Scottish singer Emily Smith is touring Britain, bent on putting folk music firmly on the map. She tells SIBA MATTI about her career, ahead of her gig at the Compass Theatre on Monday

HAILED as Scotland's answer to Joni Mitchell, Emily Smith's star is on the rise and shows no sign of stopping. Born and bred in Dumfries, the folk singer/songwriter has released four albums and performed all over the globe, including at the prestigious annual Hogmanay celebrations in Edinburgh.

Pretty impressive for someone not yet 30, and who did not even discover her singing voice until she was in her late teens.

"I actually spent my childhood dancing to music rather than performing it," explains Emily, 29.

"My mother had her own dance school, so I grew up spending my weekends at ceilidhs rather than in nightclubs, and assumed everyone knew how to do a Highland fling.

"When she stopped dancing, I did too, and that space was filled with music."

Three years after moving to Glasgow to study

Scottish music, accordion and piano at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, Emily got her big break: being crowned winner of BBC Radio Scotland's Young Traditional Music of the Year Award.

She released her fourth solo album, Travellers' Joy, last month.

"I write all my own songs and would probably describe my sound as traditional folk with a fresh and contemporary twist," she says.

"I have been influenced by lots of different folk and country singers, from fellow Scot Karine Polwart to Joni Mitchell and even Dolly Parton.

"As the title suggests, my new album is all about my experiences on the road, the people we met on tour and thinking about home.

"Last year was the first time I performed in Russia and it was a really special experience.

"Going so far away from home, we became completely immersed in the culture, and the

people are so welcoming. I played some songs by Scottish poet Robert Burns, and they all knew who he was and really embraced the music.

"Some of those songs are on the new album, as well as a few covers, but I have written most of the material myself from a very personal point of view."

Despite her success - a BBC Radio 2 broadcaster described her as being able to 'walk on water' - Emily remains remarkably modest.

The singer, whose husband Jamie McClennan is a fellow musician and producer and plays lead guitar in Emily's backing band, adds: "It's difficult to pin down a specific highlight of my career.

"As a Christian, it was lovely to be asked to take part in BBC One's Songs of Praise, and I'm quite patriotic, so performing at Hogmanay was wonderful.

"I'm more than just a musician, I'm representing my country and that is such a privilege.

"I never expected any of my music to be so well received. In this business, you can't predict anything but I would like to think I have played a part in opening people's eyes to folk.

"Making the music I love, and people buying my records, is the best feeling in the world." * Emily Smith performs at the Compass Theatre in Ickenham on Monday at 7.30pm.

Tickets cost £12. To book, and for more information, call the box office on 01895 673 200 or visit www.compasstheatre.co.uk. ..