During her degree course in 2006/7 she was awarded the prize for outstanding musicianship. Also, during the first year of her degree she put her band together and was out gigging locally so that she could be up early the next day to get to her lectures. Chantel says “It was all about building a following, by keeping it local we built a massive following and now we are gradually spreading out playing all over the country and getting into Europe, it has all taken off since December”. Chantel says “Doing my degree was about getting it, having a back-up plan because I could fall down the stairs and break my fingers, you've got to have a back-up plan. I've ticked all the boxes and for interviews with TV etc. and I can talk with confidence because I know what I am talking about”.

When asked how she would categorise her music she laughs and says “It's music, it's Chantel music! If you wanted to, I'd categorise it as rock. There are blues tinges in it, Zeppelin are now categorised as a heavy metal band but back then they were stemming from blues. As long as it's good, I don't think it matters what genre it is”.

I asked Chantel what makes a good gig for her, “I love the connection with the audience” she answers. They might have come to the gig feeling down, they might have bad things going on their lives; but if they have a smile on their face by the end of the gig that is a job well done. She says “Music is just as much a therapy as anything else and if I can help people in that way then that's fantastic”.

When asked about her guitar playing style she says “It's a mush of everybody I have ever listened to, but probably most resembles Hendrix, Joe Bonamassa and Richie Kotzen”. When this shamefaced interviewer admitted to not knowing who Richie Kotzen was Chantel exclaimed “Ooooh he's amazing, he is incredible, he's so talented. Brilliant song-writer, brilliant guitarist!”. I promise to go away and do my homework.

Who would Chantel like to play with? Chantel would love to jam with many other musicians not just guitarists and said “If I could nick anybody's band it would probably

Chantel is absolutely clear she does not want to be classed as someone who “does 12 bars in A”.

I am barely able to get the next question out before Chantel laughs and says “CD”. She explains that she has only been in a position to own copyright for her own material since about November 2009 and is not prepared to compromise her high quality standards saying “It is probably going to be about 6 months, but I am not going to put something out that is not ready”.

Her focus for now is completing the current tour which has been a fantastic success so far. She tells me that she has a session lined up with Paul Jones for Radio 2 and towards the end of May the gig at the 100 club in London. She says “The focus for now is the tour, put on some fantastic shows, write some songs ...”. So for now, we have to be patient as far as a CD is concerned.

What advice would Chantel give to someone starting out as a musician? “Be prepared to work your butt off! There is a lot of work in it, it's not instant, you can't pick it up and be able to play 10 songs. It takes a lot of time, patience and effort.” Chantel explains that it takes sacrifice and a commitment to make music your top priority if you want succeed. She advises “Play with others, go to jam sessions, play with people that are older, they've learnt their craft, respect that and learn from them – if you want to get respect, you've got to give it”. Wise words indeed.

Back to the sound check, Chantel mentioned a TV show for children called “Zingzillas” - “It is amazing, it is the best kids programme for music, it is brilliant, discusses different instruments, duets etc.”

It is clear that Chantel is very passionate about music, always has been and always will be I am sure. She's achieved a huge amount already and through her live performances is giving a lot of pleasure to a lot of people. Long may it continue!