Going solo is next step for Mitchell

A Bunbury teenager is using his gap year to build his musical profile in the South West, recently releasing his debut single, _Don't You See _.

Ex-Bunbury Catholic College student Mitchell Martin is currently working at the school and its Mercy branch as a music teacher and is using his spare time to write his own music.

"I want to record my own album with about 12 of my own songs," the 18-year-old said.

"I'm part of a three-piece band right now, Three Steps North, but I want to be a solo artist as my career."

Mitchell met his band mates Kye Murray and Kimmy Tait through school and family friends and have been together for two years performing around the South West.

Percussionist Kye plays an interesting drum from Peru called a Cajon, Kimmy sings and plays the keyboard while Mitchell sings and plays the guitar.

"We play heaps, at all different gigs," Mitchell said.

"Kimmy and I are both solo artists but we come together really well."

With gigs for solo performances on top of the band's gigs, his schedule had been busy the past few months.

"I'm averaging about two gigs a weekend," he said.

"Now that I'm solo I'm also getting a lot of weddings which is exciting."

"I play pop music, but I always try and put a bit of a twist on it so I'm not cliche."

Three Steps North performed at this year's Battle of the Bands and Mitchell said he had his first true 'fans' attend, local people that had found his songs on social media and wanted to see him live.

"That was really cool," he said.

Mitchell will spend the remainder of the year working on his solo album, his musical influences including Ed Sheeran, Hosier and Michael Buble.

"I'd love to get my name out there and for people to know my music."