Act name: Ruth Willow, aged 20, originally from Bolton

When and where did you start performing?
The thing that drew me to music, from a very young age, was how it told stories, portraying more emotion and power that you can possibly ever say in a variety of ways. Since primary school, I've been working my way through musicals, band nights and solo performances, leading me into becoming the independent singer songwriter that I am now.

What is your sound and who are your influences?
'Wow' is probably most the popular amongst peoples descriptions, 'powerful', 'warm', 'unique', 'really great' even 'emotional', but overall I'd say that my music is mature, honest and definitely raw. I’m inspired mainly by people when I write my songs, as I think people and their lives are really amazing, and my style is most likely influenced by the great singers and songwriters I've grown up listening to. Such as Freddie Mercury, Kate Bush, Etta James, Aretha Franklin, even into current day with Florence Welch, John Legend, Adele and Hozier. Though to be honest, I think that if a song can grab you, make you really believe it, and it is well written, I'll love it, no matter the genre or artist.

What is the biggest gig you have played to date?
There have been a few successful music events that I've arranged myself, with audiences sizes up to 300, bringing in solo artists, duets and bands from Merseyside to Manchester. I'd say that performing at these as well makes them my biggest gigs as there was so much more to do, but seeing so many people enjoying themselves in a beautiful environment is always worth it!

If you are not already, is it your ambition to become professional?
Currently I am working on an EP to be released very soon, which I can't wait to share and lots of people are very eager to listen to, so you should check me out on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram for updates on that. There are also a few interesting and exciting collaborations on the cards, so I'm definitely a busy bee at the moment.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
I would hope 10 years down the line, that I would have the privilege of working with more incredible and very talented people within music, be part of moving music into new places and to be enjoyed by even more people. This really is just the very beginning, the feedback and messages I'm receiving are remarkable and much appreciated, so it's definitely an exciting time.

Is there anything unusual or interesting about you?
As I'm influenced by, and love such a wide range of music, people have said that my voice is 'very adaptable' to styles while maintaining it's uniqueness. This also means that I love to experiment with sounds, lyrics and vocal expression from EDM to classical. Though I have not been taught professionally, I have played saxophone, drums and always have music around me, giving me a musical ear from a young age. I've learnt to feel music more than anything, so everything I write or perform is kept raw and honest and is straight from the heart and feeling, I've even been known to research songs and their writers before performing them, so I can fully believe what I'm singing and do it justice.

Upcoming releases?
The EP will be out very soon. Until then I have created soundcloud playlists of demos and live rehearsal sessions for you to check out (soundcloud/ruthwillow). No doubt there will be a release gig as well, of which, further details I will post on my social media to keep you in the know — Twitter/ruthwillow, IG/ruthwillow and Fb/ruthwillowcameron.