NOT many artists write songs about a paedophile priest, suicide, depression and drug addiction, but then not every artist is William 'Bill' Crighton, one of the artists announced for this year's Mullum Music Festival.

Listening to his music, the first word that comes to mind is 'intense', which is reaffirmed when Crighton steps on stage.

His music has been described as "psychedelic country rock in a modern Australiana kind of way", a description Crighton is comfortable with.

"I'm comfortable with that description. I truly believe that's an accurate way to explain what I do and for this record," he said.

"I grew up in Australia and I spent a lot of my time wanting to be someone else, imitating, trying to be this and that, and then I started to travel, I lived in the US and in China.

"That got me in touch with what it is to be Australian, it's hard to explain but it lives inside you. "

Depression and other hard-hitting subjects mingle with some very romantic songs in his album.

Mark this as one of the not-to-be-missed gigs at this year's festival.

For details on the first announcement of artists coming to Mullum Music Festival this year, click here,

Read our interview with Olympia ahead of her Mullum Music Festival show here.

• Mullum Music Festival 2016 will be held in Mullumbimby from November 17- 20, 2016. For details visit www.mullummusicfestival.com.