Everyone's rumbling on about James Morrison being discovered in Derby but there's no way he's the last word in talent from this city. Take Julie Collings for example. Beautiful melodies, crystal clear voice, fantastic harmonies - and a worldly wisdom far beyond her 25 years. Taking in influences including Shawn Colvin and Suzanne Vega, Julie has a dreamy, melancholic sound that's earnt her a loyal following and superb live reputation.  | | Julie Collings |
And with her new album Flotsam receiving a warm critical response, things are going pretty well for Julie at the moment. She said: "I started off writing little love songs in the back garden when I was about 12 or 13 but it wasn't till I was about 16 that I started writing anything people would want to hear. "Since then it's progressed to writing an EP and then an album. "I don't see myself as a chart star. I'd just really love to get to the situation where I'm gigging all the time - that and writing. "But obviously if Jools Holland wanted me to go on his show, I'm not going to say no!" Julie's first experience of playing live was in an acoustic group called The Ferradays when she was still at school. When the band went its separate ways, friends convinced her to carry on performing. She explained: "People suggested I go to an open mic night and give it a go. So I did that and people seemed to like it. "They wanted to take a CD away with them so that's when I produced a four-track EP to give out. "I still get nervous when I'm about to do a live performance but once I'm up there singing and playing, I really love it." | 
