Cody Simpson Read online

  I travel with these adjustable weights that we’ll break out if we can’t get to the hotel gym. And sometimes we’ll do a makeshift workout on the bus, with dips in between the bunks and push-ups and stuff. I’ve always been very active. I like it that way.

  I haven’t done a swimming training session since I was back home. It’s probably been about three years. Sometimes I do a couple of laps in a hotel pool, but obviously nothing at all like I did back home. I realize how far off I am now compared to when I was training at my peak. I miss the competitions and stuff. The training was pretty intense, but I do miss it. When I was watching Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte swim in the Olympics last year, I could feel that familiar sense of competition and adrenaline, as if I was competing, too. When I get back in the pool I sometimes race my dad and stuff, and the feeling does come back, for sure. There’s nothing in the world quite like the thrill of a race. I miss it. I suspect I always will.

  PARADISE 2

  As I write, I’m back in the studio recording my latest album, Paradise: Part 2. I hope it demonstrates my continuing evolution as an artist. Music is a powerful tool of expression, and I think this album is my most personal and revealing album to date. It’s a little more mature, naturally, because I’m growing up and I want my music to reflect that. Paradise had a pretty even mix of acoustic, groovy songs and more up-tempo dance songs. Paradise: Part 2 will incorporate more of that groovy guitar vibe. I’m writing constantly, and as I keep evolving, the songs I’m coming up with are tending to be more in that acoustic guitar style. It’s shaping up into what I want it to be. It really reflects my vision for what a great album should be.

  For a pop artist like myself, it’s important to continually shape and reshape my sound. I know that might worry my fans who like me just the way I am, but I think they’ll really enjoy the direction in which I’m heading. I’m hoping they’ll want to come along for the ride.

  My dream? To collaborate with either Jack Johnson or Justin Timberlake one day. Justin Timberlake is just such a good entertainer. He’s a total inspiration, especially his live performances. I’d also love to write songs with Jack Johnson. Maybe on the beach in Hawaii, where he lives. I love his way with lyrics. Pop star or not, he’s a total poet. Such a genius.

  As I wrote songs for the album, I focused on more mature subject matter. And as a result, I think, the sound itself has become more polished, more sophisticated. For example, “Stolen” is a moody, emotional song inspired by my experience when I fell for a girl who had a boyfriend. Also, the song “Neck Kisses” is a lot sexier than anything I’ve sung before. I think both show my growth, and I hope that my fans will enjoy listening to them as much as I enjoyed writing and singing them.

  Acoustic set with Andrew Watt.

  THE FUTURE

  Sometimes I think about where I would be now if all of this had never happened. Where would I be if I hadn’t moved to LA and pursued music? Obviously I think about what could have happened with my swimming. Perhaps I focus too much on this question. I’m passionate about music and creating something important. But I was also right on the cusp of achieving some of my major dreams in swimming.

  I know that if I had stayed swimming in Australia and never taken the chance in signing with a record label, I would be asking myself the same kind of question: what would have happened with music? But I think the feelings of regret – and wondering if I’d made the right choice – would be much more intense if it was the other way around.

  If you asked me whether I would rather be headlining a sold-out arena tour around the world or winning a gold medal at the Olympics, my answer would be headlining the arena tour around the world. Winning a race is conquering something. Playing a great show is giving something to the fans. It’s a form of expression. I could have had a bright future in swimming, but I know I made the right decision.

  When I was offered a record deal in the States and the chance to create songs that express who I am and what I’m about, I knew it meant giving up swimming. I had been training hard and felt so close to achieving my goals. Saying goodbye was a pretty radical move. To swim in the Olympics for Australia was my dream, and one that was in my sights. But an opportunity to sign with a major record label – well, that’s the kind of chance that only comes along once in a lifetime. So I took it.

  The water and the music are both a big part of who I am and where I came from. It was a difficult decision to leave one of them behind. But it was the best decision I ever made.

  I feel blessed in so many ways, but especially for the unconditional support of my family as I follow my dreams. My parents, brother, and sister uprooted their lives and moved to Los Angeles for an adventure. And that’s certainly what we’ve had so far! From red carpets and touring throughout Europe to being followed by fans in a supermarket – they’ve stood by me through it all.

  And still, I know I’m at the very beginning. It was a lot of hustling during those first two years to kick it off and prove myself. Now that I’ve established myself I feel a lot more freedom musically than I did when I first started out. Now I can be true to myself, write my own songs, and really express myself. It takes a while to be trusted creatively.

  And there’s so much more I still have to show the world. Having had the experiences I’ve had and having the fans I have, I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world. It’s paradise. It really is. And I’m only just getting started. Trust me.

  THANK YOU

  First and foremost, I want to extend the deepest thank-you to my fans. You are the ones reading this book right now and if it wasn’t for you, none of this would be possible. From the very bottom of my heart, thank you for supporting me at every turn. You give me the confidence, strength, and motivation to continue to work hard and be the best person and artist I can possibly be. It’s a special feeling, which I can hardly describe, knowing that I have you with me always. You come to the shows, you listen to the music, you have my back, and so much more. This book is for you. It’s for you to get to know me better, it’s for you to understand where I came from and where I want to go. Please continue to join me on this journey.

  Thank you to my managers, Matt Graham and Scooter Braun, and the rest of the amazing team at Scooter Braun Management, including but not limited to Allison Kaye, Brad Haugen, and Scott Manson, for believing in me and guiding me at every turn. Also, thank you to the team at Primary Wave Management. Thank you to David Loeffler and Randy Phillips and the rest of the AEG family for giving me the tools to become the best entertainer I can be. My incredible choreographer, Ed Moore. Cameron Duddy and Harper Smith for being rad. Jeff Traynor for teaching me to be a beast. My band, dancers, and crew for touring with me. Tina Fasbender, Lauren Adovasio, and Jon Nussbaum at Fasbender & Associates for looking after me. Thank you to my legal team, Aaron Rosenberg, Josh Karp, and Eric Greenspan, for always protecting me.

  I’d also like to thank my tour crew, including my videographer and photographer, Florent Déchard, who captured many of the incredible images in this book, my tour manager, Steven Welc, road manager, Justin Stirling, and guitarist/musical director Andrew Watt! You fellas make touring such an awesome experience. So many hilarious memories!

  A special thank-you to my incredible label, Atlantic Records/Warner Music Group, and to everyone who helps out in New York/Los Angeles and offices all across the world. Julie Greenwald, Craig Kallman, Chris Stang, Pete Ganbarg, Chris Morris, Aaron Bay-Schuck, Mike Caren, Jon Lewis, Andrea Ganis, Michele Cranford, Torsten Luth, Christine Goyette, Christina Kotsamanidis, Chelsey Northern, Sheila Richman, David Saslow, Jason Pleskow, Danielle Geiger, Dane Venable, Harlan Frey, Sara Nemerov, Jack McMorrow, Adam Abramson, Matt Engelman, Nick Bilardello, Andrew Schenkel, Camille Hackney, Jonathan Feldman, Brad Rains, Phil Botti, Erica Bellarosa, Maria Gagliese, and so many others.

  Lastly, I’d like to share my thanks and appreciation with my family. Mum, Dad, sister Alli, and brother Tom, I wouldn’t be in this position if it wasn’t for your support
and encouragement. You’ve given up an astounding amount in order for me to pursue my musical and artistic endeavors, and for that I will be forever grateful. You’re by my side every step of the way, and I thank you for keeping my feet on the ground and my head out of the clouds! Matt Graham, my manager and the big brother I never had, what would I do without you?! Thank you for believing in me and working so hard. We’re in this together! I also appreciate the oceans of priceless advice you’ve drowned me in, applicable to many important aspects of my life: music, work, and the ladies.

  Cheers,

  P.S. Do Something Cool

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  CODY SIMPSON began to record in his bedroom during the summer of 2009, performing covers of popular artists and two original songs, “One” and “Perfect.” He put the tracks up on YouTube and was subsequently discovered by Shawn Campbell, a Grammy-nominated record producer who has worked with Jay-Z and other artists. This is Cody’s first book. You can visit him online at www.codysimpson.com.

  Visit www.AuthorTracker.com for exclusive information on your favorite HarperCollins authors.

  CREDITS

  Cover layout design © HarperCollins Publishers LTD 2013

  Cover photographs © Ellis Parrinder

  COPYRIGHT

  Cody Simpson: Welcome to Paradise: My Journey

  © Cody Simpson, 2013

  All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the nonexclusive, nontransferable right to access and read the text of this e-book on-screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, downloaded, decompiled, reverse-engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of HarperCollins e-books.

  www.harpercollinschildrens.com

  Library of Congress catalog card number: 2013947666

  ISBN 978-0-06-228117-3 (trade bdg.)

  EPub Edition September 2013 ISBN 9780062281180

  13 14 15 16 17 LP/RRDJC 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

  First Edition

  Design: Ben Gardiner and Lucy Sykes-Thompson

  All photographs supplied courtesy of Cody Simpson and his management team unless otherwise stated.

  Images on pp. 11, 18–19, 20 (bottom left), 25 (bottom), 31 (top right and bottom), 37 (bottom left), 38–39, 44–45, 47 (bottom right), 50–51, 55 (right), 85 (top left), 90–91, 98, 115, 119, 120 (top left), 129 (middle left), 132, 133, 134, 136, 137, 138, 139, 140–141, 142 (top), 149, 152, 153 (top right and bottom left), 158, 159, 165, 176–177, 179, 183, 184–185, 186, 190–191, 192, 196 (left), 200–201, 202, 205, 210–211, 213, 221, 222–223, 227, 228–229, 234–235, 238–239 and 195 © Florent Déchard

  Images on pp. 2, 4, 6, 8–9, 12 (bottom right), 14, 16–17, 42–43, 48, 62–63, 64, 73, 76–77, 78, 93, 100–101, 116–117, 127–128, 146–147, 156–157, 160–161, 162, 174, 178, 180–181, 198–199, 209 (right), 214–215, 218, 230–231 and 236 © Ellis Parrinder

  Images on pp. 1 and 3 © www.shutterstock.com

  While every effort has been made to trace the owners of the images produced herein and secure permission to use them, the publishers would like to apologize for any omissions and will be pleased to incorporate missing acknowledgments in any future edition of this book.

  Cody Simpson asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this work.

  ABOUT THE PUBLISHER

  Australia

  HarperCollins Publishers (Australia) Pty. Ltd.

  Level 13, 201 Elizabeth Street

  Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia

  http://www.harpercollins.com.au

  Canada

  HarperCollins Canada

  2 Bloor Street East – 20th Floor

  Toronto, ON, M4W, 1A8, Canada

  http://www.harpercollins.ca

  New Zealand

  HarperCollins Publishers (New Zealand) Limited

  P.O. Box 1

  Auckland, New Zealand

  http://www.harpercollins.co.nz

  United Kingdom

  HarperCollins Publishers Ltd.

  77-85 Fulham Palace Road

  London, W6 8JB, UK

  http://www.harpercollins.co.uk

  United States

  HarperCollins Publishers Inc.

  10 East 53rd Street

  New York, NY 10022

  http://www.harpercollins.com