Talk about getting your wires crossed! The first time I heard about Fin Furey was when Love/Hate star Robert Sheehan emailed me last year to say he’d just directed a music video for the up-and-coming musician over in Canada.
I automatically presumed Robert was talking about the legendary Finbar Furey and it only clicked that he meant Jnr. when I later watched the video!
Fin has been gigging away in Canada for the last few years, but you’ll soon be hearing a lot more of him as he’s returning home to help take his music career up a notch or two.
Laughing at my confession about the mix-up, Fin said: “I have thought of changing my name actually. I’m very proud of my name and it gives me a little giggle when, especially in Canada and USA, people refer to the sound of the name ‘Fin Furey’ as some kind of super villain’s/super hero’s name.
“It’s a great name and a great stage name that holds presence, but a new stage name/artist name might be in the works as I’ll be forming a band this year with some incredible musicians who are close friends of mine based in Dublin.”
When asked if Fin feels like he’s living in the shadows of his old man, he joked: “No, as I’m 6 foot 3 and he’s 5”11. However, he’s kind enough to share his hairline with me! I haven’t owned a ‘combable’ fringe since I was 24 – thanks Da! But, no, I feel no shadow – just pride.”
Joking aside, Fin told us he’s been “profoundly” influenced by his father – both in character and musically.
“With each year that passes I find myself behaving more like him – not quite housecoats/dressing gowns and roll-up cigarettes, but the sound of his voice definitely grows louder inside my head as I’ve drifted further from home these past years,” he said.
“He’s an optimist creature and takes life as it comes, like myself. My da always says to me, ‘Finny, if you’re going to do something, do it with a good heart or not at all’.
“He has taught me tenacity. He has taught me to enjoy my spin on this rock with everything I do. Not to roll over and lose sight of goals – especially when they seem unreachable and may take years to achieve.”
He added: “Jason, I’ll tell you, I’m so proud of where I’m from and who my people are. Proud of the neighbourhood and city I grew up in, proud of the people that make it what it is, and so proud of the Irish Pavee blood that runs through my family’s veins. I come from a travelling background –and one I’m very proud of.”
Has Fin ever felt any discrimination over it?
“No I haven’t – at least not to the extent that my father would have faced,” he said.
“We’re all lucky to be living in an age where ‘social norms’ are evolving. Thankfully the warped mindsets of racial discrimination and small minded selfish thinkers are dying off, for the most part, in the western world.
“They are so many amazing movements from human, animal and environmental movements growing on a global scale – and people are awakening up. I hope that open mindedness keeps spreading, as there is still a lot of discrimination towards travellers in Ireland.”
Fin is clearly itching to get back home. He told The Beat: “After living together for four years in Canada, my girlfriend, Jess Dollinger, will be moving back to Ireland with me – and my dog, Oso! Jill’s from Montreal herself. She’s a rock and is amazingly supportive.
“I’m looking forward to seeing old faces and catching up with friends and family. Ultimately though, I’m most excited about rehearsing, recording and performing with the new band!”
Fin is “pumped” for upcoming “homecoming gig”, which will be in The Workman’s Club, Dublin on July 20.
