In an island bursting with young musical and performing talent, one name in particular is starting to is generate a lot of attention.

Mae Challis is fast becoming well known and highly regarded for her thoughtful and mature songwriting and stunning live performances.

A prolific songwriter, she released her first EP aged 15 and now she is on the verge of releasing her debut album.

Given the tentative title of ’Put it on Repeat’, the album was given a preview at a series of small gigs held last week in Douglas and she hopes to have the album available soon.

’I’m very proud of my debut album,’ said Mae.

’It’s a very eclectic mix of songs, and they range from soft and thought provoking to teenage angst heavy rock.’

Many of her songs cover her own trials she has faced growing up, and in a startlingly mature way covers teenage crushes, first loves, parental break-up and broken relationships in such songs as ’More of You’, ’Rollercoaster’ and ’Bad In Me’.

The working title is taken from a line in her song, ’Headphones’, and gives a thoughtful and touching response to the death of a close friend.

’I wrote ’Headphones’ for a friend of mine who was killed in a crash when she was 14.

’We used to share headphones and listen to music together on the bus. After she died I lay in a field with my headphones on and thought about what is going to be like growing up without her.’

Ever since winning the annual youth talent contest ’The Next Big Thing’ in 2014, Mae has kept writing and performing, becoming a regular face at the many open mic nights and festival stages around the island.

She has since supported groups such as Turin Brakes, John Newman and Lucy Spraggan.

As a precociously talented child, she played classical piano, before picking up the drums, and ultimately the guitar.

’There was always music in our house, as a child I’ve grown up surrounded by music,’ she said.

’The radio was always on at home and I always loved to sing along.

’My influences change all the time. I take inspiration from everywhere constantly but I don’t really idolise anyone. I like to think I don’t sound like anyone else.’

With a management team behind her, Mae is now making plans to head to the UK to perform and to continue to develop. On the release of her album, it may become very hard to ignore her.