There’s no place like home for musician Taylor Rankin. The 33-year-old has spent the past six years performing everywhere from Alexandria, Egypt, to Zermatt, a small town at the foot of Switzerland’s highest mountainous peaks.

But that won’t stop him from pouring out “every milligram of soul” into his concerts here. He performs under the moniker “Taylor Rankin and his violin Leroy” — it’s how he has been promoted for his five special gigs here, from June 10 to 28.

Lifestyle caught up with the artist (right) to find out what life has been like on the road and what he is most looking forward to doing after landing back on the rock.

• You’ve travelled all across the world but what’s been your most memorable performing moment?

In Tel Aviv [Israel], playing for a Palestinian psychologist who happened to be blind, who had just come back from working with ISIS victims. There were tears, emotions ... meaning.

• What’s the strangest food you’ve eaten on the road?

Beef tongue and beef forehead. That happened in downtown Cairo, sitting among poets and taking in the local amazingness.

Have you ever been given the red carpet treatment? If so, what happened and where?

I feel like it happens everywhere. Music opens doors to a pathway like no other. Often at border checkpoints in strange countries, everyone is hassled, but I’ll play some music then the tea, the food and conversation starts without words.

• Have you ever had a fan do something strange to meet you?

Not really. Once a fan brought violin strings [to my show], and you know if he hadn’t I would’ve been in trouble that night.

• Was there ever an ‘aha’ moment when you realised your career was taking off?

Every time I’m in transit to another place. I realise I’m living my life — interacting with incredible cultures in a way only musicians can.

I’m eating food beyond my belief ... [performing] on stages, in the middle of deserts, in shanty towns, on glaciers ... and somehow I’m getting paid too. Wow.

• What’s been the biggest lesson you’ve learned since then?

Dream. Balance your budget. Open your heart and mind.

Enjoy your emotions ... and trust, but not too much otherwise every piece of equipment you own might get stolen from under your eyes.

• Are there any challenges that come with being a travelling musician?

Nope. Just [finding] one’s own inner balance.

• What are the rewards? Any favourite places you’ve been to over the years?

Buses always deliver on experiences. I recommend to people that they always take the bus and any transportation with locals.

• What inspired you to pick up a violin in the first place?

I don’t actually know. Mostly a mother of Japanese persuasion.

• Why is your violin named Leroy?

One day he just told me, then I told everyone.

• What’s it like when you come back home to Bermuda to perform? Surreal or pretty much the same as everywhere else?

Actually there’s a sense of responsibility when I’m home to be genuine and more real than ever.

• What things do you always like to do when you first get back?

Smell the air, hang my hand out the window while driving. Go to Art Mels and Rock Island. Hug my people and yell at Milton R.

• What three things wouldn’t you leave home without when going on tour?

Leroy the violin and his bag of toys, chopsticks for my hair, [a sense of] hunger and my new luggage that I can ride like a scooter.

Do you have any favourite songs you like to perform? Why those in particular?

Rastamon in New York City and Wolfking. I made them, and I like them. That is rather unusual.

• Why should people come out to see you live later on this month?

Because of the people I love ... the guests performing: Rowdy Piper, Joy, Mike Hind, Keith Caisey and some many more, alongside the incredible Dwight Hart on drums. Plus, I will drain every milligram of soul and feeling [out] for every soul at every show.

If that’s not enough, then Leroy knows how to groove and sing bass lines like no other violin on this planet.

• Tickets for shows from June 19 to 28 are available from www.premierticketsglobal.com or 278-1500. For more information visit Facebook: Taylor Rankin or www.taylorrankin.com/leroyfest