Hammer, the first single from his forthcoming tenth studio record, is already on the airwaves but there’s still plenty to do before the album finds its way into the public. 

The much-loved Melbourne musician says his new album will mark a return to the acoustic blues roots which were a trademark of his earlier work. 

“I’m planning on making it sound really old, that’s the plan,” Grunwald said.

“I have a goal in mind (when I go into the studio) but I never know whether I’m going to get to that goal and I’m not too fussed about that - the real goal is something good.

“I go in with a manifesto - ‘this album is going to be like this’ but often it takes a little turn and often that’s really cool when it does so I’m not too fussed really, I’m just excited to be back in the studio.” 

He also expects album ten will be a stripped-back affair. 

“I think empty and minimal is a good vibe and everything I’ve done over the last 10 years has been very full with stuff, so I think something a little bit more empty and sparse would be cool. 

“If you can do music that sounds like it was written a long time ago but it was written in 2017 and it’s relevant to now still, that’s a good way to roll.”

One of the tracks shortlisted for the album is “loosely based” on this year’s Queensland floods, which affected regions as far south as northern New South Wales. 

Grunwald said chronicling important life events was a key part of folk music.

“My sound guy couldn’t make it to my Melbourne gig because he was flooded in on the freeway which is way inland - you couldn’t get past it at high tide.

“For the tides to make a difference to whether you can get on the freeway is just such a funny concept and kind of cool in a way. 

“(It’s like), just jump on Swellnet and check out your tide guides and see if you can go on the freeway.” 

Set to make stops in the state’s North, North-West and South this weekend, Grunwald opened the floodgates for a barrage of song suggestions from Tasmanian fans. 

“It’s epic when that happens.

“I’ve been going through this stage of really appreciating people in the audience calling out songs I wrote, some 15 years ago, some five years ago, some last year or whatever but it’s that spread.

“As you do it for longer and longer you really start to appreciate that, so it is good to get out there and play them.”

Tickets are available at www.moshtix.com.au