Offaly singer-songwriter Luz nominated for Ivor Novello Rising Star Award

Irish artist Luz (pronounced "Luce") has been nominated for an Ivor Novello Rising Star Award, following a string of beautiful singles released in 2020 and 2021.

The Offaly artist, also known as Luz Corrigan will compete against jazz musician Ashaine White, West Londoner Matilda Mann and powerhouse R&B/pop act Naomi Kimpenu in the Rising Star Award category.

Luz's recent singles 'Permanent +1', 'the author', 'counting houses', 'christmas morning', 'i'm lonely', 'i'll be fine' and more captured the imagination of audiences worldwide.

The Ivor Novello awards ceremony, which celebrates songwriting and composition, will be held at London's Grosvenor House on May 19th. Luz will rub shoulders with major – and emerging – stars like Adele, Dave, Inflo, FKA Twigs, Raye, James Blake, PinkPantheress and Ed Sheeran , who have also earned Ivor Novello Award nominations for their songwriting prowess.

At just 22-years-old, Luz remains one of the most promising young artists to come out of Ireland in a very long time. She was selected by Hot Press among our Hot for 2020 artists – and her Ivor Novello recognition confirms that she could well be the next young Irish female artist to achieve a major breakthrough.

With a stunning voice that pierces the soul, the singer-songwriter caught the attention of Hot Press early on, with covers on Youtube and Instagram of songs from artists like Dermot Kennedy and Kodaline. She has already performed at Vicar Street, where she opened up for Dean Lewis.

The video for her haunting cover of Malahide singer-songwriter Dermot Kennedy's track 'Lost' currently sits at over 170,000 views – and rising.

"His music has been influential to me," she says of Dermot Kennedy, "along with one of my longtime favourites, Ed Sheeran."

Luz’s first four singles, all released during lockdown, have been streamed collectively more than 40 million times across DSPs. Last year, during isolation, Luz covered Dua Lipa’s 'Don’t Start Now' on TikTok – a venture which has now amassed nearly 10 million views and saw Dua react to the cover herself.

Hailing from the small-town of Ferbane – a picturesque village on the River Brosna, in the Bog of Allen – Luz's rural Irish environment only served as more motivation to break out and be successful.

"I want to prove that no matter where you come from you can do it," she explained in 2019. We can’t wait to see what she does next, with her delicate, spellbinding vocals carrying the real promise of greatness.