Ten Things You Didn't Know About Jim Moray, young folk musician of the moment.

1. Who is Jim Moray?

Jim is 22, from Birmingham, and the future sound of folk music. He has been called the Radiohead of folk; his music nu-folk electronica, in other words a meeting of the traditional and the techno. In 2001 he was a finalist in the BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Musician of The Year award; in 2002, a nominee for the Horizon Award for best newcomer in BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards.

2. Where and when can he be seen playing in York ?

After an aborted plan to make his York debut at Fibbers on November 12, he is to play the Black Swan Folk Club on Tuesday on his 11-date Smoke And Mirrors itinerary, his first tour with jazz drummer Laurence Hunt and bass player Ryan Trebilcock.

3. Has he released an album?

Yes, in June, and not only released it on his own label, the splendidly named Niblick Is A Giraffe record company, but recorded, engineered and produced it too. The record is called Sweet England, comprising ten contemporary interpretations of timeless stories of loves lost, lives taken and journeys travelled. Began album in his college digs, concluded it at Afro Celt Sound System's London studio.

4. How does Jim describe his music?

"I'm making music that appeals to me as a 22-year-old, reasonably well-rounded musician. Absorbing influences and interpreting songs your own way is a deeply traditional thing to do, and I feel I'm coming from a tradition of innovation if you like.

"I think what I do is just folk music from the point of view of someone that has heard hip-hop and The Smiths and Ligetti and Joseph Taylor and Radiohead and S-Club, and doesn't differentiate beyond whether it's good or not."

5. What instruments does he play?

"Instrumentally, I really do play whatever it takes. On this album I played guitar, piano, drums, bass and programming. I learnt to play/produce basic noises from violins, concertina, melodeon basses, and a cornet. A lot of sounds are actually vocals that have been processed and re-sampled. I was joined by a lot of friends from music college, and the record was made in my bedroom on equipment effectively paid for by the student loans company."

6. Where did he study?

Jim grew up in Macclesfield and Stafford, then studied classical music composition at Birmingham Conservatoire in 1999. "I've played instruments all my life. I'm 22 now and I can't really remember when I wasn't playing. I started with piano, and then I played drums in local bands for some years, before I went to the conservatoire. Even as a drummer I'd been writing songs but singing drummers wasn't a great image, so I'm glad I made the shift to guitar."

7. What did he learn at college?

"I went to the conservatoire not to be taught things but to learn things for myself. If people tried to force me to do things, it didn't work, so they usually gave up. I was left to find out for myself and it afforded me the chance to play things on my guitar or piano eight hours a day. When I did run into a problem I could always run down the corridor and ask someone for advice!

"I spent a lot of time working in bands and working in the conservatoire studio. Hardly anyone was using it so I could book it for a day, and I came to understand music that way."

8. Given his training, why does he focus on folk music rather than classical?

"I've been listening to folk music and the music I play for all my life. My mum and dad were involved in the Stafford folk scene, and I grew up surrounded by it, and I'm sure you will agree it's just great material.

"I started doing folk songs in my set and I realised they were better than the songs I was writing, and I thought 'these are the best songs you can play'. You can't really compare a song you've written on the bus because your girlfriend has just left you with a 300-year-old traditional song."

9. Can he understand the fuss surrounding his nu-folk?

"It's the most traditional thing in the world to put your own spin on things. The music I've grown up with has ranged from Duran Duran to Britpop in my teens, then Radiohead, and obviously I'm going to sing songs with an Eighties and Nineties' accent to them. So I don't think there is anything revolutionary to what I do, and what I'm doing is being true to the folk concept."

10. What comes next for Jim?

A DVD version of Sweet England with accompanying films, mostly animated; commissioned and compiled by Jim, for post-Christmas release. Next album is at least 18 months away. "The common problem is that people have all their life to write their first album, then only six months to do the next one, so I'm trying to write all the time because you have to work on a smooth progression."

Jim Moray plays Black Swan Folk Club, York, on Tuesday, 8pm. Admission is on the door only, price £6, concessions £5.

DID you know?

BELLA Hardy, the violin and viola player in Tuesday's support act, York folk group Ola, is Jim Moray's girlfriend.

Updated: 09:42 Friday, November 14, 2003