A young singer-songwriter sees his new album launch this weekend not only as a creative feat but as a personal victory over anxiety.

Fred Clark, from Maidstone, has performed at many big music events across the county including Medway’s Love Music Hate Racism. But despite the apparent ease of his gigs, he has had to work hard to overcome the anxiety that threatened his art.

The new album, Long Walk Home, is a self-written, self-produced album that has taken Fred, 22, just over a year to complete.

“The songs detail many experiences in my life, both good ones and ones that were tough,” said the acoustic musician, who attended Oakwood Park Grammar School and the University of Kent at Chatham.

“Last year I got to a point where I could no longer perform. It was a real struggle. The thing I love the most, not only music but so many things in life, became too much to do.

“Over the course of months I’ve worked extremely hard with the help of family, friends and cognitive behavioural therapy to challenge myself and gradually build up the things I do, mainly focusing on finding my confidence with performing.”

Fred added: “It’s certainly a long process and one that I continually need to keep working on, but I am so happy that I have the confidence to do things and to hopefully inspire others.

“The main message is that sometimes the harder things in life are, the more rewarding it is. The response has been amazing from people.”

Fred will launch Long Walk Home at four gigs across the county this coming week.

First he appears at Pops Cafe in Maidstone High Street on Saturday, June 21, from noon to 4pm, and then moves on to The Star in Gillingham at 9pm.

On Sunday, June 22, he is back at Pops Cafe from noon to 4pm. On Thursday, June 26, he will play at Pizza Express, Maidstone, at 7pm, for which tickets cost £7. Call 0845 6027017.

For more information, visit www.fredclark.co.uk