TWO years ago Reece Baker and his pal Stuart Mount picked up guitars and decided they were going to learn how to play.

Fast forward to 2011 and they’re heading up Basildon band Raquels – and going from strength to strength.

They may have started from scratch in the humble confines of Reece’s bedroom, but the four-piece have had a top year guesting at Gavin and Stacey star Mat Horne’s club night alongside the Macabees, picking up a manager on the way and even arousing interest at top label Virgin.

Named after Basildon’s well-known nightclub, the band impressed some big names at Mat Horne’s gig at the Queen of Hoxton, in Shoreditch. “We played in front of quite a lot of people,” explains frontman Reece, 18.

“We enjoyed it. Someone from Virgin Records said he was shocked at how good we were, so he’s passing us on to the top man from Virgin or something like that – and we got a manager out of it as well.

“He said to us our name was being passed around the crowd of people in the music game in London and that promoters are interested in us. Then we played and he said he’d be interested in managing us.”

The management, Bandangos, are throwing a gig this month featuring Raquels, who join fellow-Essex boys Redtrack, from Southend, on the bill as well as London-based the Carolines, who’ve seen chart success this year with their latest single, I Want You, charting at number eight.

“We’re pretty excited,” says Reece. “Any gigs are just more excitement. We don’t really get nervous any more. “We’ll be playing a couple of new tunes. We’ve been working on new stuff.”

Raquels began with Reece singing and playing guitar and Stuart on bass, but it wasn’t long before they recruited Reece’s college friend, guitarist James Gonsalves, and tracked down drummer Harry Barber through the internet to complete the lineup.

Reece says the recent recognition has been a dream come true for the band. He adds: “I love it, it’s my life really. I don’t want to do anything else. Just going out and playing gigs with your mates, there’s nothing better The most rewarding thing is to write a song and have people genuinely appreciate it.”

To listen to Raquels, visit their Myspace at www.myspace.com/ raquelsofficial l Raquels play with Redtrack and the Carolines at the Silver Bullet, Finsbury Park, London, on Friday, January 28.