We never wanted chart success, say Irish production duo

Cork production team 'Fish Go Deep' have today revealed that they never really wanted success in the mainstream charts.

Despite reaching number 23 in the UK charts in 2006 with 'The Cure and the Cause', Shane Johnson, one half of the house music outfit, says that it is not something they are aiming to repeat.

"You want your music to get out to as many people as possible but that kind of chart action wasn't exactly part of the master plan," he said. "It's great and all that but not it's not what we aim for when we're making music."

The duo, which also includes Greg Dowling, will be celebrating 20 years of success in the Irish club scene at a sold-out show in The Pavillion in Cork tonight, so it is unsurprising that it is in the atmosphere of a nightclub setting where the group feel at their most comfortable.

"Yeah, it should be a great party," says Johnson. "The birthdays are always a bit of a balancing act - there are so many great records to choose from and different generations of dancers to please - but they're a real celebration of the music and people."

Rumours have been rife about guest appearances from artists that the duo have attracted to Irish clubs in the past, and Johnson confirmed that both Irish and foreign DJs will be on hand for Sunday's "after-party".

"Greg and myself will play Saturday night start to finish," he said. "Sunday is a bit more free-form. Stevie G, a Disconaut or two, some of the Bodytonic crew, Charles Webster, ourselves."

Johnson hopes the success of Fish Go Deep and others will inspire a new generation of artists.

"We've always said that not enough people here make this music," he said. "Over the last few years with the likes of John Daly, Chymera, Stee Downes and others breaking out - it should show more people a path."

Those who could not get tickets for tonight's party can still attend Sunday's marathon after-party the Pavilion Bar starting at 2pm, continuing in the Pavillion club from 6pm.

Fish Go Deep's new single 'Blue Funk' is set to be released towards the end of November, with another single featuring 'The Cure and the Cause' vocalist Tracey K due out in January.