Up-and-coming Scottish singer-songwriter Ally Kerr has slowly been making a name for himself touring around Europe and Japan, with his heartfelt folky tunes. As well as using the internet to get his songs heard, his hit, The Sore Feet Song, was snapped up by Japanese anime series Mushishi and used as the theme tune, which helped give his career that extra boost. inSing.com caught up with Ally to see what's been going on before Baybeats.

You've been compared to the likes of Simon & Garfunkel and Belle & Sebastian. What do you think of those comparisons and whom would you personally compare your sound to?
 That's very flattering. I've just been watching a live Simon & Garfunkel DVD actually. Brilliant music. Belle & Sebastian were a band I listened to a lot back when If You're Feeling Sinister came out - what a great album - and the EPs around that time too. I'm sure all the bands I listen to and like come out in a little way in my music, but it's not deliberate and I just write from my heart, but yes I can see why people can hear elements of those artists in my music.

When did you start songwriting?
It was a few years ago, when I was in my early 20s, before I even picked up the guitar which is kind of strange as most people I've spoken to or read about were about 13-15 years old when they started learning their instruments. I've always been a late developer with everything I do. I started writing songs as soon as I'd figured out a few chords.

Have you ever felt that you'd like to play with a whole band?
If you mean forming a band of my own, then no. My first experience in being creative was when I was a teenager and I wrote short stories, then I moved into writing comedy and then later I began to write songs, so this became my new creative outlet. I'm used to writing alone and being in control of what I do creatively, so the idea of a band just never really came into my head, though I would like to collaborate at some point in the future with other artists, that would be a valuable experience.

Are you inspired by any particular songwriter?
Not one songwriter in particular, but I love the melody, emotion and connection in songwriting. So any writer who can incorporate those elements into music moves and inspires me.

Do you have a favourite Scottish artist?
Actually, some of my favourite artists in the world live very near me. Two (as there are too many to mention) examples off the top of my head would be The Starlets and the Bill Wells Trio. There are many many more! Glasgow is bursting with musical talent.

How did Mushishi get hold of your Sore Feet Song?
I believe that one of the people high up in the production company who make Mushishi had bought my album, heard 'The Sore Feet Song' and thought the song was right for the theme music. Happy timing.

How have you managed to get yourself heard all over the world?
The Internet facilitates most of it, but behind that is a lot of work I do to spread the word with little financial or marketing budget. Also of course Mushishi helped reach people who would never have found my music and for that I'm very grateful.

Has Mushishi  using it as the theme tune advanced your career at all?
Sure, it's turned more people onto my music, supported me to a degree financially and so ultimately advanced my career.

How important is commercial success in England to you - is that something you feel you have to achieve, or are you happy with touring the world and having a 'cult' audience?
It's never been a concern of mine, I just want to make a comfortable living doing the job I love - being creative, making music and reaching as many people as I can, irrespective of where they live. It's very hard for independent artists to survive though. The Internet is amazing for spreading the word of music but there has to be sales to fund recording / living through music. These are confusing/exciting/scary times for those who make music their job.

If you could play any venue in the world, where would it be?
When I started it was any venue in New York City. I've not been for a few years but I've always had this idea that I'd love to play there. I'd still like to play there, but San Francisco appeals too.

Have you ever visited Singapore before?
Never. The closest I've been is Malaysia. I'm excited at the prospect of visiting Singapore.

Do you have any idea what to expect?
I expect to meet some very lovely people, witness some great live music and be introduced to some fantastic local food. One perk of playing abroad to me that always appeals is tapping into the local knowledge of food and trying as much as possible!

Ally Kerr is performing as part of Baybeats 2009 on Friday, August 29 at these times:

Chillout Stage, Concourse - 8.30-9pm

Arena outdoor Theatre - 10-10.45pm

Check out the inSing.com event listing here for information about Baybeats.