AFTER hiding in his bedroom with a guitar for 10 years, Plymouth-born Chris Linton decided to reveal his incredible vocal talents and songwriting skills only 6 months ago and is already causing a stir on the city's live music scene.
Even the singer's family and friends had no idea that the 26-year-old could sing or play guitar and the only audience he could face were viewers on the popular online video platform, YouTube.
"In school I was always into stage and drama. Drama developed into musical theatre and musical theatre developed into singing. I've always been able to sing and I started writing songs when I was sixteen, but I just haven't been able to do it in front of people.
"Nobody knew and I kept it to myself because of my lack of confidence. I was mega shy as a child, I cared more about how people see me rather than how I feel about myself and that's been overbearing for me.
"The YouTube community were great but it's a platform that is really hard to be noticed on. You need to post your video at the right time, with the right material, the right song – it wasn't working, so I had to find other means of doing it."
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The Navy Writer then decided to take the plunge and take a step out of his comfort zone when he began to understand the true potential of his voice through a complete accident.
"I used to have my songs on my iPod and one time when I was in the office working I had put my iPod into the docking station without thinking and my song ended up playing. My colleagues asked if it was me singing and said that that my voice is distinctive.
"I then only decided to start performing in March this year. I realised that I need to go out and show myself and it's paying off. Something just clicked and I went to an open mic randomly and thought that it was great. From then on I've been hooked!
"I suppose it's all about when you're ready - I was 25 and I wanted to make it in the industry. I had loads of ammo in terms of songs and I guess I wanted to make up for lost time and try to pursue a career that I feel I could probably do alright in.
"When I'm on stage in front of people it's different. Over time I've gradually learnt that I can do it and not worry about what people think, and a lot of people seem to like it which is great.
"Over the last 6 months my style has changed. I used to like writing really bad break up songs and now I'm writing about different things and making them a bit more pop and upbeat. I try to convey a sense of emotion in my voice and my songwriting, I don't want to be a robot about it.
"I think that's because when you're at home you don't know what's current for an audience. Going out there and getting feedback from people has made me think that I need to up my game in certain areas and because of that my songs have got better.
"Meeting other artists does that too. We are a really close group of friends in the Plymouth music scene but at the end of the day they are also competition. It has made me want to push myself so that I can be a bigger player. It's all about standing out and that's really important to me because the music scene here is amazing with a fantastic selection of artists. We're all fighting for that top spot!"
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Since Chris decided to swap living in the shadows to lighting up the stage he has been met with an accolade of recognition including being asked to perform at MTV Crashes Plymouth and having his track 'Wild Cards' reviewed by BBC Introducing Devon's Roundtable panel. The Ed Sheeran and Damien Rice fan is also set to release his debut EP, Ascension next month.
"I'm making up for lost time! You always learn from past experience. I think I was quite naive thinking that I could just upload videos, there are a few artists that have managed that like Justin Bieber and Kate McGill and I thought I could follow that route but it didn't work out.
"I'm recording my EP with Fleet Street studios, it's pretty cool and I'm enjoying it. One is a song I wrote a couple of years, but the other three are songs I've written in the last six months.
"I chose the name Ascension because I wanted to reflect my journey. I've ascended from my bedroom to the stage, and this is me now."