FINBAR Furey’s son insists he “couldn’t escape who I was” after turning his back on a career as a physio to throw himself into trad music.
Fin Furey also snubbed his love of rap to follow in the footsteps of his legendary dad, who he hails as his “Consigliere”.
He told The Irish Sun: “I grew up listening to a lot of rap and rock music.
“I remember as a kid singing something in front of the family, I think it was Raglan Road, but I put my twist on it and it was really frowned upon. I was told I couldn’t sing it like that.
“So I used to think traditional Irish music had these stringent rules attached to it and it wasn’t to be messed with.
“But I guess as I got older I couldn’t really escape who I was and where I came from. I just really fell in love with the traditional Irish stories told in the songs and I bring this to my own songs.”
Fin is the youngest son of Irish trad legend Finbar, and now aims to bring his family’s heritage to a new generation, playing up to six nights a week.
The 32-year-old said: “I was a physio and strength and conditioning coach for 10 years because I grew up playing so many sports.
“But I reached a point where I wanted to do something different and I’ve always loved music because of the environment I grew up in.
“We only have one spin on this rock so do what you love.
“I played the guitar and someone said to give it a go and about two years ago I just went for it. I’m flat out and I have to turn down gigs.
“My cousin Conor plays alongside me a lot — he’s an unbelievable banjo player — and I play some shows with a full band.
“It’s all trad and folk. I’ve a lot of my own songs which I love to play. The reaction has been great.
Fin says he has the full support of his famous father. As a child, Fin travelled the country to see his day play live.
He said: “I would go with him to see him play in these civic theatres around the country.
“I loved growing up around all these men who sang songs and told stories. I was mesmerised by it all.
‘MY CONSIGLIERE’
“Dad is an incredible poet. Today he’s like my Consigliere, as in Robert Duvall in The Godfather. Always there for advice.”
When Fin began performing live, he was unsure if his name would be a help or a hindrance or lead to any mix-ups regarding his famous dad.
He said: “My name is Finbar so I had to think about that when trying to promote my own gigs or music.
“I thought about trying out something different but a friend said that that was my name so be proud of it.
“I was living in Canada when I first began performing in pubs so people didn’t know who Finbar Furey is.
“I would tell people my name was Fin Furey and they were like ‘oh that’s such a cool name, it sounds like a supervillain’. So that helped me get noticed.”
CELEBRITY PALS
While living in Canada, Fin became friends with Love/Hate actor Robert Sheehan, who filmed a video for Fin’s song Corners and Coins.
Robert played gang member Darren in the TV series.
Coincidentally, Finbar Furey Sr appeared in Love/Hate, playing the father of Darren’s victim John Boy (Aidan Gillen).
“Dad is an incredible poet. Today he’s like my Consigliere, as in Robert Duvall in The Godfather. Always there for advice.”
Fin Furey
Fin said: “I met Rob in Toronto and the first thing I said to him was ‘You shot my brother.’ I told him who I was and we had a good laugh and became really good mates.
“We used to pick up some beers from Trinity Bellwoods Brewery and head across the road to Bellwood Park and have a puck and a beer.
“Rob had a week off one week from filming Umbrella Academy and he wanted to try out his new camera so we shot the video for Corners and Coins in the B-side Lounge (a live music venue in Toronto).
“The song is about someone struggling to get by, finding comfort in numbness — using drugs to dull the pain.
“Sung from the protagonist’s perspective, partly through the eyes of someone who witnesses her story.”
PROUD HERITAGE
Fin is fiercely proud of his traveller heritage — but has never experienced the kind of discrimination his father and uncles would have been subjected to.
He explained: “You heard the odd slur but nothing that can’t be ignored. Dad would have had it a lot worse but they always slag me about being a ‘Plastic Pavee’.
“But the travellers are all gas, they’re just great craic. Wonderful storytellers.”
- For details of shows and music visit finfureymusic.com
