Message to Chameleon aka Matthew Harris, winner of important new award in music & broadcasting
Date: Fri 19th Nov, 2021 | 11:12
I want to extend the warmest congratulations to Matthew Harris – whose stage name is Chameleon – who was announced last night as the recipient of the A New Local Hero Award 2021, which is part of the Irish Music Month initiative, organised by Hot Press and the Independent Broadcasters of Ireland, and funded by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland from its Sound & Vision fund.
There is so much extraordinary musical talent in Ireland right now, as was confirmed so emphatically, when 25 independent radio stations all over Ireland chose their own Local Hero, as part of Irish Music Month.
I have no doubt that the judges must have had an exceptionally difficult job selecting a shortlist of five from those 25 uniquely talented artists – and so, in addition to Chameleon, Carrie Baxter, Fintan McKahey, Leah Moran and Mia Yermeche all deserve our heartiest congratulations.
We really are in a special moment here in Ireland, with brilliant young, creative artists like all five finalists coming through and delivering works of remarkable imagination and maturity.
At just 22 years of age, Chameleon really is one of those very special talents. He is a multi-instrumentalist, writer, producer and singer of outstanding creative ability - so it is wonderful to see him being recognised in this important way by a panel of judges from across the music industry – and including experienced and successful artists of the calibre of Ruth-Anne Cunningham and Róisín O.
The prize is a very valuable one – but most of all, the title of A New Local Hero 2021, which has been conferred on Chameleon, will I am sure open the way for him to move on with confidence to the next level, in what promises to be a wonderfully productive career.
Well done, Matthew Harris. Well done Chameleon. Long may you flourish as an artist, a writer, a performer and a singer.
Traoslaím leat agus gach rath ort don todhchaí.