Frank Turner is “an old punk pretending to be a country singer from Winchester, England”. He is playing New Zealand shows in April with his band The Sleeping Souls. He will play Auckland’s Kings Arms, Saturday April 6 and Wellington’s Bodega, Sunday April 7. Here are five albums he’s loving right now…

1 – Frightened Rabbit, Pedestrian Verse:  I’ve been deeply in love with the Rabbit since their second album, Midnight Organ Fight, hit a few years back. Scott is also a buddy of mine these days, we’re in pretty similar situations in life so he’s a good person to talk to. I think their new record is a masterpiece – when I first heard Nitrous Gas I had to stop what I was doing and sit down. Amazing stuff.

2 – The National, Alligator: I was pretty late to the party for this band, but now I’m on board in a big way. This record in particular I find very intense, almost difficult to listen to. The lyrics were a big inspiration for my new album.

3 – Ed Harcourt, Back Into The Woods: Ed is a great songwriter and a touring buddy of mine. This album is a real tour de force, it might actually be my favourite thing he’s done – it’s pretty stripped back but the songs are incredible, instant classics.

4 – Chet Baker, Chet Baker Sings:  I was really into this album many years ago and I’ve recently been rediscovering it. It’s so beautiful, almost heart-breakingly so, his voice and his playing are so perfect and yet so delicate. One to listen to as I fall asleep.

5 – Larry & His Flask, Fuck It From Pawntucket: This is actually a live album that you get free if you get involved in the fundraiser for their new album. I got it and have been hammering the repeat button in anticipation of what they cook up in the studio. Another bunch of road friends, his band has to be heard to be believed, the only real “folk punk” band worth talking about right now.