Staff WriterWe’ve teamed up with CUPRA to speak with some of Ireland’s leading electronic music talent, this time catching up with Surka about her early career ahead of the CUPRA On The Pulse DJ competition, an initiative spotlighting the next wave of Irish talent.
Dublin-based Surka has quickly become one of the hottest-tipped names on the Irish club scene. She’s built an impressive festival résumé, with appearances at Electric Picnic, All Together Now, and Beyond The Pale, alongside standout high-profile shows such as New Year’s Eve performances at the iconic Slane Castle and the RDS. Last year marked a major milestone, with debut sets not only in Ireland but also internationally in Berlin and Colombia.
Her sound is a reflection of years spent on both sides of the booth, as a DJ and a dancer. Since her first gig in 2016, she has honed a style shaped by a wide range of influences, going on to support some of the world’s most respected names in electronic music, including Todd Terry, Orbital, andCaribou. The result is a dynamic and expansive sound that moves fluidly through deep, chugging, jackin’, and progressive textures, capturing the many shades of house music that Surka now confidently commands.
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 in 2016 at the Wiley Fox (now known as the SoundHouse). I played back-to-back with another pal of mine. It was my first time playing on decks and not vinyl players, so it was extremely challenging, definitely a lot of clanging done, but the atmosphere was still on fire, and the crowd were lit, so we got through it. Far from ideal, it did put me off performing publicly for a while, but I continued to love music and to explore and hone my sound until I was confident enough to try again. It was always my love of music that kept me going throughout.
When I got the chance to play again, I was completely ready, and that’s where I needed to be. My “comeback” gig in the scene was in Dashi in 2023 for HotHouse. It was a sexy little basement underneath a restaurant in Stonybatter. It completely reignited my love for the scene and playing music, and I am honestly so grateful for it.
What is the biggest lesson you learnt over the years, since you started your DJ journey?
The biggest lesson I have learned is always to keep your mind open. As I mentioned, my sound changed completely over the years. I never saw it evolve the way it did, but I let it happen by keeping an open mind (and ear!) and not limiting myself to one genre. All the experiences I had living abroad in Berlin and travelling all over the world definitely shaped my sound today.
What would you say to a DJ about to play their very first set?
I’d say to them to enjoy it as much as they can. It can be super daunting and slightly scary to begin with, but it honestly goes so fast. (hello set times in Ireland!) It is such a unique experience to play music for people and to have that sort of influence on their night out dancing, and it is such a special opportunity. Don’t worry about set times or how many people will be there; there is an art to curating a warm-up set, and they are still some of my favourites to play.
What’s the one thing you know now that you wish you’d known when you first started your DJ journey?
I wish I had trusted my own taste sooner. The sets that work best are the ones where you stop trying to impress other DJs and play what you genuinely love.
Also, know your tracks. It doesn’t matter how many you have if you don’t know them. Take the time to enjoy and listen to them, and then you can play them in any order, and it works. Always be prepared for a few curveballs, too; they can be set-defining.
How different was your taste in music then compared to now?
It was completely different! I started off playing techno. Acid, Detroit, industrial, mainly, still have massive love for it, but during the COVID pandemic, I noticed a shift in what I liked to listen to and to play. Being inside during the lockdowns completely changed my style; it made me slow down and reflect more, and I really found my sound. Also, collecting records and attending various events abroad have shaped it into what it is today.
Who was your biggest influence when you were starting out?
I’ve always really admired DJs like Moxie, especially through her NTS show and artists like Saoirse, Shanti Celeste and Peach. They all bring something different, but they’re amazing at building a set and really understanding a room. Seeing them play abroad as part of SASS was a big moment for me and, honestly, very influential. Hunee is another huge influence, too, just for the freedom and joy in his sets and how effortlessly he moves across genres.
