JUNE 12, BATH: Adem Ilhan may be a whiz with figures, but it's music that makes him tick.

Adem, 26, is performing at the Pavilion, in Bath, tomorrow night.

Adem's band also called Adem which is supporting The Divine Comedy, has just released a single These Are Your Friends hot on the heels of their album, Homesongs.

Despite being quite academic, music has always been Adem's true passion.

He said: "I did my A-levels and went to university. But music is my life. As a toddler I was already composing nursery rhymes."

So Adem eats, drinks and sleeps music. Brought up in South West London, his father Sadi is a concert pianist and started teaching him to play ever since he can remember.

Aged 12, he joined his first band, called Rail Dirt, and played the guitar.

Branching out, he went on to launch his own instrumental group, Fridge. Which he also still plays in. He said: "We're onto our fifth album now."

Adem was only 17 when he was offered a record deal. But his musical activities didn't stop him going to Warwick University to study maths.

Two years into the course, a bigger record deal was put on the table and Adem decided to take it.

At the time the other members, Mark, Cameron Miller and Joe Goddard were students at Manchester University.

Adem said: "We all left and have no regrets. If I finished my degree, I wouldn't have used it."

Despite being a well-practised performer, he still gets nervous before going on stage.

He said: "I pace about and get excited. But I think that's how it should be, so you give your best. Sharing your music is an amazing experience."

Although music dominates his life, Adem still squeezes in time for his girlfriend, Emma, 23.

Emma is a stylist but occasionally takes a break to give the band a hand.

Adem said: "She is really supportive and has been driving us about for the past few days. We have been touring all over Glasgow, Manchester, Sheffield."

As for future plans, he is already working on the next album and busy with an improvisation project.

He said: "I love being busy. Music takes over my life but it's wonderful."

Tickets cost £16. For bookings call: 01225 486976.

Adem are also headlining at the Wheatsheaf pub, in Oxford, on June 23. Admission costs £4. Call 01865 721156.

VICTORIA TAGG