Raised in Yass Valley before moving to Melbourne, Riley Catherall returns to the capital with his East Coast tour which stops at The Front, Lyneham, on Friday 14 October. CW chatted to Riley as he drove to chat labels, music, and his dog, Mia.

You’ve released a new single Bark at the Moon. How did it come about?

It’s the first song I have written in quite a while. The debut record was released around this time last year. I feel as an independent musician you have to put on different hats; it’s not just about songwriting, it’s about self-promotion, which I despise.

I wasn’t doing a lot of songwriting, then one afternoon I wrote it in around an hour and demoed it in an hour. The rough demo I made in my home studio ended up being the radio-ready version. I hadn’t written in a while; it felt like the right thing to do.

You’re listed as an Americana artist. What does that mean and who are you inspired by?

The Americana thing is funny; it’s a label that people put on those that are not quite country, not quite folk.

I am influenced by Neil Young, James Taylor, that sort of era of ‘70s story songs. Even the Eagles and Carole King kind of stuff with an alt country twist. It’s a weird label to have as a musician in Australia.

Do you have a favourite song to perform?

I wrote a song called The Ferryman. I feel as though I spent three months touring overseas this year and it didn’t matter how long the set was, that was the one I always chose. It allowed me to play all my cards in one song.

What’s next for you?

I am moving house in two weeks. Between my tour and touring overseas, I haven’t been at home much. I am looking forward to sitting down and setting up a creative space so I can start working towards putting a new album together.

Anything on the to do list while you’re here in Canberra?

I feel like every time I’m in Canberra, it is always just the six or 12 hours that I am passing through.

I will get there and hang out with Mum and Dad, take my dog for a walk. It’s nice, almost like a coming home scenario, even if it is just a little while. Getting to revisit the place where I spent the first 20 or so years of my life.

I got Mia in 2014 and then moved to Melbourne the next year, I thought she deserved to stay on the farm and have the sace to run and play. It wouldn’t be as kind for her here in Melbourne.

I spent every waking minute with her when I was at home.

Hear Riley Catherall perform at The Front, Friday 14 October 6pm; events.humanitix.com

Get all the latest Canberra news, sport, entertainment, lifestyle, competitions and more delivered straight to your inbox with the Canberra Daily Daily Newsletter. Sign up here.