Max HeyraudWe’ve teamed up with CUPRA to speak with some of Ireland’s leading electronic music talent, this time catching up with Kule ahead of the CUPRA On The Pulse DJ competition, an initiative spotlighting the next wave of Irish talent.
Kule has broken through as one of Ireland’s most exciting DJs and producers, building an already decorated CV of achievements. His tracks have been supported by the likes of Tiësto, KETTAMA, Skin On Skin, and Effy, marking a rapid rise from grassroots beginnings to global recognition. What started as rough, DIY works-in-progress uploaded to SoundCloud has evolved into a standout success story, with industry heavyweights now championing his sound. It’s a journey that feels firmly etched in gold.
Kule’s productions carry a real sense of weight and intent; he’s never been one to make tools or filler. Each release lands with impact, often taking on anthem status, and the support reflects that. Expect colossal piano chords, punishing synth lines, and euphoric soundscapes that sit somewhere between house and techno, with flashes of trance and garage layered throughout.
More recently, he’s brought that same high-energy sound to dancefloors across Ireland, with standout sets at Wigwam, Dolan’s, Monroe’s, and Index, further cementing his reputation as a must-watch artist.
You can enter the CUPRA On The Pulse competition here.
Tell us about your first ever gig, where was it and what was it like?
My first ever gig was a b2b at a Techno Tuesday in UL. I joined the DJ Society shortly after I’d gotten my first set of decks and was quite involved in the society for a while. I think it’s a really great way for anyone starting to get experience and meet people with a shared interest in music.
I remember that for my first Techno Tuesday, it was student election week, so it was really busy. The crowd was mad, and there were even people up on other people’s shoulders by the end. A few of my mates came down too, which was really nice.
My first club show was on support for Kyle Starkey at an Equinox event. It was really nice to be able to share a lineup with Kyle again recently in Dolans. Certainly a nice reminder of how far I’ve come.
What is the biggest lesson you learnt over the years, since you started your DJ journey?
I think early on, I had a tendency to overthink my sets a bit, and I would need to have a set list planned. However, I’ve learned over the years that it’s much more important for me to be in the moment. Once I start to think about what to play and not just feel what’s right for the moment, the quality and enjoyment of what I’m doing drops instantly.
What would you say to a DJ about to play their very first set?
My biggest piece of advice would be to play music you love. The crowd will always feed off that. If you’re nervous, the advice I got before my first gig was to plan your first 3 songs or so. That way, you know you have time to get over those initial nerves and get into your rhythm.
What’s the one thing you know now that you wish you’d known when you first started your DJ journey?
I think I knew at the start how important it would be to put myself out there, go to as many events as possible and talk to as many people as I could. I’d say that it’s actually more important than what I initially thought. Some of the most memorable shows I’ve played have come about from having a relationship with another DJ or the promoter. I’m not saying that it’s the most important thing, the music will always come first, but the relationships and friendships you build play a big part, too.
How different was your taste in music compared to now?
I would say it hasn’t really changed too drastically. I’m always discovering new music and writing new music, but some of the tracks I played starting out, I still play today. My sound has probably just become a bit more refined over the years.
Who was your biggest influence when you were starting out?
At the very beginning, my friend Jack was a huge influence. He’s actually one of the reasons I moved into electronic music production and started to DJ. He was the one who initially encouraged me to try making house music, and he even brought me to pick up my first set of decks that I bought off Facebook Marketplace.
Production-wise, I’m obviously heavily influenced by people like Mall Grab and Skin On Skin, but also by my time producing rap beats. Back then, I always wanted to be able to make beats like Pierre Bourne, and I can still see some influences from him in my music, too. I also draw a lot of inspiration from the older hip hop and RnB I listen to.
