IT'S not likely Justin Townes Earle ever thought he'd be considered a model of consistency.
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But that is exactly what he's become as he continues to be a rising star on the Americana music scene.
Now 31, he's on his sixth tour of Australia at the moment, rolling into Newcastle for a nearly sold-out show at Lizotte's on February 13 (at $59 a head for a balcony seat).
"I'm not a pop star," he says. "I make a living in the US, which is very rare for someone from the Americana music side . . . I used to have to come to Australia to do good."
Earle has forged his own style, musically and personally, drawing a loyal following along the way.
Born in Nashville, he's always had an attachment to the southern lifestyle and music. But he's satisfied his urbane tastes and hunger for all things good with a move to New York City a few years ago. As a result, the blend of his past and present environs make him a rare breed musically.
His most recent album, Nothing's Gonna Change The Way You Feel About Me Now, has a strong Memphis background sound, replete with horns and bluesy rhythms. Yet his country-tinged lyrics stand out, like a well-dressed man in a whorehouse bar.
His previous offering in 2010, Harlem River Blues, was a beautiful package of country-blues, mostly about New York images.
Earle has a wide-range of friends and associates. He mourned the death of Levon Helm, renowned drummer from The Band, with who Earle had only recently become an acquaintance.
"It was devastating. I still think about him . . . he was very generous," Earle said.
In October, Earle orchestrated a couple of tribute shows to folk music pioneer Woody Guthrie. Now there's talk of Earle being given one of Guthrie's song notebooks.
"He had 3000 songs in the attic," Earle said. "None of them had music. It's something I'd be interested in. It would be a high responsibility."
Earle, who played his first show on this Australian tour to a sold-out house at the Corner Hotel in Melbourne, is once again playing solo on this run. But, as he has historically done, he's brought a tasty opener, Robert Ellis.
As for his musical menu, Earle will cover songs from his vast array of original material
The tour covers Bulli, Milton (NSW), The Basement and Annandale Hotel in Sydney, Lismore, Byron and Brisbane.
The Australian promoter, Brian Taranto, director of Love Police, gave him the choice of major-cities-only or a regional exploration.
"We were talking over in New York and he said, 'Do you want to do the typical Australian tour - major cities - or make a little bit of an investment?"
"I took the little places, too.
"Wherever the hippies dwell, the fringes dwell, that's going to be my spot," he said.
Earle has outrun his early reputation as a party animal with drug and drinking problems. One American writer even listed him on his top 10 of stars mostly like to die in 2011.
At 31, is he safe now?
Earle's answer, without hesitation: "I think I am. It's not cool to die in your 30s."