A SINGER-SONGWRITER is making a name for herself in the alternative music scene despite not having a tortured artist's background.

Zoe Mead, 19, of Angus Close, Ramleaze, has entered national competition Live and Unsigned for the second year and will compete in the regional semi-final on March 23.

She said: "My life is pretty un-tragic so I have little to write about - no-one's ever run off, my parents are still together. I have no hate for anyone.

"I'd love to go on X-Factor and be one of the ones that cry and get through, but I can't!"

The teenager, who won Best Regional Female last year, fits gigs around her time studying events management at Bournemouth University and will perform at Swindon's 12 Bar in April.

Her inspirations are Damien Rice, Kate Nash, Dashboard Confessional and other alternative musicians.

Zoe only took up the guitar four years ago and has never had formal training.

"When I was young my sister and I were always pretending we were in a band and singing songs," she said.

"I do not really believe in singing lessons. I want to sing how I feel like singing rather than having someone telling me how to sing."

Though Zoe has entered mainstream competitions such as Rock Idol in Bristol, she has realised that is not the way she wants to make her name.

"I do not think X Factor would really like me. They are very much into their Mariah Careys," she said.

"When I entered Live and Unsigned last year I was just playing songs and being what I thought I should be.

"If you are going to be an established artist you can't do that. You have got to choose what you want to be and just go and do it."

Zoe hopes to distribute her music and eventually be signed up by a record label.

She said: "There are two ways you can go about it - by getting famous on the underground scene or sort of selling your soul.

"I want the best of both worlds - I want a record label that will let me do my own thing."