Do you remember your first ever gig? What happened?
My first gig was 18 August 2007. I will never forget that night. A friend asked if I would fill a spot in a show he was putting on and I had never gotten up in front of a crowd before. The place was packed with about 200 people and by the time I was finished, everyone was out of their seats clapping. I was addicted.

So, what's in store for the crowd at one of your gigs?
I love playing live and my shows are definitely all about that. When people come to see me play they can expect some great music, good stories and a great time.

"I finished the song and, when I looked up, she just stared at me and said, 'I didn’t know you were a singer', and I answered, 'Neither did I'."  

Tell us a bit about your album Never Look Back - what can we expect?
The album is really a collection of things that I, or the people close to me, have gone through. I called it Never Look Back because all of the stories that make up the album are all about the journey and always moving forward.

What are you most proud of about the album?
I love that every song on the album has its own life. Each one has its own feel and tells its own story. I have to thank my producer and good friend Terry Brown for that as well. He has an unbelievable ear for music and always matches the production to the specific message of the song. 

What was it like to record?
It was an unbelievable feeling. I’m so grateful to be able to say that I get to do what I love to do. The coolest part for me was taking the songs from words in my head and watching them come to life. I’ll never forget the first time I came home from a recording session with Terry. I felt so alive.

So, when did you first realise you had musical talent?
It’s actually a funny story. I was about 14 and working as a counsellor in training at a summer camp. I picked up my guitar, in between training sessions, and started playing the chords that I had learnt in my lessons that week. Another trainee came over and she asked me what I was playing. I told her, “'Wonder Wall' by Oasis,” and started playing the chords from the beginning. She stopped me and said, and I’ll never forget this, “I can’t follow the song unless you sing it.”

Singing was the last thing on my mind at the time - I wanted to be the next Slash. However, I started the song from the beginning and sang it this time too.  I finished the song and, when I looked up, she just stared at me and said, “I didn’t know you were a singer”, and I answered, “Neither did I.”   

"I love that every song on the album has its own life. Each one has its own feel and tells its own story."

Who were your childhood musical heroes?
I listened to a very wide range of music when I was younger. The first musical heroes I had were probably N Sync. The harmonies they produced were amazing. The boy band phase for me lasted until I was 12 or 13 and then I heard ACDC’s 'Shook Me All Night Long', at a friend’s party. My entire world changed after that. He introduced me to one of his favourite bands Nirvana, which then lead me to find Green Day, probably my second childhood musical heroes. Finally my dad took me to a Springsteen concert when I was about 15 or 16 and he’s been a huge influence for me ever since. 

What's the guiltiest pleasure on your iPod?
A couple years ago my family and I went to Disneyworld and saw their fireworks show at the Magic Kingdom called 'Wishes'. I have the song for that show on my iPod and I listen to it whenever I want to smile. Disney just has so many good memories for me and I keep that song on my iPod to remind me of those great times. 

Finish the sentence: A good night out starts with...
Good food. I’m a food nut, especially for pizza and pasta. 

It ends with...
Hanging out with friends, jamming and listening to music. I’m a pretty low-key kind of guy.

It's our round - what are you having?
I’m a beer drinker and really like trying different kinds of beer. So, no matter if it’s a bottle or on tap, I’m good.

What's the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
“Have fun, joy is contagious.”

Anything to add?
Thank you so much for taking the time to ask me these questions and, to those of you reading, thank you for reading. Check me out on Facebook, follow me on Twitter, or become a member of my mailing list by going to the contact section of www.joshtaerk.com. I love hearing your thoughts and I try to get back to everyone.

Never Look Back, the new album from Josh Taerk, is out now. Find out more at www.joshtaerk.com.