IT’S an album that was recorded in a Glasgow flat – and now it could be set to scoop one of the biggest prizes in music.

Glasgow-based musician C Duncan’s debut effort Architect was a hit with critics when it was released earlier this year, and has been nominated for the Mercury Music Prize, which is announced on Friday.

That’s not bad going for a record made at home.

“I was just in complete shock,” says Chris, who is originally from Drymen near Stirling but now lives in Kelvindale.

“I’m still not used to it. There was a lot of excitement - I always follow the Mercury and now I’m nominated it’s totally surreal and really exciting.

"I’ll be there, having a good time and hopefully hanging out with Roisin Murphy (who’s also nominated) and some other fun people.”

Chris moved to Glasgow to study at the Royal Conservatoire, and comes from a musical background, with both his parents classical musicians.

His own material touches upon some of those classic influences, but it’s much more in thrall to dream-pop and a heavy dose of harmonies.

The result is a record that it’s easy to get lost in, filled with warm harmonies and hazy melodies.

"It’s also an album steeped in Glasgow, right down to a cover painting by Chris that showcases the city from above.

“The Conservatoire was something I really loved,” explains Chris.

“The composition department is something that was great, very eclectic and there was a lot of influences there.

"It really inspired me to keep writing music. I think the city did seep in (to the music) but not in a grimy way.

“It was much more something where I really love Glasgow and will probably spend most of my life there, but I quite often think about escaping to random places, like Monaco or Kenya.

"Just anywhere random… And I put that into the music, where a lot of the songs maybe aren’t about escaping, but just getting away for a while.”

The irony is that while Chris was dreaming of far-flung locations, he was making the album in his own flat.

Recording in his home studio was partly a decision made due to saving money, but it’s also something that the 26-year-old feels benefitted how he actually wrote the songs.

“Obviously it’s great from a financial standpoint, but it’s really a creative thing,” explains Chris.

“When you’re surrounded by equipment you can pick up a mike whenever you want.

"You don’t have to get a studio slot, you don’t have to psyche yourself for going into the studio or anything like that.

“It’s much more regimented doing it in the studio, whereas at home you don’t have to go to bed, you can just keep the headphones on and keep working.

"Obviously you can come into contact with other people if you want to but you can spend days by yourself, just getting lost in another world.”

Glasgow provided plenty of inspiration closer to hand, though.

As well as his music he’s also a keen painter, often inspired by his surroundings in the city.

“Painting is my hobby if music’s the job,” he says.

“I spend a lot of time researching other artists and doing my own paintings, and it’s something that I find very relaxing. The album cover was all these overhead views of Glasgow because I wanted to paint all the places I’d been in and I really like the view of streets from above - there’s so many little parts to paint as part of it, which was fun.”

Music was always the first love though, as Chris started playing the piano at the age of six.

As the years went on his musical tastes varied, and he mentions liking anything from the Carpenters to heavy metal. Some of those influences can be heard bubbling away on Architect, and also in his live gigs, where he often varies the songs to accommodate the rest of his live band.

A run of Scottish dates will arrive at the start of December, including his biggest headline show to date at the Art School on Saturday December 5.

“It’s going to be great,” he enthuses.

“They’re homecoming gigs, so should be fun. We’re getting more confident at using reverb to fill out the sound, and we’re just getting better at playing music, so the sound is growing as we go along.”

C Duncan, Art School, December 5, £9, 7pm