AN unsigned artist from Worcestershire is busy making a name for himself on iTunes with his latest release.

Ben Stancombe’s five-track EP Falling burst into the top-30 of the singer-songwriter chart on the popular download site, finding himself rubbing shoulders with the likes of Ed Sheeran, much to his own amazement.

At its peak, it hit number 27.

He said: “It really does feel amazing reaching that place in the charts, especially seeing yourself a few positions down from your music idols.

“I really didn’t expect it to be anywhere in any charts, especially with no management and having to push it all individually as I’m unsigned.”

The 17-year-old started work on the record early this year, with it finally getting released at the beginning of October after months of work went into the songwriting, recording and production.

Ben’s inspiration for songwriting is drawn from a range of emotions and events from his own life, taking in both good and challenging moments.

He describes the sound of the record as having an easy listening acoustic vibe while crossing into the blues of American musician John Mayer, and it appears to be going down well with his fans.

Ben added: “People seem to like the EP overall in itself, with the feedback and comments been given I feel very grateful for the kind things said.”

Fittingly, the Bromsgrove native is studying in the final year of a music course at Stratford- Upon-Avon College in Warwickshire, showing he is capable of putting in the hard work to forge his way in the music industry.

It is just as well because he says an even busier time is on the horizon, with a main run of gigs coming up at the beginning of 2013 to follow on from a variety of radio show appearances around the Midlands.

For more information, go to benstancombe.com.