But that's the situation Newcastle indie-folk singer-songwriter Nick Saxon found himself in three months ago while visiting Kyoto.

"There were three or four people hiding under this bridge and we went under there and started playing and all these tourists and people passing by - mostly Japanese, and some Chinese and Russians - started coming down to seek shelter under the bridge and they heard the music and the next minute there was 50 to 60 people huddling under this bridge during a typhoon," Saxon said.

"It was bizarre and such a cool moment. This is what music's about, bringing people together."

It's moments like this that have reinforced Saxon's love of music. A year ago the National Geographic presenter admits he was struggling to find the creative inspiration to continue.

After 14 years of performing and releasing music like his album Broken On Her Ocean (2013) and EP Lady Wanderlust (2016) Saxon had reached a "black spot" in 2018 and even contemplated "packing it in."

The negative thoughts were so consuming he struggled sleeping.

"I had envisioned big things, as you do, when when you're younger and had set goals for myself," he said.

"Sometimes when you don't hit those goals you can be really difficult with judging yourself and going, 'What are you doing? Are you doing something wrong? Is what you're doing not that good'?"

Through the support of loved ones, particularly partner Shino Timmermans, Saxon rediscovered his spark.

First came the single These Bloodshot Eyes, released late last year, which helped Saxon to exorcise his self-doubts.

Then with the darkness lifted, Saxon released his latest single Paradise in September as a tribute to Timmermans. Paradise is a shiny surf-folk track, driven by Saxon's warmth vocal harmonies.

"I've always written how I felt and sticking to the truth is how I write songs," Saxon said.

"I didn't want to be heavy with the release [These Bloodshot Eyes] before, but it's quite a daunting track and just wanted to release what's true and in my heart.

"Paradise, I'm stoked to say, is a reflection of how I feel and the space I'm in. It's thanks to my friends and family, and in particular my partner, for encouraging me to get back out there and do what I've always loved doing."

Saxon performed his first gig at an open mic night in London in 2004 and has since become a polished solo artist and he was also the drummer in defunct Newcastle roots band Benjalu. Former Benjalu frontman Ben Gumbleton now fronts electro-soul duo Boo Seeka.

To celebrate the release of Paradise, Saxon has included the track and These Bloodshot Eyes on a special extended version of his EP Lady Wanderlust.

Saxon also plans to return to the studio over the summer to record another three tracks he has recently written for release in early 2020.

Nick Saxon completes his Paradise single tour at 48 Watt Street on Friday.