Supporting Irish Musicians and Artists

Next up in Irish Music Month's A New Local Hero talent search, we're heading to Donegal – where Highland Radio have announced Charles James & The Rise as their overall winner!

Influenced by the sounds of early Americana, roots and their home county of Donegal, the folk duo released their Long Way From Here EP back in late 2019. They’re set to make their highly anticipated return this month, with a brand new single, ‘The Elephants’.

"We won!" Charles James & The Rise wrote online, in response to the news. "Thank you so much to the judges and all of you that voted and supported 'The Elephants'. We can’t actually believe it! Onto the national stage now to represent the north west!"

The other talented finalists selected by Highland Radio included singer-songwriter Oisin Nee, hotly tipped artist Boy M5 and blues-infused rock 'n' roll band The Midnight Preachers.

Each finalist got the chance to play live on Highland Radio, with all of the artists – thanks to the support of the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland, under its Sound & Vision scheme – being paid for their performance.

As one of the central features of Irish Music Month, A New Local Hero is a major call to arms for Irish musicians and bands – with all 25 participating radio stations having reached out for submissions as part of the talent search.

Watch Charles James & The Rise perform 'The Elephants' on Highland Radio below:

25 acts, including Charles James & The Rise, have been selected as their radio station's A New Local Hero. Now, an industry judging panel will choose just five of those acts to go forward to play at a special showcase event in Dublin.

The A New Local Hero campaign will ultimately see over  €100,000 paid directly to Irish artists – and one worthy winning act selected, who will get to record a single at the prestigious Camden Recording Studios in Dublin, and release the single on the famed Irish independent record label Rubyworks.