You can forgive Kerri Watt's indulgence is the odd bit of California dreaming:

for her it is not fantasy but a wistful look back on some very happy times.

After spending a year in the surfing state as a teenager, the easy beach life has rubbed off on the young Scottish singer-songwriter and found its way into her music.

It comes through loud and clear in her debut EP, Who's Lovin' Me Now?, out on Monday. With acoustic guitar, punchy drums and impressive soulful vocals, it is a feel-good slice of California-inspired pop.

At the tender age of 16, Kerri left her family home in Milngavie to study at South Orange County School of the Arts in Dana Point, California and it was a life-changing experience, she remembers.

"I managed to get an audition for the school and a family sponsored me to stay with them. I somehow convinced my parents I should go. They always knew I was really ambitious and didn't want to stick around in Glasgow for long. Once I did the audition and actually got into the school they were proud of me for doing that and couldn't hold me back.

"It was a very intense training in music, drama and dance and that's where I really started to learn about lots of different musical styles that I hadn't really been aware of growing up in Glasgow.

"There are a lot of influences from my time there in my music that I write currently: that kind of cool, classic California driving-down-the-coast beach-pop sound.

"Being so close to LA and all the history of the music that went on in Sunset Strip in the 1970s and 1980s and experiences I had there ... it was an incredible experience.

"I made lots of friends, all Americans who now work in music or in film in LA and are really successful, including Joey Richter who was on the Disney Channel and had a part in Glee."

Rather than coming home to hone her talent, Kerri dived straight into three years of study at Laine Theatre Arts in Surrey, a school with notable alumni including Victoria Beckham and Ruthie Henshall, and she hasn't stopped working since.

She has appeared in pantomime with Veronica Mars star Steve Guttenberg, toured with Marti Pellow in musical theatre and supported Brian McFadden on a UK tour.

"Working with Steve was really cool because growing up I was the biggest Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen fan and they did a movie (It Takes Two) with him playing their dad," she laughs.

"Then I did the show and he played my dad years later. To work with a big Hollywood name so young just put stars in my eyes again and I thought, 'This is so awesome, this is so exciting.' He had so many stories.

"Every successful person I've met, whether they've come out of Glasgow or the States, has really made an impression on me and inspired me to work hard and try and achieve a wee bit more."

It was after supporting McFadden that she realised she needed to focus on writing her own songs and making her own music.

"Supporting Brian was the first time I got to play decent-sized venues. He had a huge following so there was an opportunity for me to pick up new fans and get exposure to a new audience I wouldn't have had access to before. Brian and his team were a lot of fun - it was one of the first experiences that made me feel, yes, I'm definitely doing the right thing."

The 24-year-old admits life has been a roller coaster since she started on her own but she is loving every minute. Kerri played Glastonbury this summer and has been back to LA to gig at legendary venues on Sunset Strip, including Whiskey a Go-Go.

"It's a longer process than I ever imagined - writing all the material, getting the right people involved to help you make it happen," she says.

"It's been just over two years since I started working on my solo stuff and I feel I'm finally ready to put it out there and for people to hear it."

She has signed a record deal with 25 Hour Convenience Store, the label run by The Libertines drummer Gary Powell, after a chance meeting in Ibiza with the head of Propaganda club nights, DJ Dan Ickowitz-Seidler. With Dan managing, Kerri was introduced to Powell, who happened to be re-launching his record label. After seeing Kerri perform, he offered her a deal on the spot.

With influences as varied as Fun, Train, Sheryl Crow and Katy Perry, to legends such as The Rolling Stones and Michael Jackson, Kerri says she takes inspiration from her heroes in terms of both song writing and performance.

"I just want to keep writing the kind of songs that connect with people," she says. "Performing live is my true passion so I want to be playing live shows that are an experience for the audience and will make everyone feel like they're part of something.

"I got the opportunity recently to work with some really great writers who have worked with Michael Jackson, Justin Timberlake and Britney Spears, all my absolute heroes growing up. It has all been a little bit surreal."

Kerri Watt's debut EP, Who's Lovin' Me Now?, is released on Monday. A live Glasgow date will be announced soon.