SOUTHAMPTON singer-songwriter Sean McGowan has signed his first record deal and announced a full band tour.

The Joiners’ favourite is joining Xtra Mile Recordings, home of Hampshire star Frank Turner plus other troubadours like Will Varley, Skinny Lister and Sam Duckworth.

He’ll tour Manchester, Nottingham, Bristol and London before playing his biggest headline show so far at Southampton’s The Loft on Saturday September 16.

“I’ve always said this sort of thing doesn’t happen to people like me, so it’s a lot to get used to” Sean, 24, said.

“It’s mad at the moment. I’ve worked at this for a long time, so if something good comes from it then it’ll be amazing. This is the start of my career. As well as the headline tour I’ve a new single and EP soon and my debut album will be recorded this year. It’s all written and ready to go.”

Sean, who works at The Joiners, is already a touring buddy of many of the Xtra Mile family and has built up a loyal following through his tireless performing. The record company’s managing director Charlie Caplowe joked: “To be honest, I had to double check that Sean wasn’t already signed to us, such is his deep-rooted affinity to the label and the acts!”

Sean has supported one of his heroes, former The Enemy frontman Tom Clarke, on a nationwide tour this month.

Tickets from joinerslive.co.uk.