After tasting international success last year, Warrnambool’s Cooper Lower is heading back to the United Kingdom in June to continue working on what he started. 

The soul folk influenced musician said he was keen to get back to London to be a full-time street performer and build his connections.

“There are a lot of hands to shake,” he said. 

But before the 20-year-old heads back to the UK, he’s got an important local engagement.

It's his first time on the line-up of the Port Fairy Folk Festival and he’s thrilled to reach the milestone. 

"I didn't think it would happen so quickly," he said.

"Some of the best listeners in the world are at that festival." 

Lower had a big 2018 with his first tour of the United States, including a gig on 86^th Street in New York city.

New York was among the highlights but he admitted the US experience was an eye-opener.

"America was intimidating," he said.

"It's big in every kind of way."

He was based at Boulder in Colorado from May until August and then jumped on a flight to London. 

He settled into the busking community and as it turned out home wasn’t too far away as a man from Warrnambool recognised him playing in Trafalgar Square.

Lower didn’t stop at London and ended up busking and travelling through Europe for 10 weeks. 

Munich, Berlin, Hamburg, Frankfurt, Cologne and Zurich were among the cities he had to find an ideal busking spot.

Despite his adventures, Lower said he viewed the south-west as important place for him. 

"Home is people for me," he said. 

Lower said he enjoyed sharing stories and connecting with people from home and it was something he missed when overseas.

When he gets back to London he has his sights set on making original music. 

“Once those wheels leave the tarmac I'm done with cover music," he said of his flight to London. 

Those wanting to hear some of Lower’s original tunes will have the chance at the 43^rd Port Fairy Folk Festival which takes place from Friday 8 to Monday 11 March.

This year the festival will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Woodstock music festival.

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