As he gets set to release his new album When the Lights Go Up, we spoke to the very cute artist about his burgeoning gay following, connecting with his audience and his near-death experience!

Stop or confirm (or start) a rumour about yourself...
I'm going to do both. I'm stopping the rumour that I'm Australian, which one in two Americans over here (New York) seems to think I am when I say anything. I'm starting the rumour that both The Queen and Barack Obama have bought copies of my album, and are both huge fans.

"I think I'm most proud of when people assume I'm further along in my career than I actually am, because that means I've fooled them. [Smiles]."

Tell us a bit about your album When the Lights Go Up - what can we expect?
Sergeant Pepper meets Thriller. Jokes aside, I think you can expect a very honest, emotional group of songs that almost anyone can relate to and perhaps find comfort in. I've tried to write songs that represent the various elements of my life at the moment and the journey I've been on over the last few years. I'm a bit of a sucker for catchy melodies and big choruses, so you should expect to find some of those in the mix. [Smiles].

What are you most proud of about the album?
To date I've recorded both albums, as well as few EPs, as an independent artist. By grinding away and working as hard as I possibly can, I've managed to produce something with this album that I think holds its own in the world and I've done it without the help of a huge record label or Simon Cowell behind it. I think I'm most proud of when people assume I'm further along in my career than I actually am, because that means I've fooled them. [Smiles].

"I have definitely noticed a gay following at more and more gigs of late, long may it flourish."

What was it like to record?
I recorded this in two parts, one in LA with a producer called Marshall Altman who recently produced Natasha Bedingfield's album. The experience of recording and living in LA (which I did for a month while we recorded) is everything you think it might be. I definitely got used to 25 degree weather and blue skies everyday - but I'm a city boy and was quite happy to come home after it was done.

The second part was recorded in Nashville this January in a studio that is based in converted horse stables in the middle of nowhere. For two weeks I woke up everyday and opened the curtains to horses wandering around in the snow - it was quite amazing. I worked with a fantastic producer (Dave Bechtel) and amazing musicians and was really happy with how both parts came out.

What's in store for the crowd at a gig?
At the risk of sounding cliche, I play every gig like it's my last and my entire focus is to make sure the crowd leave feeling like they got their money's worth. I know how hard it is to get people to come to a show, so when someone does my mentality is 'this person spent money to come and see you sing songs, you better entertain the hell out of them'. The biggest joy of playing live is that, with every show, you and the audience are creating something so unique, that only you and they will ever experience it, and I think the idea of that is pretty amazing.

"The biggest joy of playing live is that, with every show, you and the audience are creating something so unique, that only you and they will ever experience it, and I think the idea of that is pretty amazing."

Do you have any funny / crazy tour stories to share with us?
I supported a band last year called Boyce Avenue on an 18 date European Tour. One of the rougher parts of supporting is that you have to get yourself from gig to gig so I was bombing around Europe for the month in a little Peugeot which held up amazingly until I had to drive overnight from Vienna to Milan through the Alps.

A snowstorm ensued and I have never been so scared in my life. At one point my car span out of control on a hill and I just closed my eyes thinking that was that - somehow I managed to regain to control and missed an oncoming car by an inch. It was quite horrific, but now makes a great story for questions like this.

You're a great looking guy and no doubt get a lot of female attention, but what about the guys? Have you noticed much of a gay following so far?
Thank you, I will pass those sentiments on to my mother who takes full praise for my genes. [Smiles]. I have definitely noticed a gay following at more and more gigs of late, long may it flourish.

Do you ever hit the gay clubs on a night out?
It's pretty hard to grow up in Brighton and not hit a gay club at some point. [Winks].

Finish the sentence: A good night out starts with...
Good intentions.

It ends with...
Bad intentions.

What comes first for you - sex or love?
I'll play this one safe and say love.

What's the worst job you've ever had?
You name it, I've done it. I spent a miserable period doing telesales once, pissing off 70 year old widows and trying to sell them new landline packages is about as depressing as you can get. I waitered a lot here in New York, one time managing to cause about 30 gallons of water to fall on a customer by opening a retractable roof that had been collecting rainwater for a week.

But by far, I spent four years working in a 9-5 that I started to think was going to get the better of me and that I'd have to give up on music. Fortunately, I managed to escape the rat race and here I am.

"As someone that watches a lot of people perform, that eye contact is one of the most important parts of live performance. People can see into your soul through your eyes, but not if they're closed."

What's the best thing ever invented?
The Flux Capacitor. Sadly, it never made it into production.

What's the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
My mum told me very early on in my performances to keep my eyes open when I sing and I know now as someone that watches a lot of people perform that eye contact is one of the most important parts of live performance. People can see into your soul through your eyes, but not if they're closed.

Two words:
Just any two? Nick and Howard.

Anything to add?
I really hope to see some of your readers and followers at a show soon, hope that you enjoy the album and thank you so much for having me.

When the Lights Go Up, the new album from Nick Howard, is out on 31 October 2011. Find out more at www.nickhowardmusic.com.