If there's anyone we're seriously excited for this year, it's James Bay. With his debut album 'Chaos And The Calm' due out this Spring, this UK singer-songwriter spoke out about the coolness of being a solo musician.

James Bay promo
James Bay is set to release his debut album

The 24-year-old from Hitchin, Hertfordshire revealed last year that his enjoyment of some of the world's greatest rock bands led him to form various groups himself before finally settling down as a solo act after moving down to Brighton at the tender age of 19. Playing guitar since he was 11-years-old, he's had plenty of experience to weigh up the pros and cons of working in bands and working alone - but why is it he decided going solo was for him?

'I guess I realised, after being a huge fan of the Stones and Aerosmith and all these bands, the Beatles, Kings Of Leon, I realised that there was something at that time, and I guess still now, just a little bit cool about 'One Man And His Guitar'', he explains. 'From storyteller to guitar player, I liked both of those things'. He lists the likes of Bob Dylan, Stevie Ray Vaughn, John Mayer, Ray LaMontagne and Ben Howard as some of his main influences over solo songwriting over the years. 

More: Watch the full interview

'I realised why that was one of the reasons I started to play, before I thought about being in bands', he continued. 'I don't need guys around me necessarily because I can make this one sound.' Bay does, however, admit that while being a lone player in the music industry was where he felt he should be, he did occasionally contemplate employing other instrumentalists as his songwriting developed. But ultimately: 'Bands are great but I think [music] needs to be a bit more personal'.

More: James Bay flexes his musical muscles

James Bay has a string of upcoming tour dates in the coming months in the UK, Europe and Australia, and he's previously admitted he's especially looking forward to his double booking at London's prestigious Shepherd's Bush Empire on April 8th and 9th.

More: Watch James Bay performing 'Hold Back The River'

His forthcoming album 'Chaos And The Calm' hits shelves on March 23rd 2015.