EAST Kilbride has a rising country-pop star – and she is just about to release her debut album.

Lisa T has put everything, including her own money, into Puppet Master which is officially released on August 12.

The singer, who describes herself as somewhere between Patsy Cline and Miranda Lambert in her style of country music, story is one so familiar for many music greats.

For the 21-year-old realised her talent while singing at church.

The performer, whose real name is Lisa Thomson, said: “I was about 12 when I started singing in the church.

“They had a full rock band in there and they let me sing in the Christmas show.

“I just realised from there that I could sing.”

She added: “I don’t think, however, I took it seriously until I was about 15.

“That’s when I realised I could write decent songs.

“In fact some of the songs on my album I wrote when I was 15.”

Lisa T, who works as a civil servant, says her music might be country but it still has a Scottish vibe.

She added: “I have always loved country music since I was a wee girl.

“There is just something about it. I think being able to write a story about anything and anyone’s life is what drew me to it.”

Like many of her country contemporaries, the bright lights of a little known town is alluring to Lisa.

“I would definitely like to go to Nashville one day,” she beamed.

She added: “It is a dream to do it before I am 30.”

The album was recorded at Parr Street Studios in Liverpool and produced by Justin Johnson.

Lisa T will release the album via her own website, Amazon and iTunes and she hopes music fans are drawn to her sound.

She said: “My main goal is that my music gets heard by people who appreciate music.

“I think there is so many different styles of music in the charts these days.

“I feel that mine is even more different than all of what is already on offer.

“It is a niche market and I hope that the people who enjoy country music or pop music will tune in and listen to my music.”

The singer’s only obstacle to success perhaps is that country music isn’t as popular in the UK as it is Stateside.

Artists like Shania Twain, LeAnn Rimes and Taylor Swift have offered that crossover sound which propelled them into the spotlight.

But Lisa T wants to stay true to the country sound, and she believes there is a shift on the horizon which has seen the genre become more popular with UK audiences.

She said: “Country music here is getting bigger.

“They do a festival every year in the UK called Country to Country. And you had some of the biggest country stars from America coming over to the UK to perform.

“They done it in Glasgow in March and it was sold out.

“So it is growing and growing steadily.

“ I love country so much I don’t see myself crossing over. I think I will stay true to that music style.”

As well as a determination to stay true to her sound, Lisa T also seems to be in touch with how best to perform her music.

She said: “I love the adrenaline when performing. I always get nervous beforehand but when I am on stage it is about being in that moment and people listening to my music.

“Performing is always about the audience and what they want and appreciate.”

Knowing what the audience want is perhaps the reason why Lisa T already has a growing fan base.

She said: “ I keep myself quite close to my fan base.

“I know a lot of people who come to my gigs and I make a point of going out and meeting those people.

“It is really important to keep the fans connected to me.”

Lisa T will launch her album with an intimate show for fans, friends and family in the Art Centre in East Kilbride on August 12.

For more on Lisa T visit her website here http://www.lisatmusic.com/#!blank/ck0q