SOUTHAMPTON born singer songwriter Lisbee Stainton – who was playlisted by Radio 2 before reaching her 21st birthday – is returning to her south coast roots this Sunday.

Known as ‘The English Rose with The 8-String Guitar’, Lisbee plays Mr Kyps in Parkstone on April 7.

The Daily Echo caught up with Lisbee and asked her about her burgeoning career, that nickname and working with folk hero Seth Lakeman.

So when did Lisbee start playing the guitar?

“When I was eight. That was the hardest thing about learning to play the banjo – I’d played the guitar for so long and thought the banjo would be similar, but it really wasn’t,” she says.

Lisbee plays an eight stringed guitar hence the nickname ‘The English Rose with The 8-String Guitar.’ How did this come about?

“It was made for me in 2009. I went to see a luthier called Joe White, who is amazing, he’s been fixing guitars for me for years.

“I wanted a 12-string, but he said he had an idea for an eight-string and needed someone as a guinea pig.

“Within two months, I had it. It’s fantastic, sounds like a dulcimer, and it’s a lot of fun to play.

“It makes everything I play sound more difficult than it actually is, too, which is a good thing."

It’s been almost two years since your last album. Are you recording a new one?

“Yes, I’m busy writing at the moment so hopefully I’ll release later in the year. I’m busy preparing for my tour too.

“Those two things are taking up every second I get. We’ll aim for September time with the album. I’ve recorded my parts, so we’re getting other musicians in to sort the arrangements and things.

Are you writing songs with Seth Lakeman?

“I have been. We met last May when I was asked to support him around Germany. I’d never met him before but have been a big fan since I was about 17.

“He sent me an email just before the tour asking if I’d like to sing some harmonies for him on the tour, which I thought was putting a lot of faith in someone he’d never met.

“It went well, singing together every night. As the tour went on people were telling us to do more stuff together.

“He asked me to go on another tour with him, playing the banjo.

“I couldn’t play the banjo at that point but went out and bought one, learned it, and went on tour. Since then we’ve written together too which was really enjoyable.”