IN THE NEW HOT PRESS: James Bay talks his ascent to fame

James Bay doesn't want to be pigeon-holed as just another pretty-boy strummer. For the 24-year-old singer-songwriter from Hertfordshire, the focus has to be on the music, and that's abundantly clear in his discussion with Hot Press.

"What people say doesn't concern me," Bay shrugs. "It's great that we're talking - you're interested in the music. The rest isn't of any relevance. I've a lot to get on with, make sure my stuff is good. I don't want to be distracted."

Bay reflected on some highs of his cornerstone year, which included a tour supporting Hozier where he became the headliner for a few dates in Atlanta and Dallas.

"He'd been at it for a year," Bay says of Wicklow native Hozier. "He was pretty [exhausted] and had to pull out at the last minute. The promoters came to me and said 'the stage is yours, if you want it.'"

Bay, of course, did want it, and stepping up paid off. "That was mad: here I was in the middle of America and all these people expecting to see Hozier came along. It was crazy. You don't forget occasions such as that."

Another highlight? Meeting none other than current pop queen Taylor Swift backstage at another gig with Hozier.

"Of course I was - it was totally surreal. She's one of the most successful people in pop, right at the top of the ladder. Whether you like her music or not, you have to recognize her success. The crazy thing was she had been listening to my music. That was cool and mind blowing. You never expect to be in that situation."

Pick up the newest issue of Hot Press, hitting newsstands Thursday, to see more on Bay in our feature!