiggle.bandcamp.com.
