I first picked up a guitar at seven after watching Dad play at backyard barbecues.
Cody Simpson
I grew up on the Gold Coast of Australia, on the beach, basically.
I feel like if you can do multiple things, you shouldn't shy away from them.
I have been a lover of the sea ever since I can remember.
I'm a seeker of transcendence through music, and that's kind of where I'm at with the live shows - wanting to help people get out of their heads a little bit.
I try to stay very, very true to my roots and my lifestyle and I wanted to be able to share that with my fans.
With the Internet, fans feel like they know you and I love that kind of connection.
My accent fades away I guess when I sing. It's real weird. I guess singing is pretty much a universal language like you sing however everyone else sings and that's with an American accent. I sound very different when I talk.
Music is just where I sort of write my emotions down.
I like a girl that's just fun to be around. They make me laugh, but also they're faithful and honest. And it's all in the eyes.
I have an ear monitor to block outside noise when I'm performing. It makes it easier. But sometimes I like to take the ear monitor off and listen to the craziness going on.
I'm a big perfectionist, and I like to make sure everything 120 percent, from the production to the vocal performance to the lyrics, the melody and everything.
For Valentine's Day, I wrote my crush a song and had it professionally recorded. I never released it, though, because I wanted it to be a song just for her. I thought it would be more special that way.
My main focus now is playing the guitar. I'm not really like, dancing on stage anymore.
I write about everything that happens in my life, whether or not the songs actually are released or not.
Having pop sensibilities from my past and also being a lead blues and sort of rock guitarist allowed me to bring that kind of beachy rock groove.
You can say, 'Put your hands up.' And 30,000 people put their hands up. It's one of the craziest things.
I used to listen to Keith Urban and Johnny Cash and stuff.
I really like 'Wish U Were Here.' It's about being on tour, but really missing someone and wishing she was there with me. I shot the music video at different places all around the country, where I've been on tour.
I wasn't exactly sure where I wanted to take my music and how I wanted to be portrayed, and it was sort of, not done for me, but more directed.
It's nice to have a lot of people supportive of what I'm doing.
I feel like at 18, you're half of someone else, as opposed to all of yourself. You're still figuring yourself out.
I love a challenge.
I was just a regular kid.
For me, it's more about the musicianship - focusing on the guitar, playing with my band, rather than just going out and doing what anyone my age can do with backup dancers and a track.
I'm very, very, very romantic.
Obviously spending my teenage years in music, and in popular music, I wanted to continue this career, but in a way that allows me to dictate it and create it myself as opposed to relying on third party or more corporate decision making.
I hope that my journey inspires kids from all around the world to pursue their passions and work hard for their dreams.
I'd like to be the best boyfriend I can possibly be.
I found myself in a meeting on my 13th birthday, which I really had no idea the enormity of, but I was in a meeting with the CEO of Atlantic Records, who sort of signed me right then and there as I was playing guitar for him.
I realized I can do other things. I started developing opinions on serious matters and it's not all sugar and spice.
The very first time I came to The States I came right to New York and I remember walking around Times Square, I saw a couple of shows and I thought, 'I'd love to come here and do this.'
People feel so much more comfortable bullying behind a screen than in person. It gives them a mystique and makes them say things that they would never be strong enough to say in person.
I have a good time performing for girls. I think the guys will come when I grow up musically. We'll see.
Miley is one of my best friends, and she helps with some of that transitional stuff - trying to escape your childhood. She's super open-minded, and I'm working on becoming more like that.
I guess over the course of time, I started to open up to a lot of the issues surrounding the oceans. From my personal experience, being out in the water and seeing plastics floating around and thinking they are jellyfish and realizing they're plastic bags. I'm always that guy that will take it into the shore.
John Mayer is the epitome of the lead guitar player so I sent him an email with a bunch of my music and he sent back really detailed advice.
Our society is set up in a way that's so against the natural state of nature, and the way it's all initially intended to be. I kind of have to - not rebel, but peacefully rebel, in a sense - and do my part to protect it, regardless of the way that society is set up.
The Wish Factory did a tremendous job and I am amazed at how closely the doll resembles me. The clothes are modeled off actual stuff I wear, which is pretty cool.
I think everyone should get out and go for a surf.
I've grown up listening to Jack Johnson and John Mayer. But I also love to groove on stage like Justin Timberlake.
I actually grew up listening to country music.
I grew up a competitive swimmer. I wanted to go the Olympics. Both my parents were professional swimmers. I competed internationally quite often, right up until I moved to California to pursue music.
It's my biggest advantage with girls - I'm going to try to keep my accent as much as can.
I like girls who are laid back and fun to be around.
Jack Johnson, John Mayer, Neil Young and Bob Dylan are my main influences.
I'm pretty drama-free.
All my close friends are normal dudes and then I will hang out with some girl who is a musician and everyone thinks that's what it's all about.
There's not a lot of ego in the Broadway community. Everyone's out to do well.
I'm like the male Taylor Swift.
