Cork station 96FM has announced that rising singer-songwriter LIA has been picked as their A New Local Hero finalist.

Drawing influence from the likes of Chaka Khan and Amy Winehouse, this rising star marked herself as a serious one-to-watch with the release of her debut single, ‘The One (Not)’, in recent months – produced by Cian Sweeney of 1000 Beasts.

Each finalist got the chance to play live on Cork's 96FM, 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.

25 acts, including LIA, 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.