Cody Simpson Page 7

  So I don’t feel like I’m missing out at all, because I’m getting to have these amazing experiences, with these amazing, talented people. I know I’m lucky. I know I’m blessed. Sure, it’d be fun to go to a prom, but I wouldn’t trade my life for anything.

  Events like the Grammys are always a good time. Usually, I’ll gear up by spending the afternoon picking out my outfit and I’ll take a bit longer to get my hair just right. When I get dropped off at the event and step out of the car onto the red carpet, there are fans behind a gate, yelling, paparazzi flashing their cameras, and journalists shouting their questions. It’s a pretty sweet feeling. You really feel famous when you’re on the red carpet. I don’t feel famous day to day, at home or in the studio. It’s just not natural to me to feel that way. But when I’m on the red carpet, with all those cameras and fans around, I feel part of that world.

  And I love the attention. I absolutely embrace getting recognized. It would be scarier if I wasn’t. I like to know my hard work is paying off, and my music is connecting to more and more fans. If I didn’t want that, I’d be surfing at home.

  FAMOUS FRIENDS

  Alli is my best friend, but of course I do have a few others in LA. Justin Bieber has been a really supportive mate. We’ve spent nights in the studio, nights chilling in Vegas, Paris, and LA, and he has given me the great opportunity of traveling around the US and the world with him on his Believe tour.

  Alli and I also have a great friend in Jessica Jarrell, the R&B/pop singer, and we have spent a lot of time over the last year with Kylie and Kendall Jenner. I am really good mates with Kylie, who is a great confidante. And her whole family was very supportive when I released Paradise. In fact, one of my favorite holiday memories was being invited to their big annual Christmas Eve party in 2011. They were so friendly and welcoming, we had a great evening. Because of our busy schedules, hanging out together has been more difficult over the past year, but it’s always fun when we can find time.

  Living legend Roger Daltrey of The Who trying to mess up my hair after our interview together for Teen Cancer America!

  Dad and I meeting Lionel Richie.

  Serenading my ultimate crush, Miranda Kerr.

  Hanging with John Travolta at the G’Day Gala.

  I’d like to believe Katy Perry was into me that night.

  GIRLS, GIRLS, GIRLS

  When it comes to dating, I’m basically a regular teenage guy. I just try to keep it a little more private than most. I’m young and still figuring it all out. In this business it’s hard to make a relationship work. Traveling as much as I do puts a strain on it, and it’s difficult for a relationship to grow when it happens in the public eye. I don’t like holding hands or PDAs (public displays of affection), because I feel like someone is always watching – and taking pictures.

  What’s my type? I’m usually into girls who are of the wholesome, girl-next-door type. I like a girl with class and self-respect, and a girl that I can trust, as it’s difficult for me to find people I can truly talk to about everything. Knowing that my personal thoughts and feelings are safe with them is essential. Trust and honesty are vitally important when it comes to relationships.

  I’d honestly like to get married and have kids one day, but not more than three. I’d love to have a house in LA and a house in Australia, and I’d like my kids to be raised where I was – on the Gold Coast.

  I’m also a regular teenage guy in a lot of other ways. I have some terrible habits that annoy my mum and Alli. The worst is how I’m always touching my hair and fixing it. I’ve had that habit ever since I was a youngster. I also bite my nails. I can’t stop, but I’m at least working on not doing it in public.

  I spend a lot of time on my iPhone, maybe too much time. But it’s the way I connect with my fans. I keep them updated on Twitter and Instagram – my favorite. I love taking pictures and sharing them. I’m a very artistic person, and photography is another important art form to me.

  I don’t play too many video games, other than with my little brother. I always feel like I should be doing something more productive with my time. Honestly, if I have downtime, I’d rather be outside, surfing or skating or hanging with my mates.

  I try to surf as much as I can here in California. Nothing takes my mind off everything else the way surfing does. And I love going to the movies. One of my favorites is The Dark Knight with Heath Ledger. He was an Australian, and I think his interpretation of the Joker is amazing, one of the best roles ever played in a movie. I’ve seen that film more than 20 times. Unfortunately, he passed away, but he remains one of my biggest artistic inspirations with the way he put his heart and soul into every role he played. I also love a good comedy film. Will Ferrell cracks me up, especially in Anchorman.

  And like most teenage guys, I love to eat – shamelessly. I love pasta with marinara sauce. And I’m addicted to chocolate, especially Kit Kats. I hate cheese, except on pizza. And I hate eggs. I eat junk food, but not too often if I can help it. At home, my mum cooks very healthily and tries to buy organic foods. I’m used to that from swimming. I was always aware of what I was eating and how it would fuel me to compete. But on the road, it’s tougher. Sometimes the only options are fast food. Not that I don’t love a Big Mac (with no cheese, of course) as much as the next guy – but after a while I go off it.

  And, of course, music plays a huge part in my life. I used to listen to and perform with my music really loud in my headphones and ear monitors, and because of that I have tinnitus (a mild, constant ringing in my ears). Luckily it hasn’t affected my career – but still, not smart. Now I have to be careful and make sure my volume isn’t too loud. I love listening to Jack Johnson. I always have him on in my room whenever I’m in there or going to sleep. I like to go to sleep with mellow acoustic music on – it’s soothing. It’s probably not helping the tinnitus, though!

  But it doesn’t matter. Hearing a beautiful song just transports me. And I will listen to my favorite songs at any cost. Music is very powerful, and I’m just beginning to realize what an important job it is to create it.

  On the set of the “Summertime of Our Lives” video shoot.

  DEFINING MYSELF

  When I first started out, I wasn’t entirely sure of who I was musically, or as a person. I would question the way I dressed, even the way I spoke to people. A lot of that has to do with age. I think most teenagers probably question who they are. It’s hard enough to figure out when you’re leading a normal life. I had to figure it out in the spotlight. To be honest, until Matt and Scooter came into my career, the people around me were trying to tell me what to wear and how to be, and those two really helped me figure out who I was and backed my vision all the way. Above all, I knew that getting the chance to write and record my first proper studio album would be a great opportunity to define myself for the world – and for me.

  So on Paradise, my first full-length album, I wanted to make the transition to more mature music – both with my lyrics and my sound. I now knew how I wanted to articulate my perspective. And I wanted to make sure that my new music would deliver for my fans.

  The songs on Paradise showcase different styles of music that I’ve never really done before. There’s a mix of laid-back beach tunes, like “Got Me Good” and “Summer Shade.” And then there’s some real dance stuff and some creative, hybrid tracks, like “Wish U Were Here” and “I Love Girls.” There’s a part of me that wants to sit on the beach at a bonfire and listen to Jack Johnson, John Mayer, and Jason Mraz, and there’s another part of me that wants to listen to MJ and Justin Timberlake, and get on the floor and dance. I love both. I want to do both. And for the first time, I think I can. Matt always says, “Great artists can’t be put in a box.” That’s something I live by. I guess I’ll just take it as it comes, and keep maturing, and that way my music will evolve naturally.

  As you can probably tell, I really admire Justin Timberlake. And in particular, I respect how he transitioned from The Mickey Mouse Club to ’N Sync to
creating his own unique sound as a solo artist. I saw how he developed and matured creatively. That rang true for me. There’s always more to accomplish, more boundaries to push. And that’s what I was feeling the whole time I was writing and recording Paradise.

  Since 4U, I’ve also learned a lot about the production side of recording. When I started out, the technical side of things seemed mysterious. Now I love to get behind the sound board at the studio and put my stamp on a song. I like being involved in every stage to make sure that the tracks are the best they can be. One thing I’ve discovered through the process is that I like telling stories and conveying emotion – that’s why I love writing and singing the slower songs. This probably has a lot to do with my country music upbringing.

  Choosing the songs for the album was a long process. I had a bunch of songs stacking up, maybe 30 or 40, that I considered for the EPs but didn’t end up completing. Over time, we worked through a lot of them, and Matt and I decided on the ten best to start recording. Of course, we kept replacing the songs with new songs as we got closer to the release date. Never rest, I say. I think it’s why the music just kept getting better. We decided on 15 that we were definitely happy with, and then ten finally made it onto the actual track listing.

  Visiting a radio station in Tokyo.

  Paradise tour.

  I recorded the majority of the album in Hollywood, at the Atlantic Records studios. “Wish U Were Here” was recorded with the producer Dr. Luke at his house in Malibu. That time I stayed so late I fell asleep. Eventually he said, “It’s great. Go home and get some rest.” Dr. Luke has worked with the majority of the biggest pop artists out there, so to hear that from him was pretty humbling. He’s had more number-one hits on the radio over the past five years than any other producer.

  If you really want to know the truth, I recorded “Wish U Were Here” several times. The first time I recorded it with Luke’s assistant engineer. After hearing the cut, Luke had some notes, so we went back to do it again. The second time I recorded it, I asked to give it a shot with my own engineer in Hollywood. I thought it came out great, but Luke still had comments about it (and I thought I was a perfectionist!). The third time, I went to a completely different studio, with another engineer. Luke was mostly satisfied with my third performance, yet still he wanted to make some improvements and alterations. So I went in for the fourth time to re-record – or at least perfect – it at his Malibu home studio, right on the beach. This time I was actually in the studio working with him in person. I literally sang it until I couldn’t sing anymore and I fell asleep. I like to think maybe it was the vibes of the ocean that crept into the booth and helped me finish the song. The ocean has always seemed to have that sort of quality for me.

  As I write this book, I’m working on a new studio album, and I have been really picky in the studio, changing things, re-recording if I don’t think it’s good as it could be. I’d be so disappointed if I came to deliver the album and there were things that I thought I could have done better. I’m not going to get a second shot at this, and so I want to make sure everything is just the way I like it. When it comes to my music, I know exactly how I want it to sound. Sometimes it just takes work to get it to that point and to flesh out the vision. Even when everyone says it sounds great, let’s move on, sometimes I still know I can do better. You just know when a song is done. It’s when everything comes together, the beat is bumping right, and it all just feels smooth and perfect. I can’t really describe how I know it’s done. It just feels right.

  Performing live is my Paradise.

  An album is a real representation of who you are at that moment. I am sharing with my fans the experiences I’ve had and the type of person I am. And I think Paradise gives some real insights into that. “Tears on Your Pillow” is one of my favorite songs off Paradise. My dad taught me how to treat women and how to be romantic. I think it’s important to be a gentleman. I was raised that way. And the way my parents interact with each other inspires me. The song reflects that.

  I also really love the song “Gentleman.” I recorded this song in a unique way, and I think the effect is really different. First, I only used one single track of the guitar, and then I recorded one single take of the vocal. I didn’t want to over-produce it. I didn’t want too many harmonies or effects. The sound had to be clean and simple and intimate. I hoped it was a song my fans would like. And you did. So here’s to you!

  NEW HEIGHTS

  My first album was a big moment and a big opportunity to share part of myself with the world. I had high hopes for Paradise, and I put immense pressure on myself to do my best. The success of the album meant more to me than I ever imagined. I really felt I’d discovered my sound and put together the right blend of songs to represent who I am. The album hit number one on the iTunes pop chart in the US and number one in Canada the day it came out, and number 27 on the Billboard Top 200 chart. Even more importantly, the response from my fans was overwhelming!

  As hard as I work to connect to my fans and make sure I’m living up to their expectations, there are always critics. I accept that. It’s a part of the job. I deal with it by ignoring it, mostly. I don’t read negative criticism. I try to stay away from it online.

  I’m hopeful that I will prove wrong some of the negative judgements I’ve received from the press. I want people to see me for the artist that I am and that I’m going to be. I want people to judge me for who I am, not on the basis of what they may read. I admit that before I was in the industry myself, I would read bad press about an artist and believe it all. I thought that if I read it in print, it must be true. But now I understand. It’s just disappointing how much some people judge you on the basis of rumors.

  Nothing makes me feel connected to my fans or to the music like performing live. It’s an incredible feeling for me to walk out onstage and see thousands of fans waiting for me to perform. And I had the opportunity to share these new songs with fans live on my Welcome to Paradise tour. We traveled around the States in February 2012. I headlined and played to my biggest audiences yet. The first half of the tour sold out in two days, and we had to add a second round of shows in bigger venues to meet the demand.

  It was crazy that all those people had bought tickets to see me! I know how I feel when I go and see a performance by an artist I love. It’s a powerful feeling. And for me to be able to give that feeling to thousands of people every night was an honor. It was incredible to see the reaction, the insane screaming and crying! All the girls were wearing Cody Simpson T-shirts. I loved that.

  To have graduated from opening for someone else to performing for a crowd that had come to see me gave me an unbelievable feeling.

  I wanted to give everyone in the audience a night to remember. A great concert isn’t something you forget. I remember just about every concert that I’ve been to. It’s a special night for the fans, and I want to win them over again. I want to leave my mark on every single person in the venue. That’s all I think about when I walk out onstage.

  I’m a big fan of Drake. I have all of his music. I saw him live at the Gibson Amphitheatre at Universal CityWalk in December 2011. Scooter got us tickets and Matt took me and Alli. I remember the feelings of excitement and anticipation as we got to our seats, right near the front. Being in the audience gave me a real insight into how my fans must feel at my shows. It’s a big part of the reason why I do everything I can to perform my best, night in, night out, at every show I do.

  Chilling with my mate Josh.

  “Come down off that roof, Cody!” Messing around at a video shoot.

  I know it’s weird, but when I’m onstage, even though I sometimes can’t see the audience past the first few rows because of the lights, I feel my fans. I’m connected to them. My focus narrows when I’m out there to just what’s in front of me: the stage, the microphone, my guitar, the choreography. I’m entirely single-minded when I’m onstage. And even if I’m shy, reserved, or nervous right before I walk out of the wings, once I’
m out there, under the lights and doing my thing, I’m completely confident. I work hard to make sure that what my fans are seeing is what I intended. And when the fans react to my dance moves or songs, it’s awesome. It fuels me! It makes me want to never stop improving, to never stop performing.

  Like most musicians, I have certain rituals or habits around a show that have sort of developed over time. Before a show, I like to be alone, if possible, to have time to think and psych myself up. Ninety-nine percent of my performance is mental. No matter what’s going on in my life – if I’m sick, or down, or whatever – I still have to go onstage and give it my best. So it takes me a minute to get that energy ready. I am never going to disappoint my fans.

  My mind is usually racing before I go onstage. I check my hair and make sure my shoes are tied. Then I’ll go over the set list quickly and look for any last-minute changes. Just before I walk onstage, I do a handshake with my security guard Jeff. We do the shake every night as the music is starting.

  As I get to the stage, I feel the heat of the lights and the screams of the crowd. Then, as soon as I set foot into the spotlight, it all goes away – all the racing thoughts and worries – and I focus. It was the same thing when I was swimming at a competition. I would get up onto the blocks, and I’d adjust my suit and put my goggles on. But as soon as I touched the water, it all stopped. And it was just instinct. The bigger the competition, the faster I can swim – and the more guts I have to work for the win. It’s the same with performing. I perform better in front of 20,000 people than I would in front of 200 people. The higher the stakes, the more I rise to the challenge.