Last updated at 20:07, Thursday, 12 July 2012

Cockermouth is home to a singer-songwriter and author who is one of music’s most creative young stars.

CREATIVE NOTE: Cockermouth singer-songwriter Sid Wright, 23, who is also penning a book of short stories

Sid Wright, of New Street, has released two albums, recorded three more which have yet to be released, and is writing a book of short stories – all at the age of 23.

He was introduced to music at an early age and his teachers were quick to point out his natural gift.

He had lessons in the piano accordion and at the age of 10 he was awarded the top mark in Britain in his age group for preliminary grade one.

His grandfather encouraged his gift by showing him a variety of music, but Sid quit music altogether, believing that the piano accordion wasn’t a trendy enough instrument.

Aged 15, his passion for music was rekindled when a friend introduced him to the acoustic guitar and he took up lessons.

Not only could he play the guitar and piano accordion but he learned to play the violin and ukulele as well.

He was in a band with friends, called Ahead-By-One, but it soon split up and Sid embarked on a solo career.

He found it hard to adjust to performing as a solo artist, having never had much confidence in his own abilities.

He says: “I don’t perform much because I’m not confident. I just like sitting in my room writing.

“I can enjoy performing but I’m not a confident person at all.”

Despite a lack of self-assurance he released his first album on iTunes last year, called Greedy Sleeper, which was released by Maori Music Publishing and has been heard in more than 30 countries.

His second album, Lackadaisical, released in March, was featured in an iTunes list in April of the best music of 2012 so far.

Sid says: “A lot of artists talk about a difficult second album and I understand that now.

“But when the reviews started coming in, it was worth it.”

Sid has performed at West Cumbria’s Solfest in 2010, and for the next two months he will perform 12 hours a week onboard a ferry from Stranraer to Belfast.

Sid doesn’t think that a lack of confidence should stop musicians from fulfilling their potential.

He says: “The music scene in West Cumbria is highly underrated. There is a lot of talent out there.

“I have seen a lot of people who don’t have the confidence and don’t pursue it, but they should.”

Sid’s talents for songwriting don’t just apply to music, as he is also working on a book of short stories, called The Contemplations of a Nobody.

All money raised from the sales of the book will be donated by Sid to the charity Road Peace in memory of Cockermouth brothers Chris and Niggy Townend, who died in a road accident in 2010.

He says: “I read when I was young that everyone has a book in them and I wanted to see if it’s true.

“Niggy was a good friend and I thought it would be nice to raise a bit of money for Road Peace.”

Sid is managed by 19-year-old Chris Nelson, of Penrith. They got to know each other when Chris gave Sid’s Greedy Sleeper album a five-star review on iTunes.

They have struck up an excellent working relationship and Sid says he is pleased with how things are going.

He says: “The next step is to get a label.

“I want to find the right label. I want to keep a lot of the creative control and have the input. I want to work with someone and not for someone.”

First published at 19:25, Thursday, 12 July 2012
Published by http://www.timesandstar.co.uk