A NORTHWICH musician is putting his hometown on the map as he makes his mark in the industry.

Lifelong Crowton resident Joe Banfi has been causing a stir in the industry since he was discovered by record label Communion Music last year.

Joe, who started writing his own material when he was just seven-years-old, was featured on XFM’s Great X-pectations last month, and with his second EP and first headline tour fast approaching, the 23-year-old has a lot to look forward to.

“I’ve been touring with Communion since September,” said Joe.

“But this will be my first headline tour on my own.

“A lot of stuff takes place in London so there’s a lot of travelling involved these days but I still live in Crowton – I love where I live and the travelling isn’t too bad.”

Joe’s music is influenced by a variety of artists including Nick Drake, Bruce Springsteen, Deftones and Queens of the Stone Age, with the inspiration for his latest work taken from his hometown.

“Crowton is pretty rural,” said Joe.

“You’ve got the beautiful fields in the summer and then in the winter it’s all bare and dark and I think those two things are in there with my latest EP.”

Joe’s love of music started when he was a student at The Grange School, where he played a part in several bands.

He said: “I was playing in a couple of bands with my friends at school. After a while I started to play on my own and that’s when I got picked up by Communion – it all sort of went from there really.

“My first EP [Iron] was out last September and my second [Nomads] is out on March 4, the same day my tour starts.

“I’m hoping to have an album out sometime this year or next but in the mean time I’m just writing all the time.”

Joe’s solo tour starts on March 4 when he takes to the stage at The Castle, Manchester.

For tickets, or more dates, visit communionmusic.co.uk/live and to listen to Joe’s music, visit joebanfi.bandcamp.com