Scott Linn - New Artist Profile

“You've just got to get out there and play to whoever is listening.” In the midst of the acoustic storm, an artist from the North Devon coastal village of Braunton, has strummed his way through his teens to his twenties. Scott Linn, who manages independent record store in Barnstaple called Solo Music by day, cites many old school artists as his influences. ”I like songwriters like Bruce Springsteen, Tom Waits, Bob Dylan as well as modern songwriters like Ryan Adams, Conor Oberst and Brian Fallon.” His music combines husky vocals with harmonicas, self styled folk-punk-rock-n-soul. “I have just started playing with a backing band called The Broken Bottles so at the moment we are working on a set with the intention of playing some shows in early 2013.”

Although Linn has been mainly a solo artist, he has been in bands since his early teens. “When I was about about 14 or 15 just messing around at my friends houses. We sounded awful but we had fun. That's what it's all about. Especially when you are just starting out playing music.” Coming under a few names, his solo project has ranged from punk to acoustic. Going by his influences, his eclectic taste is reflected in his music. He is certainly an all rounder in terms of music. He also names writers as influences. “I read a lot by writers like Jack Kerouac and Charles Bukowski.”

He favours venues with a close knit atmosphere such as The Agricultural Inn located in Braunton, fondly named “The Aggi”, or The Factory in Barnstaple’s old Brannam Pottery site. Growing up in Braunton, he is a proper local “bey” and strongly believes in keeping music local. “North Devon has a really fantastic acoustic scene.” Many artists such as Ben Howard and Seth Lakeman have found success in Devon and broke in to the mainstream.  “Music trends come and go and there has definitely been a decline in guitar bands in the area over the last few years. With a younger generation more interesting in electronic and dance music but there are some great singer-songwriters in the area.”

He has recorded many EP’s and promo albums as an independent artist, most recently songs such as Mexican Candles in which blends harmonica and acoustic in one folk filled melting pot. He’s also recorded a demo called Natalie “I wrote it about one of my favourite Hollywood actresses Natalie Wood. I'm terrible at home demoing songs and rarely do it but I thought I'd give it a go with this track.” Despite being an independent artist, his devoted fans help promote his music through sheer word of mouth, Twitter and Facebook.