With influences including PJ Harvey and Radiohead, you may not have expected singer/songwriter Jess Brown from Paignton to have gone in for a competition looking for the next big thing, but she’s in the regional finals of the Open Mic UK auditions in October

“I haven’t been in many of these types of competition before but as I could possibly promote my own music I thought it was worth checking out,” she said

“I’ve been playing and writing songs for some time and although originally from Devon, lived in California for eight years where I played in various bands as well as a solo artist. I’ve been back in the UK for two years now and have really been able to focus on writing and performing in that time.”

The next step is an album and tour… at some point.

“I’m hoping this competition will at least give me some more exposure and help raise my profile both locally and farther afield,” said Jess.

• This is an extract of an interview with Jess Brown on the People’s Republic of South Devon.