Rachel Grace, Ayda, Stone Blind State, and Clueless have been chosen as South East Radio's local finalists in the A New Local Hero national talent search - a key part of Irish Music Month - which kicked off this week on 22 stations across Ireland.

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 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 South East Radio's shortlisted artists..

Rachel Grace

Rachel is a singer-songwriter from Wexford Town who has been writing and performing since the age of twelve. She has supported Gavin James, Roisin O, Jack L, Emma Langford and Wallis Bird, and has also worked as a session musician for Irish Women in Harmony.

This year saw the release of her debut album, Never Grows Old, which has received fantastic support locally and nationally. She also recently made her TV debut on Virgin Media One’s The Six O’Clock Show.

This October, she embarks on her first headline tour, performing across Ireland, London and finishing with a special hometown show at the Jerome Hynes Theatre in Wexford.

Rachel Grace

Ayda

Ayda is a singer-songwriter from Wexford, known for her soulful vocals and mature, candid songwriting. She began writing and performing at age 13 through the Music Generation Wexford Summer Sessions at Wexford Arts Centre.

Her music is often described as stripped-back and emotional, earning comparisons to artists like Lizzie McApline, Hope Sandoval from Mazzy Star, Laura Marling and Susan O’Neill.

Ayda

Stone Blind State

Stone Blind State are a Wexford band that released their debut album in 2026 to great reviews from Hot Press, among others. Building on their 1st release, they have been playing shows throughout Ireland in support of the debut album. They are looking to get out music out to wider audience and build on the work that they have released.

Stone Blind State

Clueless

A hip-hop duo from South Wexford bringing a fresh and playful sound to the Irish music scene. Known for their hilarious, unexpected lyrics and punchy, danceable beats, their music covers everything from nights out to the downright bizarre.

Their goal is simple: to make people laugh, dance and escape the madness of everyday life.

Clueless