Rising singer-songwriter Tom Walker can’t wait to get back to Scotland – because he’s guaranteed a rowdy night with family and friends.

Despite a strong Mancunian accent, Tom was actually born in Glasgow and spent a few years living near Kilsyth before moving down south.

It means gigs like King Tut’s on May 16 are ones he relishes.

“I actually still slip into a Scottish accent when on the phone to my parents,” he laughs.

“When I’m back in Scotland for more than a couple of days the Glaswegian accent will start to slip in. I try and do as many gigs there as I can, because the crowds are always wicked and rowdy, which I like. My uncle and aunt are still there, and some of my parents’ friends, so I get there a couple of times a year at the very least.

“King Tut’s will be sick. Their soundman Gerry is absolutely brilliant and a lot of my family will be coming down – every time I play Scotland it’s like half the crowd are family members!”

He wasn’t always so comfortable with rowdy, noisy gigs, but believes he has really grown as a performer because of them.

“There’s been days in the past when I’ve crumbled because of that,” he says.

“But I think all the practice has been really good, and I can deal with most things now. If the crowd are up for a laugh then so am I – I don’t take this too seriously, I don’t expect everyone to sit in silence all night.

“It really annoys me when musicians just get annoyed when people talk, because it’s a night out and a chance to have some beers with their mates. As long as people have a good time at my shows then I’m happy.”

The troubadour is a bundle of enthusiasm, and he has plenty of reasons to be cheerful. Growing up on his parents record collections, he was inspired to play guitar after seeing AC/DC play live, and taught himself guitar, bass and drums.

Now his raspy voice and ear for a tune is bringing comparisons to the likes of Finlay Quaye and Paolo Nutini, with new EP Blessings coming on the heels of appearances on American TV programmes like the Today Show and sold-out gigs in New York and Los Angeles.

The 25-year-old’s newest track saw him collaborate with Jim Abbiss, the producer who has previously worked with the likes of the Arctic Monkeys and Kasabian.

While that team-up was successful, Tom is refreshingly candid that not everything has gone to plan.

“I spent a week in LA last year, writing with Kid Harpoon,” he says, referring to the English singer who’s now a songwriter for others.

“But to be honest, he had a pool at his house and the weather was really nice, so I didn’t get a lot done other than sitting around the pool drinking Corona and half writing a song that wasn’t very good.”

Tom studied for a degree in songwriting at university, and he is determined that the likes of last year’s Fly Away With Me aren’t just disposable pop but tell stories too. He feel there isn’t enough depth to modern chart hits.

“The lyrics are a massive thing to me,” he adds.

“I won’t release something unless I believe in the topic. There’s a lot of stuff on the radio about going to the club and getting drunk and having a great night, but I want a bit of substance there.”

Yet as his lively personality suggests, he’s not treating this like work just yet.

“Once this starts feeling like a job I don’t know if I’ll bother carrying on,” he says.

“I absolutely love music, and it’s a difficult transition from hobby to career, but I’m still enjoying it, so I must be doing something right.”

Tom Walker, King Tut’s, May 16, £8, 8.30pm