A RISING city singer/songwriter will be swapping the Three Pears for the Big Apple after landing a prestigious gig in New York.

Multi-instrumentalist Poppy Waterman-Smith, better known as Poppy WS, secured the gig after being spotted performing online by Billy Joel’s bassist, Larry Russell.

Now she is set to perform at New York's oldest rock club, The Bitter End in Greenwich Village, which has hosted such luminaries as Bob Dylan, Neil Diamond and Stevie Wonder.

Poppy said she was surprised when the bassist contacted her.

She said: “He saw a video of me performing online and told me he liked my music. I jokingly asked if he had any gigs for me and he said he would set something up. Next thing you know, I have a gig lined up in February in New York. I booked my flight straight away.

“I will be practicing hard until then as it will be a big night for me. I don’t really feel nervous yet, the feelings usually sink in right before I perform.”

Poppy, aged 25, of Sidbury, first hit the headlines when she was spotted busking in Manchester by pop star Seal in July, 2016 and asked to open his concert that night at Bridgewater Hall.

Since then she has gone from strength to strength, releasing an album and gaining fans worldwide.

She said: “I wasn’t supposed to be busking that day as the weather wasn’t very nice. I almost didn’t go - I am glad I did now. I had no idea what was happening when Seal approached me.

One minute I was busking and the next I was performing at Seal’s gig. It was so surreal. There was a big crowd, around 4,000 in the audience. I was so nervous.

“I had just started performing at the time, so to be approached like that it was mad. That day has brought me so many opportunities and opened doors. It has allowed me to reach out and make contacts in the industry.”

Poppy's rapid rise is more staggering considering she only started singing and playing the guitar four years ago after studying Music Production at Leeds Metropolitan University.

She has since learnt to play the piano, electric guitar, harmonica and ’bits here and there’.

With a range of influences, her music resembles a variety of styles, from reggae, soul and jazz.

Poppy used to work long hours in a bar in Manchester, as well as busking, until she quit her job and became a full-time busker.

Back on home ground, she plays regularly at Marr's Bar in Pierpoint Street, and has also gigged at Bottles Wine Bar, the Oil Basin Brew House and Bolero Bar, in Worcester.

Poppy has continued to busk and recorded and produced her own album.

In February 2017, she released her first album ‘Poppy WS Acoustic’ and sold out copies within the first month of release.

Poppy said: “People had seen my video with Seal, so I had already gained a fanbase and followers.

“It’s mad how people around the world are listening to me. The fact they are in their cars and have my CD playing. It is incredible.”

Poppy is planning on bringing out a new album, however she is still in the process of thinking about original ideas.

She added: “I have had time to learn about the industry and become resilient. I absolutely love music and performing, it is very rewarding. In the future I want to take every opportunity and see where it takes me.”

She is also hoping to visit Zimbabwe, this year to work with a foundation which is running a project to raise funds for disabled musicians.

But for now, she has her sights firmly set on New York.

The gig will take place on Sunday, February 10 at 8pm.