Luke Hirst is one of a handful of local musicians who seem to have the potential to take the step up from well-known local talent to nationally-respected artist, writes James Rush.

At the tender age of 19, Luke has already received the sort of exposure most aspiring stars dream of, both with his solo material and as singer and guitarist for Keighley alt-rock combo, Dusty Not Digital (DND).

At the moment Luke, who has shared stages with the likes of The Thrills, Air, The Bees and Newton Faulkner, is hoping 2008 is the year his solo career will really take off.

With a number of recordings in the bag and another due, Luke, of Queensbury, has decided to take to the road to air the songs penned under his own name - currently gaining favourable reviews on his own MySpace page.

Although the songs are not a million miles away from the sonic boom of screeching guitars, church organs and wailing vocals of DND, Luke's solo recordings possess a colourful tinge which would not sit well with the band's repertoire.

While remaining in the realms of teenage angst misery, Luke's love of such bands as The Beach Boys and The Flaming Lips vividly shines through.

"I can try some ridiculous ideas with the solo stuff - if I want to stick a harpsichord or trombone in a song then I can do it without upsetting people, " said Luke.

"That is the idea anyway, that I have more freedom.

"Some ideas I can't really try in DND - it would sound completely wrong if we had done it."

This push into the lonely world of the singer/songwriter does not signal the end of DND.

After a fantastic year last year, which included opening the O2 Wireless Festival in Leeds during the summer, Luke and co are currently working on a whole new set.

He said: "We decided to scrap most of that old set - we will just be keeping Ideals in Progress."

Of course Luke, who co-hosts the Wednesday Night Sessions radio show on Ramair with Andy Smith, is no stranger to the solo circuit, having treaded those particularly isolated boards before the relative success of DND.

Following a few self-produced lo-fi releases, including the sold-out EP Fence Thief, indie label Heliotone issued Luke's debut single in December, 2004.

This in turn led to Luke being invited to play at a London City Showcase in September, 2005, where he was supported by a certain Newton Faulkner, who has since gone on to enjoy No.1 status with his album, Hand Built By Robots.

"I have to admit I'm a bit jealous now that he's had a number one album and I'm still sat in Queensbury," said Luke.

Luke, who hopes to have his latest demo completed soon, is set to perform at Hudsons Bar, in Great Horton Road, Bradford, this Thursday at 8.30pm, and next Sunday (February 17) at the Delius in Claremont, Bradford, with Get Out Of Cities, at 8pm.

Coming up: Love Apple, Bradford (March 9), Wagonners, Queensbury (April 17), Music Guru acoustic night, Royal Park Cellars, Leeds (May 5), and Vic, Saltaire (May 31).

More information from www.myspace.com/lukehirst.