So he went to Iceland to record his debut album.

Pan was made at Greenhouse Studio in Reykjavik, where many of his favourite artists made their records - including Tim Hecker, Anohni, Ben Frost, and even Kanye West. Of Monsters and Men, Feist, and Colin Stetson have also recorded at the famous indie studio.

And as well as the storied setting, Mr Ouston wanted to go somewhere unfamiliar to capture the right mental atmosphere.

"I had this idea that I wanted to take this project there," he said.

"I wanted to immerse myself in a slightly familiar but still alien landscape.

"Iceland shares quite a number of similarities with Tasmania, and I wanted to go somewhere that retained some of that isolation, if you like, but that also wasn't home for me."

The project was developed through a Mona DarkLab commission for Dark Mofo 2019 - Pan was the first album ever commissioned by the body.

Costume combines orchestral music, electronics, and high fashion aesthetic - the latter coming through in his live performance, which he is bringing to the Earl Arts Centre this month.

"Obviously the act is called Costume, so there's a certain expectation that comes with that," he laughed.

"[Hobart costume designer] Michelle Boyd came up with a range of costumes that myself and Natalia Bing, who plays violin with me on stage, wear throughout.

"There's a bit of a narrative that flows through the performance of transformation and a wary stalking of one's desires, really.

"It's about evolving and unapologetically following the life that you want."

The show is for "people who are interested in fashion and design and music that comes from left of field".

"It's similar to Bjork - taking the pop genre and dressing it up, if you like, and made it weird - for the misfits of the world," he said.

WHAT: Costume's Dream Palace tour

WHERE: Earl Arts Centre

WHEN: February 28, 8pm

HOW MUCH: $40

TICKETS: theatrenorth.com.au