While he may be renowned in the country music scene, Luke O'Shea has found his music does not just sit within that genre.
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"I call myself an Australian storyteller, using a contemporary twist for melodies and chord structures," he said.
The nine-time Golden Guitar-winning singer-songwriter has begun to journey into the world of folk festivals, and is scheduled to perform at the upcoming festival in Cobargo.
"I'm really enjoying finding this new family. Both of us have been looking at each other saying 'where have you been? No, where have you been?'" he laughed.
The first time he thought he might fit into the world was a few years ago, when Australian music legend John Williamson told him he was more folk than country.
"He said to me 'you're telling the stories, but people embrace you in the country'," O'Shea said.
"Since then I've expanded to a few different folk festivals and I found people have the same love for lyrics in folk as they do in country.
"It's all about the stories you can paint in your mind."
Another element of folk that resonates with him is its role in activism, as several years ago O'Shea made headlines around the country when he was arrested alongside his father while demonstrating against the controversial Whitehaven coal mine at Maules Creek.
It is an issue he is still passionate about.
"There's everyday Australians that surround these lawless megamines that are being pushed away," he said.
"It's un-Australian to not go running to their defence."
He said there was another six proposed mines waiting to go into the region.
"It's 300litres of water plus to wash one tonne of coal. When they're tearing out 10-14million tonnes of coal per year, it's not hard for the average Joe to figure it out," he said.
While he said he knows his role was an entertainer, he said as an artist he was trying to express what was inside him.
His other job as a school teacher was very similar to being a songwriter, he said, as they were both about taking a complex concept and making it into something that could be understood simply.
This was something that was very challenging and rewarding, especially if he could find a way to express his point of view in a way that did not ram the issue down people's throats but would get them to think about the issue and maybe inspire them to take action.
"Your voice is a powerful thing," he said.
"If we can unify many voices into one song that will hopefully lead to change."
O'Shea was excited to get on the stage at Cobargo Folk Festival, where he will be performing by himself, and also to meet the other performers as some - such as Shane Howard and Sharon Shannon - were some of his favourite musicians.
The Cobargo Folk Festival is on March 1-3 at the Cobargo Showground. For more information visit its website.