LEWIS Markson is the latest Hampshire musician to come under the spotlight. Rosalind Fountain finds out how the Southampton singer songwriter is faring in a number of national contests....

Q. You’ve recently celebrated your 18th birthday, and you have started to gain recognition and win competitions, which is very exciting, but when did your interest in performing begin?

A. When I was seven years old I wanted to be a drummer in a band, so I learned to play drums, but by the time I was 12, I would spend a lot of time sitting on the floor playing Xbox. Someone in the family suggested I should learn something useful and that’s when I decided to take up the guitar. I learned a Guns N’ Roses song, and then started to write my own songs.

Q. Tell us about the songs you write.

A. I wrote my first song Belong when I was 14. It is about finding someone special, love, and a feeling of belonging. I now write about life experiences, my own and those of people I know. Many young people find life difficult, suffering from anxiety and depression, but when asked how they are, reply “I’m fine”. I’ve written a song about it, how people hide behind saying that everything is fine, when it really isn’t. My songs are a mix of indie, folk, reggae, blues and soul.

Q. Now you have reached the final of a national songwriting competition. How did that come about?

A. I heard about the Future Music Songwriting competition which looks for the best song writers in the country. I auditioned and went through two more stages and now I’m in the final in London. It’s a great opportunity to perform in front of A&R representatives for major record labels, so I’m excited and nervous, as I’ll be up against some of the best aspiring song writers in the U.K.

Q. You’re also in the Grand Final of Open Mic Uk at the N.E.C. in Birmingham, so you’ve had quite a year.

A. I’m fairly new to performing in front of big audiences, so when I entered this contest I just wanted to give a great performance and hopefully make an impression and be remembered. It was a real thrill and a surprise to get to the final. Now I have the difficult task of choosing which song to sing.

Q. What does the future hold?

A). I’ll always want to be involved in the music industry, performing and perhaps moving into music production. But I have a real passion for making the world a happier place. Many people struggle through their early years, school days, teens, and I see a lot of sadness in the world. I have an ambition, be it through my music or in any way I can, to help people feel more joyful, to work through issues that trouble them, and to make life more meaningful. I want to be part of a change for the better.