IF you've been following the career of English troubadour Newton Faulkner since he dropped that folk-pop ear worm Dream Catch Me, you're about to witness the end of an era.
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Back in March the 34-year-old released his greatest hits compilation The Very Best Of Newton Faulkner...So Far.
Greatest hits albums are often viewed cynically. Has the artist's commercial appeal waned and they're cashing in one last time? Have the creative juices began to sour?
Faulkner stresses that's not the case. Rather, after 12 years and six studio albums, including two British No.1s, the first phase of his career is complete.
In his eyes, the 2018 album Hit The Ground Running was the culmination of a folk-pop sound Faulkner had been honing since his beloved 2007 debut Hand Built By Robots.
"Hit The Ground Running was where everything came together and this feels right," Faulkner said from England.
"I thought when I did that and found my sound I'd be like, 'Cool I've found my sound and I'm going to sit in my sound for the next 40 years'.
"Instead I did the polar opposite. I was like 'Cool, tick, done that. What's next'?"
Where Faulkner is planning to take his music next is likely to surprise long-term fans.
Faulkner has constantly experimented with rhythmic guitar patterns, electronic beats and soulful melodies, but the folk singer-songwriter vibe has remained at his music's heart.
That could be about to change.
"The next wave of stuff that was coming through before the best of was mentioned did feel different," he said.
"It's a bit heavier for one. It's a different character and different style of songwriting.
"It's less singer-songwriter and sounds more like a band.
"It's a step away. It's obviously very early days and I've got four or five, not even finished, songs. Just ideas. There's one I think I'll play over there [in Australia]. I'm just trying to evolve."
Ever since Dream Catch Me peaked at No.5 on the ARIA charts and was the 17th most popular song of 2007, Australia has been a prime destination for Faulkner.
Next month Faulkner brings his best of tour to Newcastle for the third time in three years.
READ MORE: It's difficult to miss Newton Faulkner
The growth of music streaming has decimated the revenue streams of recording artists and upended the previous album-focused model.
Many artists have solely tailored their careers to releasing regular singles.
"It's completely maddening," Faulkner said. "I'm very much of the mindset that as many doors have closed, many doors have opened.
"Yes, everyone does make considerably less money, but maybe we made too much to begin with? Who knows.
"Also, with that change it's also led to an unbelievable amount of freedom. I could write a song when I get off the phone and I could have it on Spotify and anyone in the world could listen to it next week."
The digital disruption has also meant artists have become increasingly reliant on live performances to generate their income - something Faulkner is completely comfortable with.
The stage has always been his performed home in music.
"The live stuff is safe," he said. "You can't stream it, there's no point. You could wear a virtual head set and do the virtual gig thing, but it's never going to feel quite the same.
"You can go and see it in the cinema and it's close, but it's not quite the same as being there. There's actually something about live music, which I think won't ever change."
Faulkner is a real student of the live performance. It's an art form he's constantly learning and adapting.
At any show you can often spot Faulkner watching his support act from behind the curtain or at the back of the room, reading the audience for any signs or expectations.
After speaking to a comedian recently, Faulkner realised he regularly divides the audience into a grid to ensure the crowd remains engaged.
"You split the crowd into a grid and then you try and make sure every section of the grid is happy and gets what they want on a regular basis," he said.
"Throughout the gig you see these guys like talking, this pocket like the slow songs, these guys want me to talk total rubbish, these guys just want four to the floor, so I'll make sure there's enough of that.
"The front row are solid guitarists just staring at my fingers, so I'll sneak some guitar stuff in there. It's like a grid tick box system."
What you're unlikely to hear on his Australian tour are songs from Faulkner's new children's band My Moozik, which also features his sister Lottie, brother Toby, and friend Jimmy Sim.
Their album My Day! maps the average day in a child's life from waking up in the morning to bed time with songs like Where's My Other Sock?, C'mon It's Break Time and Playdate.
"One of the main triggers for me was I was making a cup of tea and listening to my son [Beau, 8] singing in the bath, 'Ooooh I want to touch your body'," he said. "I'm like, 'What! No it's not what you want to do. You want to play with Lego'.
"There's nothing for that whole five to 11 [age group]. Once you get to 11 and 12 you're kind of alright with everything else."
Newton Faulkner plays at the Cambridge Hotel on November 19.
Josh Leeson
Josh Leeson is an entertainment and features journalist, specialising in music, at the Newcastle Herald. He first joined the masthead in 2008 after stints at the Namoi Valley Independent and Port Stephens Examiner and has previously covered sport including the Asian Cup, A-League, Surfest, cricket and rugby league.
Josh Leeson is an entertainment and features journalist, specialising in music, at the Newcastle Herald. He first joined the masthead in 2008 after stints at the Namoi Valley Independent and Port Stephens Examiner and has previously covered sport including the Asian Cup, A-League, Surfest, cricket and rugby league.
