The producer behind one of the year’s best techno albums steps up for FACT Mix #397.

Originally trained as a classical double bassist, Christelle ‘Stellar OM Source’ Gualdi spent 2009-2011 releasing CD-R albums and small-run vinyl singles, and was largely lumped in with the American underground synth community that included Emeralds and Oneohtrix Point Never. Often, in fact – such as the majority of 2009′s Heartland’s Suite – her music was beatless. Recent years have seen her become more interested in house and techno, and although she’s far from the only one – underground America’s fit to burst with artists taking cues from labels like Future Times and L.I.E.S. at the moment – this year’s album Joy One Mile wiped the floor with most of the competition.