“I was honestly overwhelmed. When they were announcing the winner, I had a double vodka in my hand. I was ready to just say, ‘You know what? This was a lovely experience’. Then they called out my name. I couldn’t believe it.”

Joining Hot Press for a sit down in our Capel Street HQ, Calum Agnew is casting his mind’s eye back to October 15, 2024. Representing LMFM, at the finale in The Academy, the Duleek native took home the A New Local Hero Award after a show-stopping display. Strutting around in his “lucky” pinstripe suit to the vibrant R&B of his full-sounding band, his stage presence was immense.

“I’ve been performing since I was 10 or 11 doing talent shows,” Calum shares. “I go on stage and tell myself that I really want to be here and that I want to be here for the rest of my life. That’s something you have to convince yourself of when getting over those nerves.”

As impressive as his showmanship was, the soulful power of his upper-register voice was what really won the judges and audience over. It was clear that everyone in attendance was witnessing the emergence of a very special young, radio-friendly talent.

“Actually, I’ve been singing my whole life,” says Calum. “I wrote my first song when I was nine, and the chorus went: ‘Run run run, go go go go, right now / Run run go go, I will not wear a frown’. I must have had some stupid argument with my parents… but that’s when I decided to write songs every week.

“I had a very high-pitched voice and obviously, as you get older, your voice changes. I had a few vocal lessons as a kid just to sing properly. Once I knew that I had the technique down, I think it’s something that came naturally to me. I would have listened to the likes of Joy Crookes and Amy Winehouse too, and they’ve definitely had an influence.”

Calum Agnew by Abigail Ring

The A New Local Hero award is part of Irish Music Month – the product of a partnership between Hot Press and 21 IBI radio stations across the country, which is supported by Coimisiún na Meán as well as Live Nation, IMRO, RAAP and Ticketmaster. As well as garnering praise from the President, Michael D. Higgins, Calum earned the opportunity to record a single in the brilliant state-of-the-art Camden Studios in Dublin.

Knitting things together was acclaimed producer/arranger Cian Boylan, whose lengthy CV includes collaborations with the likes of Sinéad O’Connor, Bono, Van Morrison and George Michael. Radio stations all over Ireland are lining up to play the track...

“It was a surreal experience, it didn’t hit me until I was there,” Calum says. “I remember when I was 14, I went with one of my best friends. I contacted Camden Studios and asked if I could get a tour of the place. An engineer brought me around and he told me to, ‘Keep working on your craft’. I was like, ‘Yeah, I’m gonna be here someday’. And then I was.

“We recorded on a Steinway as well as some bits on a Hammond,” he beams, switching his focus back to the present. “It was surreal. I think it taught me a lot about being a musician, and what you have to do in the industry. Cian Boylan really knows what he’s doing. He’s a really good professional and we went in for a pre-session to work through the song a tiny bit.

“Having your full band there, everyone needs to be fully rehearsed to get everything done as efficiently as possible. But it kind of just made me want to do that for the rest of my life, even more. Being in a setting like that is addictive.”

The A New Local Hero initiative, Calum continues, provides a much-needed platform and entry-point into an industry where young artists are increasingly up against it.

“When I won the competition, I told myself that I won’t get this type of funding again to be able to record my music the way I want,” he says. “I’m so lucky, because it’s very hard for musicians who are trying to make a start in their career these days and not be in debt.

“Some bands come from privileged families, and there’s nothing wrong with that, but they have that financial push to get them where they want, and unfortunately most people don’t have that.

“Even if you don’t win A New Local Hero, you’re getting publicity. Hot Press are obviously so supportive in promoting young artists, especially through this competition. I think it’s been incredible. It’s given me such a push to be able to get my name out the door.”

Calum Agnew at the A New Local Hero showcase in The Academy, presented by Hot Press and the IBI as part of Irish Music Month 2024. Photo: Jason Doherty

Calum’s sessions with Boylan culminated in his new single ‘Anymore’, released on the storied Rubyworks label.

It’s a song that, sonically speaking, brims with healthy influences from a modern great.

“She’d definitely be one of my favourite artists,” Agnew says of Amy Winehouse. “I admire how much she did in her career in such little time. She’s inspired so many artists. It was just sad to see her go so quickly. I think there’s a lot of soul ingrained in the texture of the music and the beat of the music. And I think a lot of what can’t be said in words can be expressed through music and rhythm. It really brings out how you actually can emotionally connect to a song. I think there’s so much ingrained in that. That’s what really draws me to it.”

In a way that is reminiscent of some of Winehouse’s hits, ‘Anymore’ sees the singer poignantly dissect, and come to terms with, a faltering relationship.

“As a gay person, I didn’t have much experience [of love] growing up,” Calum says. “I went to an all boys Catholic primary and secondary school. I moved to London during my gap year. It is a very different, very accepting  place, and I said I’m just gonna be authentically myself and I came out.

“I met this guy. We weren’t exactly a match, but it was my first encounter with gay love and young love. It was more of an infatuation. When I think back, this song really emphasises that moment when you have to cross a bridge and get over that sense of obsession. It’s really saying, you know, ‘I don’t love you anymore’.”

As well as the opportunity to get ‘Anymore’ recorded in Camden Studios, Calum received an additional €5,000 as part of his New Local Hero package. How did he spend it?

“Well, I went for a pint with my band after and then we said, ‘Right, we’re going to go home’,” he affirms. “I was meeting with Rubyworks at 10am the next day! I’ve been spending some of the money to record with Philip Magee. I have a few songs recorded and I’m hoping to release my debut EP in the coming months, which will be really exciting. I have a full album of songs to be recorded, but baby steps, I guess.

“It’s every artist’s dream to make a living out of it. I want to reach the top of my potential, so I’m gonna work as hard as I can over the next few years to get there.”

‘Anymore’ is out now, on the Rubyworks label.