A Leicester-born 27-year-old musician has been listed as one of the 10 Faces to Watch in 2015.

Ben Webb, who performs under the name of Jinnwoo, featured on the Independent newspaper’s list of 10 performers including musicians, dancers, and stars of the stage and screen, who their critics believe are “rising stars ready to take the arts world by storm”.

Ben grew up in Barlestone, near Market Bosworth, before moving to the city centre to study at the University of Leicester. He then moved to Brighton in the summer of 2013.

He is a songwriter, singer and guitar player and released an debut EP last summer called Your Baby followed by a single called I Am, I Am, the World’s Oldest Man.

Ben said being picked as one of the top 10 faces to watch was “surreal”.

He said: “I knew I had been put forward, but I did not know whether I would be accepted.

“I did not want to get too excited as a lot of people had been put forward. It was a complete surprise.

“I have been working hard on music for the past four years. It is really nice that something is starting to pay off and I am getting some kind of acknowledgement. But, it still feels very surreal like there has been some kind of mistake.”

Ben added that when he found out he had made it on to the list he ran down the road to buy the paper.

At the moment Ben is finishing his first album called Strangers Bring Me No Light, which is due to be released in autumn this year. His next single is due out at the end of March or the start of April 2015.

He said: “I am really proud of the album.”

Ben said he first got into music as a social thing – when he was growing up he played in a band.

He added: “When I was 19 I started taking it more seriously and started writing something more different and putting my mark on things.”

Ben, who also works as a freelance photographer, added that he has played at the Musician, in Crafton Street West, Leicester several times.

In the ‘10 Faces to Watch’ list, when talking about Ben’s first two songs, the Independent said: “These early songs hint at a reclusive, introspective character somewhat at odds with Webb’s day-job as a professional photographer (he shot the cover for The Rails’ debut album).

“There’s certainly a quiet intensity to Jinnwoo’s work that recalls influences as disparate as Sixties folkie Anne Briggs and Elliott Smith.”

Adam Weikert, 28, who lives in Leicester city centre, is a friend of Ben’s who has produced a few of Ben’s tracks.

He said they met at an open mic night at Firebug, Millstone Lane, Leicester in 2011.

“I had never heard a voice like Ben’s and since then we have been friends.

“I am glad finally someone has recognised him.”