A YOUNG mum from Bolton is making waves in the music scene after her debut single received national acclaim.

Chrystal Orchard, from Farnworth, packed in a career in law to pursue her dream to be a singer and songwriter.

And while many may never be courageous enough to ditch their studies for music, for Chrystal the gamble is paying off.

Her new single Waves has been picked as the Weekend Anthem on BBC Radio 1xtra, the World Record on Beats1 and even made its way onto the Hottest tracklist in the Sunday Times.

Released earlier this month, the track is making the 28-year-old’s dreams come true, much to the joy of her 10-year-old daughter.

Chrystal said: “This is something that has been building for quite a while and in the last year has really got somewhere.

“I have been working on music for six years when I started producing and writing. I’ve been almost there so many times but now it feels like I really have.

“In the song I shout where I’m from. It is about changing how you view life to the positive. There have been down times in life but you come out of it and can see a brighter perspective.

“My little girl is so excited about it all too. I was in the McDonald’s car park the other day and heard some teenagers playing the song while I was sat there eating a burger. She was so excited when I told her!”

At the age of 22 Chrystal was studying law at the University of Bolton but swapped courses and moved to Manchester Media Academy to study music and music production.

In the last 12 months she was discovered and signed to London-based independent record label 37 Records, which has previously signed the likes of Basement Jaxx, Plan B, Kano, Mystery Jets and Marina & The Diamonds.

The team found her through her Bolton-based videos and came to visit Chrystal in Farnworth.

Since then she has been writing and recording in London, including working with producers in the run-up to realising Waves.

Chrystal adds: “I wrote Waves a year ago and I was going to release it myself so I’m really excited to have it come out.

“This whole time I have been writing music, recording stuff. I have plans to release a few more singles and an album. I’m keen to get more music out before performing some live gigs, especially in Bolton!

“My music is quite pop but the feedback I’ve had from others people say it’s more alternative.

“I write everything myself and I’m writing for other artists at the minute too, which is quite exciting! I’m so passionate about music and everything around it, that’s why I think it’s come to fruition, because of that passion and hard work.”

Waves is available on download and streaming services now.