Max HeyraudWe caught up with Fionn Curran to chat about his latest release “GIVE ME LUV”, the Galway scene, his love for house and more.
Since first breaking onto the scene with raw, club-driven cuts like “Shuk” and “Rocks,” the Galway-born producer has quietly carved out a space at the intersection of melodic depth and percussive weight. Curran’s latest release, GIVE ME LUV, marks a confident return to that heavier house lineage, a style that once pulled him onto dark, low-ceilinged dancefloors and still forms the backbone of their creative process today.
In this conversation, Fionn reflects on early inspirations, the influence of local icons like KETTAMA, and the evolving pulse of the Irish underground. It’s a look back and a step forward, channelling the past through a sharper, more seasoned lens.
I’ve just had a listen to your latest single, “GIVE ME LUV.” It seems like a nod to the housier side of your music. Would I be right in saying that?
Yeah, 100%. It’s definitely a nod to that side of my sound. I’ve always had a soft spot for that heavier, chunky house style as it’s what first pulled me into clubs and production in the first place. It felt really natural to dive back into that world and just have fun with it again.
The track feels like a move back toward your early influences in club culture. What’s drawn you to revisit that period for inspiration?
Honestly, it happened pretty naturally. I was digging through some old playlists one day, listening to tracks I used to rinse when I first started going out at 18/1,9 and it just lit something up in me. That deep house, heavier drum sound was such a big part of those early nights, and hearing it again just made me want to make tunes that captured that feeling.
Being from Galway, I know KETTAMA was a big influence during the early stages of your career. “GIVE ME LUV” feels like it carries some of those early KETTAMA undertones. Would you agree?
Yes definitely. KETTAMA was a massive inspiration for me when I first started out. I used to watch him play at Carbon in Galway when I was only just getting into the scene, and it was mad inspiring seeing someone local smash it like that. Even the kick drum on “GIVE ME LUV” I actually made it when I was still learning how to produce, trying to get that big, raw kick sound he had in his early tracks.
Looking back at some of your earlier tracks like “Shuk” and “Rocks,” it feels like this new single is a return to that sound. What memories come to mind from making those songs? Life must have been quite different for you then, just starting out on the music scene.
Yes, mad times. When I made “Shuk” and “Rocks”, I wasn’t overthinking anything; I was just making tunes because I loved it. I definitely hear the connection between those tracks and “GIVE ME LUV” just with a bit more polish now. It’s fun to tap back into that energy, but bring everything I’ve learned since then into it too.
When we spoke in 2023, you mentioned a “longing from crowds for more melody-centred music, which is sometimes lacking on dancefloors.” Do you think that’s still the case now, or have you noticed a shift?
Yeah, so back in 202,3 there was a huge hunger for more melody-led stuff, and honestly I think that’s just kept growing. Especially in Ireland, you’re hearing so many different sounds now with loads of melodic stuff cutting through. It’s mad how much it’s shifted even in the last year or two, but it’s definitely a good thing, I think.
How are you feeling about the Irish music scene in general? You play quite a lot here, so I imagine you’ve got a good sense of how it’s evolving.
It’s in a really good place. The crowds are so open now, and they’re up for hearing different styles, different tempos, different energies. It wasn’t always like that when I first started going out, so to see it now, it’s super exciting. There’s a real buzz around the scene at the moment.
Are you keeping tabs on the Galway scene at all these days?
Yeah, for sure. Galway’s absolutely thriving at the minute. There are loads of collectives doing their thing with loads of new DJs coming through. I’ve got people sending me tunes every week, which is class to see and a lot of talent bubbling up here.
And finally, do you have any plans over the coming months that you can share with us?
I’m buzzing for the summer. Got a load of new tracks lined up all in a similar vein to “GIVE ME LUV” and I’m proper excited to get them out. Have some really cool shows coming up in places like Ibiza, Magaluf, Tenerife, Kavos, and even Vancouver, Canada (to be announced). Can’t wait!