DJ Phonic, aka, Aaron O’Shea, is a Club DJ and Live Remixer currently making waves on the Irish club circuit.
He tells us about the songs that shaped his musical outlook.
Who Let The Dogs Out – Baha Men
After a good and hard think over one of the first songs I ever sang too, it would have to be ‘Who Let The Dogs Out’ by Baha Men.
Yes, I was born into a generation of Powerhouse Cheese! Nothing could beat that addictive chorus and the mixture of reggae basslines combined with that nasty breakbeat.
I remember being in the back of my mom’s car screaming the lyrics with not a worry in the world, heading back to the Maherees with a packed lunch and a boogie-board in hand.
Those really were the days.
Concrete Schoolyard – Jurassic 5
By the age of 13 I had taken a complete U-Turn from the cheesy chart music and moved onto underground hip hop.
The likes of Jurassic 5, were hugely influential to me. I discovered the art of sampling and how old tracks were being remixed so easily.
I remember watching an old Youtube video of Mark Potsic (DJ Nu-Mark) using a MPC 2000 and sampling an orchestral piece.
I was hooked the minute after and I remember Christmas of that year, I begged my mom to get me a AKAI Drum Machine.
My favourite track by Jurassic 5 would have to have been Concrete School Yard.
Funky Drummer – James Brown
One of the most sampled breaks of all time, it’s hard for any self-respecting hip-hop head to hear the heavily compressed drums that flow throughout this James Brown signature without thinking of Public Enemy (“Bring the Noise,” “Rebel Without a Pause”), Boogie Down Productions (“South Bronx”), LL Cool J (“Mama Said Knock You Out”) and other unforgettable rap moments.
After going through my mad sampling phase, it would be sinful not to mention this unmistakabe James Brown breakbeat.
I’m Yours – Jason Mraz
The year I learned to play guitar was a big change for me.
From listening to heavy hip hop to moving towards laid back acoustic tracks was a bit of a shock for both me and my parents who were used to me screaming some intense 16 bar verses up in my room.
I remember a good friend of mine Fiachra O’Connor, showing me how to play ”I’m Yours” by Jason Mraz on guitar.
That whole summer we just played that one track jamming out in his back shed with his drum kit trying to make the best sound we could.
Technologic – Daft Punk
The day I discovered Technologic by Daft Punk was the day I was hooked on house music.
I remember that French four-to-the-floor just making me want to dance.
I’ll never forget running into Roxy Records to buy ‘Human After All” and playing it until I knew every riff and melody like the back of my hand.
I can say, hands down, it was that album that got me to start DJ’ing.
Silvio Ecomo & Chuckie – Moombah (Afrojack Remix)
I hold this song very close to my heart.
It was the opening song to my very first gig during the Rose Of Tralee.
I can recall stepping up onto the stage and nobody taking much notice of who I was, my legs were like spaghetti and I was terrified of what people would think of me.
The minute I dropped that track on the Square Stage everyone erupted.
Two thousand people in front of me and I was making them dance. It was that moment that I knew I had to DJ forever more.
There was no better feeling then everyone shouting my name and having the crowd in the palm of my hand.
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