LAURA ROBERTS speaks to musical discovery Adam Burridge about his whirlwind year and the release of his EP

NOT long ago, Adam Burridge did not have a band, had no manager and was struggling to imagine how to take his musical talent forward. Eight months later and the former pupil of Queensmead School, in Queens Walk, Ruislip, is the buzz of the music scene, having worked with legendary producer Phil Da Costa, whose credits include Take That and Aaliyah.

Adam, 21, released his EP last week, and in the past eight months has played at impressive venues such as the O2 Academy Islington, Wandsworth Palais and The Troubadour. He has even been offered a gig at the legendary Viper Room club in Los Angeles, once owned by actor Johnny Depp.

Tomorrow (Thursday), Adam and his band will play at Trinity Bar, in Station Road, Harrow, in what will be his first local gig.

Said the South Harrow resident: "There have been a lot of 'wow moments' and every day there seems to be another.

"It doesn't quite feel like it's happening to me, but in a good way."

Adam began playing the guitar properly when he was 17. He had tried before but lost interest. Then in 2008, his dad suggested he started writing songs.

"It's a real craft, and I'm still learning, but the more I do it, the better I feel I am at it. I'm constantly writing songs," he explains.

His first performance was unplanned, when friends entered him in an open mic session, but since then he has not looked back.

In July last year, Adam played for the first time with his band, made up of friends, and they have gathered a loyal, international following.

He said: "We're getting people from places like Canada and Sweden listening to our music and their responses have been amazing."

Traces of John Mayer, Paulo Nutini and The Kooks can be heard throughout Adam's work, but to suggest more than that would be misleading as the fusion of rock, pop and acoustic, the catchy melodies and the heartfelt lyrics are refreshingly unique.

* To hear Adam's music and for details of upcoming gigs, visit www.myspace.com/adamburridge .