# Russian Circles Guitarist Mike Sullivan on Loop-Based Music

> Mike Sullivan explains how Russian Circles' loop-based post-metal music strips away complexity for emotional impact.
- Title: Russian Circles Guitarist Mike Sullivan on Loop-Based Music
- Summary: Mike Sullivan explains how Russian Circles' loop-based post-metal music strips away complexity for emotional impact. Russian Circles guitarist Mike Sullivan…
- Keywords: russian circles, mike sullivan, loop-based music, post-metal, guitarist, tuning, heaviness, empath, Russian, Circles, Mike, Sullivan
- Source: Guitar World — https://guitarworld.com/artists/guitarists/russian-circles-mike-sullivan-nine
- Published: 2026-10-20T13:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: russian circles, mike sullivan, loop-based music, post-metal, guitarist, tuning, heaviness, empath
## First Practice in 2004
Mike Sullivan and Dave Turncrantz started Russian Circles after high school in St. Louis, Missouri.
## No Preconceived Style
Sullivan recalls their first practice produced a song that informed the band's hypnotic, cinematic identity.
## Stripping Away Complexity
Sullivan describes Russian Circles' writing process as stripping away the 'funny business' for the 'meat and potatoes'.
## Classical Influence
Sullivan cites John Williams' Mikis Theodorakis: Epitafios No. 3 as a classically expressive piece he loves.
## Dissonance for Emotion
Sullivan uses dissonance in Empath to evoke visceral responses before the catchy riff returns.
## Tuning Strategy
Sullivan adjusts one string up or down almost every song using super-floppy strings 11 to 58.
## Guitar Setup
Sullivan uses a green Dunable Gnarwhal with mahogany body and maple top for his current guitar.
## Pedal Board
Sullivan uses a variety of pedals including a Metal Zone, DigiTech Drop, and Strymon TimeLine.
## Key takeaway

Russian Circles guitarist Mike Sullivan uses minimal tunings and loops to create heavy, emotive music without overcomplicating.