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 22 participating radio stations having reached out for submissions in recent months. The excitement is rising, with a slew of announcements arriving over the next few days. Each of the acts selected by the stations will perform and be interviewed on their local station, with one act from each station going forward onto the long-list of contenders for the national A New Local Hero award.

Launched in 2021, Irish Music Month is an initiative of Hot Press and the Independent Broadcasters of Ireland, and is funded by Coimisiún na Meán. Irish Music Month is also supported by IMRO, RAAP and Live Nation, along with Ticketmaster, Rubyworks, Camden Recording Studios and Spéir Mix and Master.

The stations participating in Irish Music Month are: Clare FM, Classic Hits, Cork's 96FM, East Coast FM, FM104, Galway Bay FM, Highland Radio, KCLR, KFM, Limerick Live 95FM, LMFM, Midlands 103, Midwest Radio, Northern Sound, Ocean FM, Radio Kerry, Radio Nova, Shannonside FM, South East Radio, Sunshine FM, Tipp FM, and WLR FM.

What Irish Music Month means, across participating independent stations, is:

– More Irish music song plays

– More Irish music artist mentions

– More Irish music features

– More Irish artist gig pushes

– More Irish artist interviews

And – what's more – we'll be putting over €100,000 into the hands of music makers and their crews across the country too.

Without further ado, here are Clare FM's shortlisted artists...

BRIARS

BRIARS are an alternative/indie-folk and trad band from Cork City, Ireland. Their sound ranges from fragile subtlety to raucous energy, visiting every stop along the way and always underlined with a signature twist. Word has spread quickly about the band’s energetic 6-piece live show and original, authentic sound, combining their traditional influences with more contemporary approaches and textures.

BRIARS

River Jensen

River Jensen is a folk singer-songwriter based in Killaloe, Co Clare. Blending warm acoustic sounds with honest, reflective lyrics, his songs explore love, memory and the quiet moments that shape us. He performs regularly around the local music scene while continuing to build a collection of original music. Jensen's sound blends raw vocals, emotional storytelling and catchy, upbeat melodies.

River Jensen

Jennifer Stratton

Raised in the west of Ireland on a steady diet of pop-punk and all the hair colours, Jennifer Stratton has channeled the angst of her youth into an emotive and energetic blend of alt-pop and rock. Her sound is built on thoughtful songwriting and melodies that will stay with you long after you hear them. Stratton is currently finalising her next single for release and plans to record her first EP later this year.

Jennifer Stratton

Genevieve 

Genevieve is an Irish singer-songwriter and musician, originally from Co Tyrone and now based in Ennis, Co Clare. Music has been a part of Genevieve's  life from an early age. Her unique sound blends easy-listening and acoustic folk singer-songwriter styles, shaped by a love of storytelling, strong melodies and interesting guitar arrangements. She performs regularly at events across the county and beyond.

Genevieve Scullion

• Keep an eye on hotpress.com and listen to your local participating station for more news on Irish Music Month, A New Local Hero and the Irish song competition, Amhrán na Laoch.