Max HeyraudSJUSH is riding the wave of acclaim from his landmark debut on SPFDJ’s boundary-pushing techno label, Intrepid Skin, where he continues to blend gritty Dublin eclecticism with Berlin’s minimal, brooding club sensibilities.
Dublin native, now based in Berlin, SJUSH is still basking in the glory of his landmark debut on global techno heavy-hitter SPFDJ’s label, Intrepid Skin, a label that has previously hosted a multitude of contemporary techno vanguards, from VTSS to Schacke and Nene H. The label has long been a space for rule-breakers: artists who reject the rigid frameworks that often govern techno. Here, conventions die, and artists like SJUSH turn them on their head.
SJUSH embodies a rebellious spirit, living and creating beyond convention. He is equally at home in the chill-out rooms of grimey clubs as he is in the studio, embracing chaos with remarkable ease. As he explains in our conversation, he studies deeply how music is presented in clubs, soaking in every nuance. From the eclectic, somewhat haywired influences of his Dublin techno upbringing—rough around the edges, full of character and soul—to the precision and long-form artistry of Berlin, SJUSH has absorbed the city’s unique approach to club culture, where techno is often distilled to minimalism, tenacity, and a brooding darkness. He has harnessed these elements, shaken them like a potent cocktail, and fused them with the creative clutch that Berlin still guards so fiercely, continuing to forge a sound that refuses comfort.
So, how are you feeling about the Intrepid Skin release?
Amazing. It’s something I’ve been working towards for the last couple of years, so it’s a bit surreal to finally see it come out & hold the record in my hands!
You’ve been working hard for many years now, somewhat behind the scenes to some degree. Do you feel vindicated landing on an established label like Intrepid Skin?
Definitely, I’ve been following Intrepid Skin for years, and I’m a huge fan of every artist that’s released with Intrepid Skin, so it’s such a lovely feeling to now be a part of that family.
How did the relationship with SPFDJ first form, and how did that build into making a record?
I’ve been sending her tracks since 2022, & we’ve always had a bit of a back & forth. Since we first started talking, an Intrepid Skin release was in the back of my mind, but it wasn’t until mid-2023 that we actually spoke about it. Since then, she got first dibs on all my unreleased until we had the full EP set in stone.
Was the EP made at a certain time? The tracks have a certain sound aesthetic that sounds like they were crafted during a specific period.
Apart from “Miffed”, they were all made shortly after I arrived in Berlin. In that time, I was going to so many events, and the amount of inspiration & drive I had was insane. I wanted to push my sound and make crazier, wonkier tracks while still somewhat staying true to the classic heavy driving techno sound. I also think the grittiness of these initial Berlin clubbing experiences can be heard throughout the EP.
The press release says the record is “influenced in part by the eclecticism of the Dublin scene.” Can you expand on that?
I think due to the short licensing hours and set times in Dublin, along with people in general being a lot less worried about what exactly techno is, a lot of Dublin DJs tend to play a variety of styles and genres in their sets. And because of the short set times, the switching between styles happens pretty fast. This EP, along with most of my productions, aims to mix elements from different genres to make something a bit fresh & unique.
On the other hand, you’ve been living in Berlin for the last while, how has the city influenced your music?
I think the biggest influence Berlin has had on my music is that it’s made me realise that sometimes less is more. My productions are quite full-on & lead/synth heavy, and since coming here, I’ve been trying to focus on not relying so much on a single lead hook but rather making a more complete track. I still make lots of lead-heavy tracks, though, but when I do, they feel more complete (to me at least). Other than that, life in general here definitely puts me in a more creative headspace, although it can also get in the way sometimes.
Your style of techno is somewhat niche in terms of the general output of music in the techno scene as of late. Would I be right in saying that, and if so, how does that affect you as an artist?
Yeah, I would agree. I think in recent years the divide between groovy and heavy techno has become quite pronounced, with fans usually firmly on one side or the other. I feel my music sits somewhere in between. There are obviously plenty of other artists who fall in that middle ground, but for the majority, it’s one or the other. Naturally, this means my music doesn’t resonate with as many people as it may have 5-10 years ago, but I feel that maybe it makes it more special for the people it does resonate with.
How’s the feedback been? Have you had the chance to hear the tracks on big sound systems yet, and how did that feel, if so?
Feedback’s been great so far. Really happy with how much love the broken beat tracks have received. I expected people to vibe more with the techno tracks, so it’s lovely that the others are getting a lot of love too. I’ve been fortunate enough to have heard them out quite a few times by now, before and after the release. Most notable would be hearing 5AM On The U8 on the Robus floor in RSO, that track on that soundsystem in that room is a match made in heaven. I’ve managed to hear it both on the dancefloor & behind the booth, each time was such a sick experience.
What’s a day in the studio look like for you?
Every day is different, to be honest. I’ve no dedicated studio space at the moment, so I pretty much just open the laptop whenever I have the time. I also like to have at least a couple of tracks going at the same time that I can switch between to keep things fresh for myself.
What are your plans going forward?
I’ve a couple of exciting upcoming releases, one is a remix I’ve done for Frankie Watch on Billie Jo’s label, Shivers & the other is for a vinyl VA on one of Ireland’s sickest labels. Other than that, the plan is to keep working on releases & mixes, I’m looking to get a lot more music out there in the future.
