This young Irish singer has been compared to artists like Adele and we have no trouble seeing why.

Áine Cahill, from Corratubber in Cavan, grew up with aspirations of being an actress and even playing Gaelic football for Cavan before falling into music.

I don't know if there was an exact moment when I said, 'Right lads, I'm going to be a singer.' I just love music, I love writing it, singing it, listening to it. My music was always just an outlet for me, I never thought 'This is the job for me,' y'know? But I think since I was 17 I could never see myself doing anything else.

Áine Cahill

The artist, who recently turned 21, received fantastic exposure in recent weeks, having taken part in the 2fm/Oxfam 'Play The Picnic' competition. She managed to reach the top 10 for the national contest, which secured her a slot on the Oxjam Stage at this year's Electric Picnic.

Over the course of the contest, and for as long as she has been performing, Áine has found herself being compared to many of today's great female singers.

There have been a few comparisons made between myself and Adele, Lana Del Rey and Amy Winehouse. They'd be the ones I hear the most. To be honest, I am delighted to be compared to artists that are as established as those. It is an unbelievable honour to be mentioned in the same sentence.

Áine Cahill

The 21-year-old counts Lady Gaga, Lana Del Rey and Marina and The Diamonds as her main inspirations, as they are "an example of what hard work, determination and ambition can do."

She's also hugely influenced by the jazz of the '40s and '50s, which shines through in her latest song 'Black Dahlia,' which tells the tragic true story of an unsolved murder in 1940s Hollywood.

Thus far, Áine has released a 5-track EP called 'Paper Crown,' which came out shortly before Christmas 2014 and was named the #1 unsigned Irish EP of 2014 by Unsigned and Independent Magazine. 'Black Dahlia' is the start of a new project she is currently working on with producer Martin Quinn from Jam Studios.

While her career is still in its infancy, she has been delighted to have already had the opportunity to rub shoulders with some of the Irish music industry's talent, having met the likes of Duke Special, Mary Coughlan, and Josh McClorey from The Strypes through her performances.

The singer has only recently started working with a band, made up of four musicians: Louise Johnston on piano, Paul McCann on double bass, Sam Geraghty on guitar and Paul 'Foxy' Cox on the drums.

It's great experience to play with a band. I'm used to playing piano and singing by myself on stage but this really adds a different dimension to my songs.

Áine Cahill

After performing at this year's Electric Picnic, Áine is going to focus on recording the rest of her new EP and a slew of gigs across the country can be expected from her next year.

She's excited to be opening the Oxjam Stage on Friday, September 4 at 3pm, she will also perform on Natasha's Living Food Emporium on the same day at 9:30pm, as well as on The Jerry Fish Electric Sideshow on Sunday, September 6.

Listen to the up-and-comer's newest song below and you'll see why it's a safe bet to expect great things from Áine Cahill.

Áine Cahill – 'Black Dahlia'

Main pic: Amy Clarke