WITH more than 100,000 albums sold, hefty chunks of critical acclaim and years of high profile touring, guitar ace Aynsley Lister’s resume speaks for itself and firmly secures his position as a major player in the resurgence of British blues-infused music.

Whether passionately writing and recording his own material or mesmerising audiences at his live shows one thing is for sure - his relentless dedication in his formative years spending hours copying his favourite records note for note has paid dividends.

The distinctive sounds and terrific techniques of guitar greats such as Peter Green, Albert King, Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, and Free's Paul Kossoff all played their part in influencing the rising young star.

Without doubt an incredible guitarist, his eight studio album Eyes Wide Open has just been released, a bold and brilliant slice of contemporary blues, rock, pop with even a smattering of soul.

The 39-year-old guitarist says that this raw, energetic album is a return to his roots; a record that at its heart boasts all the grit of traditional blues.

“When I started out there’s no possible way I could have written this album,” recalls Aynsley who plays Kendal Bootleggers, on Thursday, December 8. “But in a similar way the albums I wrote then, which are so very different, I couldn’t write now. "

“It’s like any creative process, the more you do it, the better at it you get and the more you understand it.

“You change and you get more sophisticated the more you do. There’s a certain naivety when you’re setting out, you don’t know any different so you just go with your instincts.

“Looking back the first couple of albums were very guitar led because that was, at the time, my strongest thing as I’d not been writing or singing for very long.

“Whereas now I’m much more rounded in terms of being a singer and songwriter so things are on a more even keel.”

Aynsley has grown to become one of the leading figures on the British blues scene having won multiple British Blues Awards over the past few years, including being voted Songwriter of the Year in 2013 and Guitarist of the Year in 2015.

Now Eyes Wide Open looks set to open up a whole new fanbase with songs in a variety of styles which demonstrate his growing maturity and confidence as a songwriter.

“For me if you have an album of 10 or 12 songs each song should have its own thing,” he explains.

“Although I’m primarily blues guitarist, as a songwriter I listen to wide variety of music so there’s a whole mixture of stuff on there.

“From a lyrical point of view it’s me looking out at the big wide world and seeing what’s around and considering people going through different situations. There is so much to write about it’s good fun to pick out different things and themes.

“I’m really pleased with the way the album has come out. When I’m putting ideas together I want to try and take the listener on bit of a journey and that keeps your interest.

“My aim is always to create the kind of album that would I would want to listen to.

“When I listen to an album I want one that keeps my interest all the way through. I don’t want to get to track four and think well I’ve pretty much heard everything.”

One thing fans will appreciate is that Aynsley’s guitar playing features prominently on the album.

“On the last couple of studio albums I got heavier into the lyrical side of things,” he continues.

“They were not ‘singer songwritery’ albums but although the guitar was there it was there to complement the songs.

“For this album I wanted the guitar to feature more prominently, make it more central to things.”

“I wanted to have good songs, with good content and imagery and moods but I knew I was definitely going to have ripping guitar as well. So I suppose the new album has a bit of everything.”

Tickets for Aynsley Lister's Bootleggers gig on December 8 are available on 01539-723824 or at contact@bootleggersbar.com.

Bootleggers is on Finkle Street, Kendal.