Lifting folk to rhythmic, existential heights, Victorian troubadour Lloyd Bosch is bringing his own unique brand of finger-picking goodness to listeners with the release of his debut EP and tours across the vast countryside this summer. Among a far-reaching discussion of the current folk revivalist movement, Jennifer Peterson-Ward discovered Bosch’s influences, inspirations and his vision for his very first musical foray , Lloyd Bosch and Woodcutter - a thoroughly folk affair brimming with rustic strumming, harmony-rich vocals, and ethereal choral arrangements. There’s even a poem thrown in for good measure - Magic!

Firstly, for readers unfamiliar with your music - how would you describe your sound?

Its acoustic choral music with a heavy focus on lyrics. Music that thinks about words lots.

Tell us a little about your recently released self-titled EP - what was your the vision? Is there a particular theme or message encapsulated on the record?

The EP started off as an accident as with many things in my life - I was in New Zealand busy getting married and in between all of that stuff, went to go play with two old friends at their studio (Gareth Van Niekerk - drums, Jonathan Burgess - bass). We recorded it and it sounded exciting. Upon returning to Melbourne I couldn't help putting the girls (Vanessa Anderson, Bronwyn Layla, Lucy Moon, Celia Tankey) on there at my home studio as well as lap slide player, Denis Phelan.

The more recording that went on, the more of a vision that became. The EP was in a state of becoming which I've read to be pretty important if you're a philosopher or something.

The songs fit nicely with one another and I guess a common theme is simple fantasy. Its about going to work and wondering what it would be like to be in the forest with a beautiful woman and fires burning and horses. There's a dichotomy between the horror of everyday life and the wisdom of imagination. The EP has songs about both.

Your Myspace bio says there is a "strongly autobiographical element" to your music - would you say your personal experiences have been the biggest influence on the crafting of your lyrics?

Yes. Either I'm writing about the personal experience or I'm writing about something that I'd much rather be doing. Whether I'm writing the experience itself or not, it is either driving me to write about the moment or how I'd escape it.

What other influences (musical or otherwise) motivated your work on the new record?

I'd like to go on a big spiel about some amazing book I'm reading or something triumphant in the family life but I'm not sure what motivated the work. I just wanted to get it done.  There's something dreadful and beautiful and annoying in my brain and it makes me stay in this little room at the back of the house.

Who would you consider to be your ultimate top 5 folk inspirations?

Jesus Rodriguez, Billy Bragg, Joanna Newsom, Joni Mitchell and Neil Young.

The folk genre seems to be undergoing a massive revivalist phase at present (with young artists like Mumford & Sons, Edward Sharpe and Laura Marling leading the way), as an artist creating music in this genre do you find the current popularity of the style encouraging? Are you hoping to reach similar fans with your music?

I didn't know about this folk phase but it sounds like it is a good thing and if more people could like my music that would be great.

Go on you young revivalists, have a listen!

What can punters expect from one of your live performances?

You can expect mad rantings between the songs that make no sense and epic choral backing and the songs I've written and my beautiful wife singing.

Drummer Scott Symes and lapslide guitarist, Denis Phelan are brothers in arms and we are husband and wife.

We all play together and its highly ethereal!

What are your plans for the next 6-12 months?

Hopefully play at some festivals next year and do some more recordings. This time maybe practice getting together a vision. I'm thinking about going for a very intimate sound with loads of live singers and lots of percussion. Send the singers my way!

Do you have a short poem that you’d like to share with the readers?

I will do everything in my power

To have your garden flower.

And what of your hips?

I will water them too.

Until somebody else grows inside you.