The Breakdown

'The Breakdown' is a podcast series charting a journey through thirty years of Irish electronic dance music, where Irish producers revrelive inspirational moments and reveal creative insights behind some of their biggest tracks.

Listen at https://www.rte.ie/radio/2fm/the-breakdown/

Episode 1 takes a look at some of the Irish pioneers of electronic music in the early 90’s. We get an insight into some of earliest Irish productions of Acid house with Dave McDonnoll of Bumble; we learn about the saturation of the breakbeat sound with Mr Spring, one half of legendary Irish dance act Sound Crowd; and Zero T takes us through one of his earliest Drum and Bass productions.

In Episode 2 we talk to some producers who enjoyed success around the turn of the millennium. Chris Agnew, of Trance duo Agnelli & Nelson, reveals the story behind their chart topping track ‘El Nino’; Shane Johnson, from legendary Cork duo Fish Go Deep, breaks down his approach to sampling with one of their early house productions; Rob Rowland explains how his first release with Dublin independent techno label D1 records came about; and techno star Matador walks us through some early 00’s minimal techno.

Episode 3 focuses on Irish electronic productions from the late 00’s and early 2010’s. We learn about the aesthetic of the electroclash scene from duo Arveene & Misk; Mano le Tough explains how moving to Berlin influenced his deep melodic house sound; Sias gives an insight into the creation of his garage-tinged breakthrough track, and Or;La talks us through how key musical experiences fed into the development of her UK Bass-influenced music.

Episode 4 features some Irish producers who have stood out in their respective fields more recently. Bicep break down their global hit ‘Glue’; Bobby Analog analyzes the construction of his biggest house record to date; Tommy Holohan talks us through his 90s rave-inspired heavy techno beats; and Syn draws on international influences for her Hard Drum sound.