Quotes from Cody Simpson

I think I learned how to swim before I could walk.

Swimming is definitely a big passion that I have, but I was a champion for the butterfly and the free style and stuff. It was a hard decision if I wanted to move to the U.S. to get into music, but I was grateful that I had two choices and many things to do.

I grew up on the beach and I grew up surfing and I grew up swimming in this very genuine beach town back in Australia, and it's just something I really want to reflect in my lifestyle and in the way I am, the way I represent myself, the way I dress and the music that I make.

I have a fresh start, now that I've turned 18, which feels like such a symbolic age of independence and hopefully a new phase of my life.

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.

I actually grew up listening to country music.

You can say, 'Put your hands up.' And 30,000 people put their hands up. It's one of the craziest things.

Miley Cyrus has always been, always been my childhood celebrity crush. I knew all the words to her songs, I'm not gonna lie. I'm not ashamed about it at all.

I want to do everything I can in my own life to protect and preserve the ocean.

Actually, I did get to help very much in the design of the Cody doll. I made sure the clothes were cool and everything.

I wrote my first song when I was about eight. It was about putting a diaper on a chicken!

I'm like the male Taylor Swift.

My cell phone is the number one way for me to communicate with my fans. I love the direct connection I can make via social media whether I am on the road or at home.

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.

Life is so short - if you feel something for someone, tell them.

I feel like at 18, you're half of someone else, as opposed to all of yourself. You're still figuring yourself out.

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 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.

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 want to be a great person, not just a great artist.

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.

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.

I conceived of a concept, a project, a band. The Tide. The Tide, acting as a sonic exemplar of flow and fluidity. The way of things. The way of nature. Guitars, rock and surf music, psychedelia, transcendence from everyday bourgeois consciousness.

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.