New To Hot Press: Rofi James

Galway three-piece Rofi James have steadily built a sizeable following around the country, playing coveted support slots for the likes of Picture This and Wild Youth. With a name derived from founding members Ronan (Rofi) Flaherty and Jamie (James) Murray, the two started out as teenagers busking on Galway’s Shop Street and playing acoustic pub shows.

“Galway’s full of great music,” explains Ronan. “Practically every other person you speak to here plays music, so it’s had a big influence on the band.”

In the years since, they have teamed up with producer Dave Skelton and brought aboard bassist Joseph Flaherty, and focused on pop-rock anthems. Ronan characterises the band’s sound as “energetic and melodic”, drawing on influences like Catfish And The Bottlemen, Imagine Dragons and U2. Ronan explains that he always keeps a guitar around the house, because the “best melodies come to you late at night when you’re still buzzing after a gig”.

There have been some notable moments for the Rofi James of late.

“Hearing our song ‘Fool For Your Love’ on rotation on daytime radio was brilliant,” enthuses Ronan. “It was a major milestone for us.”

Rofi James play Whelans, Dublin on June 14. They also support The Blizzards at Marquee by the Sea, Clare on July 27.