The new year looks bright for Borth singer-songwriter Cally Rhodes, and 2018 wasn’t bad either - the talented musician’s music was used on Strictly Come Dancing, and BBC Shropshire named her Best Artist of the Year.

Cally, who was born in Aberystwyth, will be remembered by many as Caroline, but under the name Cally Rhodes, the former Penglais School pupil has picked up 25,000 followers on Instagram.

Inspired by Kate Bush and Fleetwood Mac, Cally writes honest, melodic and catchy pop songs about survival, heartbreak and love.

No stranger to the music streaming world, her summer single, System, has already reached three million streams on Spotify.

Shortly after its release, System hit the Spotify Viral Top 50 charts in five countries.

As well as gaining amazing online support, Cally has just been named Best Artist of the Year 2018 by BBC Introducing in Shropshire and has also been BBC Introducing Artist of the Week nationally.

Her music has been played on BBC Radio 1, BBC Radio 2, BBC Radio Wales and has recently been used in the UK’s hit TV programme BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing.

Cally’s blog coverage includes Pop Dust, EDM Tunes, Dancing Astronaut, Gig Soup, Gas Mask Magazine, The Music Fix and Sweety High, where she was selected as their Woman Crush Wednesday.

But what does 2019 hold for her?

“I’m really excited about this year,” Cally told the Cambrian News.

“I’m going to be releasing seven singles over the year, as well as going out and playing a lot of live gigs with my band.

“I feel like I’ve found my niche in music and Spotify has been a great tool for people to come across it.

“I’ve recently had writing sessions in London with Si Hulbert who’s written with Ed Sheeran for One Direction as well writing for Jess Glynn and the Sugarbabes. He’s become a great friend of mine.

"I’m also meeting Dee Adam this month who’s just finished writing Dido’s new single. I’m grateful to be able to write with talented people.

“Winning Shropshire’s BBC Introducing Artist of the Year 2018 was so encouraging.”

Describing her writing style, Cally said: “I’d say it’s chilled pop music, and I’ve really started developing my writing style and sound last year.

“I absolutely love writing pop songs and I’d love to write a hit!

“I’ve found online streaming and social media has been a great platform for promoting my music, which is probably how Strictly Come Dancing came across me! They ended up using two of my songs in Strictly; Anyone But You in the semi finals and Your Place in the final.

“They literally just reached out over email saying they liked my music and could they use some songs! “It was a lovely surprise.”

Cally’s upcoming single, Like I Used To, comes out on 18 January.

For the full feature, see this week’s Cambrian News, on sale now