Musical duo in search of New Local Hero title
Aaron Thompson and Sophia Jones, known as Asophonics, will now go on to represent KCLR in the national competition
WEEKS of nominations, performances and interviews, culminating in a public vote, has seen a Carlow duo named the winners of KCLR’s new local hero competition for 2024.
Aaron Thompson and Sophia Jones, known as Asophonics, will now go on to represent the local radio station in the national competition.
Formed in late 2023, the pair have performed at the Pan Celtic Festival and sold out their debut concert. Their winning entry, , will gain additional airplay over the next few weeks.
The next phase sees the winning acts from all 21 participating radio stations across the country going forward to another round of judging. Six acts will then be chosen to perform at a special showcase event in The Academy, Dublin on 15 October. The winning act will win an incredible €5,000 in cash and an additional €5,000 worth of recording time at Camden Studios, as well as song release on the Rubyworks label, with guaranteed airplay on radio stations right across Ireland.
The competition forms part of Irish Music Month, which was launched in 2012 by magazine and the Independent Broadcasters of Ireland (IBI). It is funded by Coimisiún na Meán’s sound and vision scheme, with participating IBI stations putting a strong emphasis on featuring Irish music and significantly increasing the number of plays for Irish artists.
