I.F.., Emma Noodles, Podge Lane and Dan O'Keeffe have been revealed as local finalists in the A New Local Hero national talent search - a key part of Irish Music Month which is set to kick off on 21 stations across Ireland on September 1st.

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 21 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.

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, let's meet Ireland's Classic Hits' shortlisted artists...

I.F..:

Still yet to sit their respective leaving certs, drummer Nat, bassist Mel and singer Kayla have been working together since they were fourteen-years-of-age. The all-girl, Kildare-based outfit are familiar to us at Hot Press, after the youngsters held their own alongside some veteran musicians with a very special Brigid 1500 performance at the Athy Library last February. Having shared a couple of impressive singles in the form of 'Something About You' and the more recent 'the Ballad of the lost', the star potential is there for all to see.

We Shall Overcome in Athy Library, Kildare celebrating Brigid 1500 with Hot Press and Kildare County Council. Copyright Miguel Ruiz.

Dan O'Keeffe:

This indie-folk singer-songwriter based out of the Rebel City cites supremos like Radiohead and Jeff Buckley as some of his primary influences. He's got a genuine passion for crafting lively melodies, as is evident wuth his rollicking debut single 'Summer Lights'. Landing at the beginning of August, the nostalgia-hued tune harks back to the radio-ready rock of the early '00s, with the driving number evoking bands like Stereophonics and Kings of Leon.

Dan O'Keefe (Photo: partybands)

Emma Noodles:

With her first track 'The Stars We Shine' arriving last September, 2024 has consolidated this promising artist as an adept merchant of synth-washed, lovelorn pop bangers. Noodles has dropped three singles so far this year, with the up-and-comer's diverse sound ebbing from classic rock to '80s dream pop, with a little bit of country twang thrown in for good measure. Furthermore, she made an impressive debut live appearance with at the We've Only Just Begun festival in Whelan's this summer, bringing her Chappell Roan-like aesthetic and assertive stage presence to the adoring masses. More strong representation from Cill Dara.

Emma Noodles at Whelans for We've Only Just Begun Festival. Copyright Jason Doherty.

Podge Lane

This crooner has already been flagged by Hot Press as an exciting alt-country act capable of combining feel-good energy with painfully honest lyrics. The Cork native is revered for his experimental country instrumentation and ambitious concept albums, the first of which Outer Monologues arrived in 2021. He's no stranger to a rowdy live show either, touring Ireland and boasting support slots for fellow eclectic and acclaimed acts like The Wedding Present, Steve 'N' Seagulls and Malian songsmith Vieux Farka Touré. An interesting and fresh addition to the Local Hero picture.

Podge Lane, Photo: Press

Irish Music Month is also supported by IMRO, RAAP, Live Nation, Rubyworks and Camden Recording Studios.

See the full list of participating radio stations below:

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
South-East Radio
Tipp FM
WLR FM

• Irish Music Month - Irish Radio Supporting Artists - in association with IBI, Hot Press & Coimisiún na Meán's Sound & Vision Scheme, funded by the Television License Fee.

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