He is now one of Australia’s most respected and successful musicians, whose songs have taken him around the world but it wasn’t always like that.

“Nothing really happened for me in terms of my music until I was around 26,” Pyke said.

“That’s a long time but I learnt a lot about self-control and getting the right support behind me.”

Known for his ability to weave intelligent lyrics with warm melodies and quirky song structures, Pyke is a modern-day storyteller whose unique and evocative use of both words and music places him in a league of his own.

He will be finishing up his 2016 tour with a show at the Milton Theatre on Saturday, August 13.

“If you’re an Australian musician you need to get out on tour. It’s the best way to engage with my fan base,” he said of his decision to tour regional areas as well as the big city venues.

Josh approached his fifth studio album, But For All These Shrinking Hearts, with unbridled creative freedom, and the results have been truly magical.

The release debuted at number 2 on the ARIA chart and number 1 on the Australian charts, making it his highest debut placement and fifth top-10 release in a row.

His breakthrough single, Middle of the Hill, appeared on his debut release, a mini album entitled Feeding The Wolves.

Josh followed up Feeding The Wolves with the 2007 release of his debut album Memories & Dust, which hit the ARIA chart at number 4. The Gold record, hailed as “world-class” by The Age, was acclaimed by critics and fans alike. It took out three ARIA Awards.

His second album Chimney’s Afire debuted at number 3 on the ARIA chart, won an ARIA Award and achieved Gold sales, which was followed by the 2011 release of Josh’s third album, Only Sparrows.

Josh’s fourth studio album The Beginning And The End Of Everything explored ideas of desire, death and legacy.

Regarded as his most personal release to date it features the singles Leeward Side and Warm in Winter and debuted at number 7 on the ARIA albums chart.

One of the major events in his long musical career was winning an APRA grant when he was just starting out and he now runs a mentorship program for emerging musicians.

“It’s my way of giving back,” he said.

“The music industry has changed. It’s harder then ever to be a full-time musician, even though it’s now easier then ever to get your music online. 

“When I was starting out I didn’t know anyone. There were no songwriters I could approach to ask for help or guidance. I won a grant for $2,500 and bought my first recording gear which set me on my path,” he said.

“I know the sort of impact that getting a bit of help when you’re starting out can make,” he added.

Pyke joined a band at age 12 and “was just doing that from then on”.

“After high school and uni everyone else just dropped off but I kept going solo,” he said.

If there was one song he would name as his favourite it would be New Slang by The Shins.

“It’s melodic and has great lyrics that mean something but are still quite open to interpretation. It’s been one of my favourites for 15 years. But really any music that elicits a proper emotional response, that does it for me,” he said.

He enjoys working both collaboratively as well as solo.

“If I spend too much time in the studio I end up feeling a bit caged in. I’ve just finished doing a co-writing session and working with some other musicians on a project to release a kids album at some stage but then I also withdraw and do some of my own things,” he said.

He has planned to take time out of his busy schedule to spend a few days on the South Coast at the tail end of his tour.

“It’s such a beautiful area and I’m looking forward to exploring it,” he said.

Tickets for the August 13 show are $44 and available now from the Milton Theatre website or from Country Leather on 4455 3056.