City musician's song to be used on underwear advert

Ran McSherry

But now the 28-year-old from the New Town is being tipped for success after recording an album with top Los Angeles-based rap producer Todd Averback.

And his debut single is set to be heard by millions - thanks to an underwear advert.

Ran finally returned Averback's out-of-the-blue call after a friend warned him he might be making the biggest mistake of his career.

The producer, who has worked with rap stars Dr Dre, Nelly and Timbaland, immediately invited Ran and his band, 10am, out to LA to record with him.

The still awe-struck budding rock star said: "I can't believe it, my producer is saying we could be the next big thing. He called me up randomly at 2am one night and said he loved my music and would like to fly me out to LA.

"I thought it was a joke so I hung up, cursing whoever the joker was. But then a mutual friend told me he was for real and the next month I was in LA."

The band have recorded a single, Crazy Eyes, which has been chosen from more than 2000 songs to appear on underwear firm Sloggi's new advert.

He and his bandmates, drummer Kyle Hermans and guitarist Mike Meeker, are also set to return to the States to finish off a 10-track album with Interscope Records, a branch of Universal.

A shot from the advert

The Perth-born musician, who moved to Edinburgh with his family when he was eight, describes his music style as mainstream rock - "a bit like Muse" - and is adamant he won't give up singing in pubs around the Capital.

He said: "I grew up gigging in places like Whistle Binkies and doing open mic nights in the city centre.

"It seems to be going well now, but it wasn't all smooth sailing. I tried to release a single when I was young and it totally fell apart. It was a disaster trying to deal with the big wigs and I realised how much of the music industry is to do with politics and accounting.

"I've always been into music but I became a private tutor when I was 22 as I didn't ever know if it would happen for sure. But then everything changed with the phonecall."

The band are now preparing for gigs at famous LA venues the Viper Room and the Roxy and flying out local designers to work with them.

"One moment I was getting drunk with the likes of Pete Doherty, the next I was in LA working with the best in the business, making an album and discussing doing a documentary with MTV," said Ran. "It's at the other end of the spectrum."