A teenage singer-song-writer hoping to emulate his heroes Ed Sheeran and Ben Howard will hold a series of free concerts ahead of the launch of his first EP.

Harry Houseago first grabbed national attention as a 13-year-old when his song Ode to Tamiflu during the swine flu scare became a YouTube sensation.

Since then Houseago, now 16, has taken third place in the 2009 Live & Unsigned and is preparing to play a string of coffee shops across Surrey and the South East before heading out across the UK.

His EP, The Bicycle That Can Fly is a combination of original tracks and covers, including Feeder’s 2001 hit Just A Day converted from a pumped up rock track to a simple ballad.

The Tulse Hill teen says: “I like hearing a good song performed in a different way. I also covered the classic Put A Little Love In Your Heart – I love that song.”

Music was in Houseago’s genes as he picked up the guitar at three, was in a recording studio at six and doing open mic nights at 10.

He says: “I believe that music should first and foremost be entertaining, but it’s also one of the most direct forms of emotional connection – ears are the first external organs that develop in the womb.

Harry Houseago will be at Caffe Nero Sutton, on July 25 at 4pm, East Croydon Caffe Nero on July 28 at noon and West Wickham Caffe Nero on July 28 at 2pm.