Justin Townes Earle leaves his troubles behind

The Nashville-based alt country singer/songwriter has always been frank in giving his opinions, littering Twitter about everything from getting a good smoke (Ok England! Your reefer is one of three things. Hard too find, over priced or shit!!!!!!!!) to fashion (If you had been alive in the 80's and early 90's you would know how stupid leather pants and leather mini skirts look lady's) to social justice (Every city across America is making it impossible for poor people to live).

He's not that different on stage, often giving a biting explanation or two about the state of country music or the state of politics.

In interviews over the years, he's prone to given tasty quotes, even if they don't bear fruit. Four years ago after breaking up with a girlfriend, he said he was moving to Europe for a year. That didn't eventuate. But he did leave New York City and move back to Nashville, his home town.

Now, at 33, he's considering a move west, part of his settling down process now that he's married.

"I've already lost it with Nashville," he says. "It's changed. It's not my home any more."

While acknowledging there are many great musicians there, he says "the younger scene has become so precious - it's not something I want to be part of these days".

Wife Jenn Marie, who is accompanying Justin on the Australian tour, is from Utah.

"My wife and I will be moving, probably west, to not live in a red [Republican] state," he says. "We want to see another part of life, probably the Pacific Northwest. Set up shop there. We definitely want to find the place where we want to be, to raise children - but we're not going to discuss them until we're 35."

It's hard to say whether the change in scenery will have an effect on Earle's prolific songwriting. While it would appear there is a southern veneer to his songs, that is probably a matter of perception rather than reality. Arguably his best album, Harlem River Blues, was influenced by his time living in New York City.

And, as he readily admits, he's always been a traveller.

"I've kind of been moving since I was 15, since I started to do this seriously," he says. "It's the thing I know best. At 33 I'm trying to learn to be a good husband, to be a solid person. That's a new world."

Australia has always been part of that wanderlust, certainly in a professional sense. He's embarking on his eighth tour of the country this month, which includes Byron Bay's Bluesfest this weekend and Newcastle two weeks from now. And you would be right if you think he's got an opinion about this land.

"The audiences are very similar to American crowds. Because I understand Texans, I understand Australians," he says.

" 'Nothing's better than Australia.' You like to stay out, you work so you can play."

Somehow, our ability to judge a performer in isolation means any attraction we have is genuine, not because it's the done thing to do. Earle's independent style of finger-picking acoustic guitar and poignantly personal lyrics draws a crowd here that keeps coming back.

He doesn't call it country, or Americana; he's never tried to fit a particular hole. He does it his way.

"My fans are pretty metropolitan," he says.

"I've always tried to approach my music from a feel kind of side - what we feel and how life runs in general. Times are not always good. I try to feel the motion of life but not get emotional."

Earle is touring on the back of two albums he's produced in the past year - Single Mothers last year and Absent Fathers early this year. Both reflect his country-flecked blues roots, with a modern twist. Expect the unexpected.