FAIRHOPE, Ala. — At 18, Nick Gill is way ahead of the curve in the music business. The singer/songwriter recently released his third CD, a self-titled EP available in local stores and online. He also has a game plan for life after high school, and if he has his way, his muse would tag along for the ride.

The Bayside Academy senior’s music has received radio airplay, and he has been featured on television and in newspaper and magazine articles. All he needs now is for the nation to take notice.

Although now technically an adult, Gill’s current collection hints of teen angst, a factor that has proven successful for many songwriters over the last several decades.

One cut from his latest effort — “That’s Life” — tells of Gill’s unhappiness with convention, and touches on his failure (so far) to capture a certain young lady’s heart.

“I haven’t been a big fan of high school during my four years,” he said. “And I don’t want a cubicle after college. This pretty much covers all the bases of high school. I was never able to get the girl, and now it’s too late.”

The unrequited love rings through when Gill sings, “One more time I’ll try for you, and our love won’t reign, it won’t reign.” Jack Craft playing the lonely cello drives home the point that Gill “could’ve had that life.”

Love is also explored in “Breaking the Heart In.” Gill said, “It’s more of me learning how to love. How am I going to get her? (And he tells her) If you need me, I’ll be there.”

The suicide of a classmate resonates in “How It Feels (To Lose a Friend),” It’s another of the five tracks recorded in Fudge Recording Studio in New Orleans (Better Than Ezra’s private studio), and the cello and violin also set the mood in this cut, while Gill supplies piano, acoustic guitar and vocals.

“I fall without moving, try to find another way, to tell myself they’re lying, it's all only a play. Now all I need, all I need in my life, is to know why. Know why.”

Gill was performing at the Blue Gill on Dec. 8, 2008 when he learned a close friend was dead. “It was a shock,” he said. “He was the most comedic, fun-loving guy to be around. We had a talk a couple of weeks before about how I’d never had a girlfriend in all of high school and how I’m going to get her.”

But aren’t musicians automatically chick magnets?

Gill said, “She loves my music, but every time I get around her, I freeze up. I can talk to any other woman. Something about her intimidates me, but inspires me.”

With a style reminiscent of a hipper James Taylor, Gill doesn’t hesitate in the least when it comes to the creative process.

“I knew the moment after I made my 2008 album (“Through the Straight and Narrow”), I wanted to make an EP,” he said.

Following a 50-show tour that began in February, Gill met Peek drummer John Hamilton, who helped him rework and record revised versions of his 2006 debut album “‘Cause It’s True Love.” He followed that up in August by beginning work on the new EP, which utilized the talents of producers Jack Miele (The Molly Ringwalds) and Jacques Delatour.

“It fell together beautifully in a giant chain,” Gill said. “Every connection I made has led to another, and that’s great.”

There’s a good chance Gill will make many connections in Nashville, where he will move after graduation. He said he plans to attend either Belmont University there or a community college nearby, while getting his foot in the door musically. Although the city is known primarily as the world’s country music capitol, other styles flourish there.

Gill hopes to soon sign with a record label, but notes he must sell 5,000 CDs to reach that plateau and be fully financed.

“I would consider ‘American Idol’ as a last resort,” he said. “But, I love the feeling of trying to accomplish something (more). I know what I’ve got to do, and I’ve got to go all out. I’ve got to start a small fire.”

Gill has already lit flames by performing live across the region, from Baton Rouge to Tallahassee, from Mobile to Auburn. He said he actually has trouble writing songs on the road, but when home the songs “come out in a matter of an hour-and-a-half.”

“How It Feels (To Lose a Friend)” was revised in English class, and Gill admits he has written other songs during the same class.

Asked if the tone of his music will change if he does get the girl, he said, “I think I’m better at writing about what I don’t have than what I have. Even if that happens, I’ll still move to Nashville. Music is my No. 1 love, and I’m absorbed in it.”

The new Nick Gill album is available for an online download at iTunes, Amazon.com and Rhapsody. The CD can be purchased online at CD Baby, or locally at Dr. Music, Picker’s Paradise, Jubilee Music and Laura Vendetti Hair.

For more information, visit www.nickgillmusic.com, or www.myspace.com/nickgillmusic.