Final is high note for young singer-songwriter

A FIFTEEN-year-old boy has made it through to the next round of a national music competition for original artists.

Singer-songwriter Ihsan Kerr will now perform at the regional final of Live and Unsigned on March 19.

Ihsan, who writes all his own music and lyrics, impressed judges at the Edinburgh heat of the competition by singing his own song Take My Heart When You Go and playing the guitar.

He will have to perform two songs at the regional final, one of which has to be a cover - he has chosen to sing a U2 song - as well as one of his own.

The teenager has been writing songs since he was 13, and plays the piano, tuba and guitar.

His influences include U2, Pink Floyd, Bob Dylan, The Beatles, Elvis and Robbie Williams.

He is planning to stage a few unpaid gigs in Edinburgh in the run-up to the regional final at different locations such as sports centres and residential homes.