The kings of West Lothian
BRITAIN’S newest dance kings, LF SYSTEM, have revealed they would love to team up with Calvin Harris.
The West Lothian pals – Sean Finnigan and Conor Larkman, both 26 – stormed to the top of the charts last week with Afraid To Feel, which has already become the song of the summer.
It’s set to stay in the top slot today but whatever happens the duo have made their mark on the charts.
And while they have a way to go to match Calvin’s 10 UK No1s they follow in a strong line of Scots in dance including Hudson Mohawke, Mylo, Blue Boy and, of course, Slam, who signed Daft Punk.
Sean said: “We’re proud to be flying the flag but I don’t think we’re at Daft Punk level just yet.
“We are big fans of Calvin and have loved his music from the very start. He’s a huge inspiration – especially as he’s a Scot doing well.”
Conor added: “We play I’m Not Alone at the end of our sets and everyone loves it.
“The type of music we do has always been underground music but this time it’s caught on with everybody. There’s not many dance tunes that get to No1.”
Conor cut short his sister’s wedding in Greece to fly to London last Friday to celebrate the duo’s first No1.
Sean added: “You put out music hoping it will do well but don’t expect it to do this well. It’s crazy.”
The duo, who met at Edinburgh club Fly, sampled Silk’s 1975 tune I Can’t Stop (Turning You On) into Afraid To Feel in 2019. They found a label to release it this year and it has bucked the trend of songs achieving their highest chart position in the first week by taking six weeks to hit the top.
Conor said: “It feels like one big practical joke. To think we made it in 2019, were playing it in clubs and now it’s in the charts is mad.”
West Lothian is the current epicentre of Scots music talent with LF SYSTEM joining the likes of Lewis Capaldi, The Snuts, Susan Boyle, Luke La Volpe and X Factor winner Leon Jackson, who all come from the area. Conor said: “There’s definitely something in the water.”
The pals, who called themselves LF SYSTEM after their surnames and system because “it sounded cool”, are big disco and soul fans and their debut release, Bourgie Bourgie in 2020, sampled the song of the same name by Gladys Knight & The Pips.
While Sean claims their roles are 50/50, Conor said: “Sean is being humble – he’s a whizzkid and knows all the geeky stuff. I just try and make noises.”
They are now putting the finishing touches to the follow-up to their debut No1.
With dates announced and tickets on sale for TRNSMT next year, they are hoping they’ll be in the mix. Conor said: “It didn’t happen this year but hopefully we’ll be there next year, rocking the main stage.”