Less than a year ago, Conor Larkman and Sean Finnigan were working as a roofer and a petrol station attendant in West Lothian, making music in their bedrooms for fun.
One hugely successful track later and the DJ duo, better known as LF System, are touring the world and headlining festivals.
Speaking on STV’s What’s On Scotland, Sean told me: “It all still feels so surreal. If you had told us even a year ago that this would be our lives… Everything was so different less than a year ago. We are just so grateful and thankful.
“Even sitting in front of this camera, doing STV, it’s mad!”
Though dance music has always been a huge part of their lives, neither of them had any idea that a track they made back in 2019 would propel them into the spotlight.
“We go back about eight years ago when we first met,” Sean said. “We weren’t taking music as seriously then, it was more of a hobby. I was DJ-ing on the side, trying to figure out how to make my own music.
“It’s quite hard sometimes to find people that are into the same things as you, so it was great to meet Conor who was into using the same programmes as me and liked the same music.”
Conor chimed in: “We were the two boring ones at a party who were just sitting talking shop.”
And, it worked. In 2019, LF System was officially created, focusing on the boys’ passion for disco, soul and funk. The improbably catchy ‘Afraid to Feel’ became a summer-defining tune last year. Where did the inspiration for the track come from?
“I like to go through old disco records and find catchy tunes,” said Sean. “The original of this was so good. I gave it to Conor, he turned it into a different version. Then we came together and it was three years before it got released.
“It just sat gathering dust, thanks to Covid.”
Conor added: “It started getting listeners on Soundcloud and then it got played out on radio and we were totally gobsmacked.”
Coming to terms with having such an instant success is surreal for them, but they’re taking it in their stride.
“We just can’t believe it still. We saw our names on the TRNSMT artwork and thought there had been a typo. It all feels like one big practical joke. It’s mad.”
Sean and Conor are now heading to the US after just getting back from touring Australia and New Zealand. With a BRIT Award nomination, and playing TRNSMT in July, it looks like there’s a bright future ahead for the Fauldhouse lads.
They told me they want nothing more than to make each and every dance floor experience one to remember. And can we expect some new tunes to rival Afraid to Feel?
“We’ve been in the studio making some new music and can’t wait to bring them to you once we are back from tour.”
What’s On Scotland is on STV and the STV Player at 7pm on Friday, March 17.
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