When Luke Roberts describes his music to people who haven't heard it before, he tells them, “I'm classic.” As an interviewee, Roberts uses words sparingly, but he doesn’t need to talk when his music conveys so much. (In fact, his music is pretty much the same — it’s been described as “wide in scope and spare in structure, as universal as it is personal.”)

Roberts uses travel as inspiration for his songs, and has lived in a trailer to Montana, traveled to Cambodia and Thailand and created his third album, Sunlit Cross, in Kenya. He stayed with a family whose daily challenges inspired him to create.

“I spend a lot of time counterbalancing things,” Roberts says. “If I want to say ‘yes,’ I’ll pronounce it ‘no,’ and then ask myself why and I end up saying ‘Jesus.’” The album also has a cameo by Kurt Vile, who is a big enough fan that he asked Roberts to tour with him. Roberts elucidates on his new album, out on October 14 on Thrill Jockey, below. Well, sorta.

Hometown/Homebase: Nashville, TN

Tell us why your album is called Sunlit Cross.

I'm not sure, to be honest. I don't know how to say why, it just makes so much sense to my heart.

I read that being in Kenya was a big inspiration for the album. Why is that?

Being around the people in the country there reminded me of how I want to sing and play.

How do your songs get made?

I listen to my head and heart for rhythms and melodies, and I sing along with them.

Who are your musical heroes?

People who are tapped into that otherness and live in the twilight — that pay homage to their roots, that can sing from the heart. They make you not alone.

Did you always know you wanted to be a musician?

I'm pretty sure I was born wanting to do it. [My eureka moment was] looking at heavy metal magazines at the grocery store. [I can't remember the first time I wanted to perform or sing but] I think it was probably about losing love.

You've traveled a lot; does your wanderlust influence your songwriting a lot? And does it also lend itself to your stripped-down sound?

Travel has been the main influence on my form and content. Having nowhere to go is the worst.

How did you end up in settling in Tennessee?

For me Nashville is a good place to raise my son.

You collaborate with Kurt Vile on "Silver Chain" … How did that happen?

We met online. I played him the track and he wanted to sing on it.

What's the one thing that still surprises you about being a singer-songwriter?

That people listen.

What's the craziest thing a fan has ever done for you?

One had my baby.

If you were a hashtag, what would you be?

#idektbh