Newstalk DJ Tom Dunne has launched a major new competition for unsigned artists with the intention of uncovering the next big Irish singer-songwriter.
Dunne, who moonlights as the frontman of 1980s band Something Happens, will run Dunne’s Demos, a competition borne out of an aversion to TV talent shows, which he claims have “distorted the market and taken [up] too many resources”.
The winner will perform on Dunne’s radio show (weekdays, 10am-12pm) and get a day at Windmill Lane Recording Studios and a slot at Indiependence, the music festival that takes place in Mitchelstown, Co Cork, from August 3rd-5th.
“In the current climate the new Neil Young is more likely to write an app than Heart of Gold,” said Dunne.
“When we start looking for Ireland’s best unsigned singer-songwriter, ultimately the listener will be the winner. We may not necessarily find the new Damien Rice, but we might find someone who, in a few years, could be just as talented and successful.”
The deadline for entries is June 8th and the winner will be announced on June 15th. The panel of judges includes musician Steve Wall and AR consultant Thomas Black. Entries, which must be from an unsigned artist, can be sent to demos@newstalk.ie.
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