BEING shortlisted for the 2008 Indy Award for Best Soul/Jazz/Funk Act, Bournemouth singer songwriter Louise Golbey is a name to watch as the UK music industry scatters in search of the next Amy Winehouse, or the new Duffy or tomorrow's Adele.

But Louise remains grounded enough to keep following her own groove.

"This may be a good time for me or it may not be a good time - I don't know," she says.

"All I know is that it feels like I'm moving in the right direction, playing lots and getting a good response."

Although born in Wembley, Louise and her family moved to Bournemouth when she was still a baby.

"It's my home town, always will be," she beams. "I had to move to London to pursue my music, but I always miss the sea and that's the first thing I seek out when I go back."

With a support slot to Brit-soul superstar Omar on April 26, the day after the Indy Award winners are announced, Louise rightly seems more concerned with being the first Golbey rather than the new Winehouse.

"It's very nice for people to say that, but there are some very good, very polished, soulful solo female singers on the gigging circuit. Lots of them have been to Brit School."

Just like Amy and Adele.

All of which feeds into a bizarre little race row blown up by chart topping UK soulstress Estelle - who reached number one with American Boy - who says she had to go to America to find a record deal whereas the British industry prefers so-called blue-eyed soul singers like Adele and Duffy.

"If that is the case I think it's very sad that we should even be talking about this in 2008," says Louise.

"Estelle is a fantastic artist who got a deal in the States and now has Kanye West on her record. Duffy and Adele are both great, but it's a shame if the industry has consciously decided to make a distinction based on skin colour. This country has always produced great singers, both black and white, who have been influenced by the music of black America."

With a sparse, moody backing, Louise's rich vocal style recalls that of Carleen Anderson - the American-born singer who found fame on these shores with Young Disciples - and can be heard on her Acoustic EP, available shortly through iTunes and on her website, louisegolbey.com. But she'd loved to play her home town.

"Playing the Landmarc or something like that would be great. Although I write on the piano and have played it live, I usually play just with a guitarist and a percussionist. I think my songs sound better that way.

"Soul may not be a very Bournemouth sound, but it's in the air down there. Club nights like Bump & Hustle were very soulful and there's something about the sea air that lends itself to the music.

"I grew up with lots of Motown and '70s soul and my brother was into hip hop so I was always headed in that direction."