AUSTRALIAN based musician Jeff Lang is doing a gig in Somerset.

He will be at Nether Stowey Village Hall, near Bridgwater on Monday, July 30.

Over the course of 16 studio albums, Jeff has blended rock, roots, folk, blues, ballads and instrumentals.

Ahead of the gig Entertainment Reporter, Lawrence John sent Jeff some email questions. Here is the Q&A

Q: When was the first time you remember hearing music?

A: My earliest memory of music is being on interstate car trips and hearing ‘Positively Fourth Street’ by Bob Dylan on the car cassette deck. “You’ve got a lotta nerrrve...”, that snarling voice with the organ swirling around it.

Q: What does music mean to you?

A: It means that I can communicate with, and likewise be reached by others, in a language deeper than words.

Q: Has being a musician changed your perception of the world?

A: It’s given me the catalyst for travelling the globe and experiencing so much that was beyond the sphere of what was available in the hometown of my youth. It’s broadened my mind beyond what I could express.

Q: Many artists such as painters, writers, musicians and poets talk about the muse appearing when they get inspiration. What is it like for you when the muse appears?

A: It’s almost like being tapped on the shoulder with notice of “incoming message”. When it happens and the stuff is flowing it’s pretty wonderful, albeit only occasional and fleeting.

Q: Is writing and creating songs cathartic – a way of releasing your energy in a creative process?

A: It can be, though mostly it’s some kind of mixture of excitement and work.

Q: How much of maybe how little does coming from Australia influence your song writing?

A: Hard to say. There definitely are people who’ve influenced me that I may not have heard if I was from elsewhere, so that factors in.

Q: I read you have described your musical style as self-described "disturbed folk" -What does this mean in terms of the music you create?

A: Someone at a gig said that to me once about my music and it made me laugh so I kept using it. What I play IS folk music, but not necessarily your parents folk music, it’s kinda what it means to me.

Q: Which song written by you is the one which is the most personal? What is the reason it is connected to you in such a string way?

A: I’m not generally predisposed towards autobiographical songwriting. All of my songs can have strong personal resonance for me, different ones on different nights will rise up in that way I’ve found.

Q: Which song by another artist has made you cry?

A: ‘The Woods Of Darney’ by Richard Thompson.

Q: Tell me about Geelong and what it means to you and what it gave you as a musician?

A: Geelong’s an industrial town, the oil refinery and the car factory were the two main forces. There was a healthy music scene there when I was a lad. I’m not sure exactly what I obtained from the place as a musician to be honest. Like a lot of people do when they grow up somewhere I wanted to escape and experience life elsewhere.

Q: What is the feeling you get from being on stage in front of an audience?

A: It’s a visceral type of communication and when it’s a good night it’s pretty great feeling, everyone going on a journey in our minds.

Q: What do you hope you and the audience will get from your tour in the UK?

A: I hope we all experience something transcendent. Can’t be guaranteed, but I’m always hopeful and ready.

Q: Is this your first visit to Somerset or have you been before?

A: I’ve been briefly once before.

Q; If you have been before What memories do you have of Somerset

A: Beautiful countryside and charming locals.