Singer-songwriter Ryan Bisland (26) is a Buddie born and bred, and despite a few years in London and Glasgow, now lives in Brodie Park.

Ryan, a sales rep for a packing company, didn't pick up his first guitar until he was 18.

He told Scene: "I was living in London then and it was a way of passing the time. I only started gigging a couple of years ago.

"I play mainly acoustic stuff — I like Ray LaMontagne and Kings of Leon. I take inspiration from a lot of people but try not to emulate them".

Ryan took a break at the end of last year to write a new set and is "just trying to gig as much as I can at the moment".

He is usually joined onstage by guitarist Neil Mulholland of local band Marvel Heights (previously featured in Scene.)

"Neil's an integral part. I can play alone but I prefer to have him onstage".

Last April Ryan had a great time supporting Scouting For Girls for Rock Against Racism after entering a competition online and winning through to the shortlist.

When the outcome was put to an online vote he won "in a landslide".
And at the gig, a large portion of the audience was chanting, we're only here for Ryan Bisland.

Ryan performs all over Glasgow and Paisley and doesn't prefer one to the other, although he admits gigging in his home town has become "tough" with all the pub closures.

"The gig at the arts centre is the last one I have booked so I'm just keeping my ear to the ground — but I try not to look too far ahead".

* Ryan is appearing at Paisley Unplugged this Saturday at 3pm. Admission is free and you should keep an eye on Scene and www.myspace.com/ryanbisland for upcoming gigs.