Interruption: David Oblivion and Dublin's Unapologetic Hard Techno Revolution

In Dublin's ever-shifting electronic music landscape, where authenticity and a fierce DIY ethos are the true currencies, David, also known as David Oblivion, isn't just a producer or DJ, he's building a movement. As the driving force behind the Interruption collective and record label, David’s journey from punk rock to championing a global hard techno community is a testament to forging your own path and redefining the underground on your own terms.

David's musical education began not in a club, but at home, borrowing his older brother's CDs of The Prodigy, Chemical Brothers, and Fatboy Slim. This early taste of electronic energy later fused with his experience playing in punk and hardcore bands during his teens. The real turning point came around 2008, when the raw, bass-heavy sounds of dubstep pulled him into his first proper clubbing experiences at the legendary Strangeways night.

"This was my intro to techno," David recalls, citing the "weird crossover" of early Blawan, Pinch, and labels like Hessle Audio that emerged from the dubstep explosion. This discovery sent him spiraling down a “black hole of Discogs and YouTube listening,” a relentless deep dive into music history that eventually led him to the iconic Stay Up Forever label and the raw, unapologetic sound of UK acid techno. It wasn't just about finding new tracks; it was about uncovering the lineage, the pioneers, and the rebellious spirit that defined a genre. Each unearthed record or grainy video clip deepened his understanding of a culture built on independence and sonic rebellion. His passion became so intertwined with his life that he focused his social science dissertation on UK rave culture, cementing a lifelong dedication.

So, what was it about hard techno that captured him so completely? "Musically, I think it’s the energy that comes from it," he explains. “The driving, fast-paced drums and the uneasy sounding synths.” It's a sound that doesn't just fill a room; it commands it, pushing listeners with its relentless momentum and often industrial textures. For David, it’s a visceral experience, a sonic reflection of the raw power he first found in live punk shows. “I think it resonates with me too as the style I play and produce comes from the punk scene, so there’s a lot of cross-over with the DIY ethos that’s really important to me."

This ethos is the beating heart of Interruption. The project began as a club night, but David quickly grew tired of the stress and limitations inherent in Dublin’s challenging nightlife landscape. He paints a vivid picture of the pressure: "It was initially a club night but I quickly realised I wasn’t bothered doing that as it was more stress than it’s worth. In Ireland if you book a venue, firstly it’s mad expensive, you have the venue or booking manager hounding you asking how many tickets have been sold. Then you’re closing at 3am so there is little room to get creative."

This constant financial pressure and creative limitation was the catalyst that pushed him away from the traditional club model and toward true independence. He began producing his own music and decided to launch a label under the Interruption name to release it. Impatient to get started, he reached out to some of his favourite producers, and to his surprise, they were keen to be involved. "That shifted my initial plan of it being a label for my own music into something much better and more enjoyable."

This photo is by: https://www.instagram.com/dave.photo.art/

The most tangible reward has been seeing the label earn the respect of his own heroes. "Having the likes of Chris Liberator, Concrete DJz, Patrick DSP and other real OGs in the techno scene in the discography is something I’m very proud of," he states. For him, it’s a vital connection, allowing Interruption to release their music and "hopefully show it to a new, younger audience," bridging the gap between the pioneers of the sound and the new generation on the dancefloor.

The other crucial element of this independence is sound system culture, an idea that took root during his time living in Bristol, where he witnessed powerhouse sound systems like Irritant, Kaotik, and Jigsore throwing regular free parties with fierce autonomy. A seed was planted. Back in Dublin, owning your own rig became the ultimate key to freedom. "If you have a sound system, you can set up anywhere, a function room of a GAA club, a skatepark, a forest," he notes. "The initial investment is obviously expensive but it’s worth it to have the sense of freedom you get."

While the Interruption ethos is fiercely "Do It Yourself," David is quick to credit the support network that made it possible, proving that DIY doesn't mean doing it alone. When building his sound system, he relied on his friend's expertise: "One of my best mates, Ben, is a wizard with anything audio, so he helped me to learn," he recalls. Likewise, getting the label off the ground was made possible by a key collaborator. "My distributor definitely played a vital role in helping it get set up properly at the beginning and he was very helpful when I was wrecking his head with a million questions."

This photo is by: https://www.instagram.com/dave.photo.art/

This hard-won autonomy comes with its own set of demands. “The main challenges are the initial costs of buying it, nothing is cheap and if you buy cheap amps or anything else, it will affect the overall sound, so it was a big investment. The main challenge is transporting and setting up in spaces that haven’t got the best access. Our setup weighs quite a bit so it can be rough setting it up sometimes.”

After a year of acquiring parts and learning the technical side, David’s own PA system came to life. "Having my own PA has opened up a lot of new doors for me and my mates to play and do some unusual things," he says, pointing to their involvement in Culture Night last year as a highlight. "Being able to give people an experience that they don’t really see much of in Dublin is probably the best part of it."

This community-centric approach is anchored by a core crew of resident DJs who are the lifeblood of Interruption's events. "I’ve got our usuals who play," David notes, listing off names like "Scidley Rott, Lyndz, GVX, Ryan Wildstyle, Cinquedea and a few more." This solidifies the idea that Interruption is a true collective, not just a brand.

The Interruption brand is as thought-provoking as its sound is intense. Its recurring visual motifs, primarily the spiral and television logo, were initially crafted by UK artist Kitty. However, David, who began learning Photoshop when Interruption started, has since taken full ownership of the visual identity, personally designing all the artwork and flyers. Influenced by the film Videodrome and the general dystopian effect of media, the brand's core statement is profound. “The spiral inside the television is a metaphor for the constant dopamine hit we’ve found ourselves seeking out and the state of distraction we sometimes find ourselves in,” David explains. This cohesive visual style, with its raw, xerox-inspired aesthetic, firmly connects the brand to its punk and underground roots.

What began as a personal project has blossomed into a global network. "It’s gone from initially being a style of music that I enjoyed to now feeling like a worldwide network of people who share similar values," he reflects. "I’ve now got friends from South America, Japan, Serbia, Canada and more, all because we all enjoy this same thing."

The vision for Interruption is clear and potent. "I would love for Interruption to be an example for younger people that doing things yourself is an option and you don’t need to wait around for promotors, venues or labels to get your music or art out there," David states.

Looking ahead, the plan is to keep pushing. With record number nine on the way and upgrades planned for the sound system, the interruption is far from over.

For anyone in Dublin's underground scene feeling constrained by the status quo, David and Interruption are a powerful reminder that with enough passion, grit, and a few well-chosen speaker cabinets, you can forge your own path and build a community that resonates far beyond the dancefloor.

🚨 Interruption #10 is on the way, stay locked! Until then, run up Interruption #9 and keep the underground alive. Hit the Linktree below for all releases & make sure you follow the Interruption Network so you don’t miss a beat. 🔊🔥

Follow David and Interruption's journey, hear their music, and support their work via the links below:

David (Oblivion): https://linktr.ee/David__oblivion

Interruption: https://linktr.ee/interruption