Quotes from Borns

I grew up in Michigan. I feel like a lot of my childhood was in solitude, in the woods or making tree forts.

I'm influenced by a lot of different genres of music. So I'm constantly trying to rework production and make things interesting in the live show and on records.

I love learning how people hear my music because everyone has different references.

When I first moved to L.A., I lived in the Hills in kind of a wooded area that was just really chill.

I want people to know me in my home state. I want their approval.

My first CD started as a studio project and I record everything with one other guy, so I didn't have a band. That's kind of how I like to do it, though. I like to create it with one other person, this guy, Tommy English, who produces everything. And then I go out on the road with a band who interprets it live.

I grew up with my mother as a Tonic Shaman.

Most of the time, it's pretending I'm somebody else to get into a different head space. A lot of times, it's just, 'Who do I want to be onstage tonight? Is it going to be Marc Bolan, or is it going to be Grace Jones, or Roy Orbison?'

I grew up watching 'The Tonight Show' and Jimmy Fallon on 'SNL.'

I remember seeing an interview from the Bee Gees and they were like, 'The biggest competition to the Bee Gees is the Bee Gees.' They just kept trying to top themselves and write better songs, and I'm just always trying to do that.

My parents bought this baby grand piano, which was in my living room, that I owe a lot to. I would just play it and write on it for hours. It was my favorite toy.

Yeah, moving to Los Angeles definitely influenced my sound.

You should always read the ingredients in coconut water. It should say 100% coconut water.

I like the idea of creating from your inner youth. You don't have to think too hard about it. Just make what feels good.

I feel like piano is my main instrument. I'm most comfortable on the piano.

I grew up a huge Roy Orbison fan. He had such a crazy range. And I grew up listening to old jazz, Billie Holiday, Nina Simone. I remember trying to imitate female jazz singers because I had a higher range.

I did a lot of magic shows growing up. My dad is a graphic designer so he helped me brand myself and create a logo. So I was just rollin' with the magician crowd for a while. But I was really young, 10 to 13, doing table magic and balloon animals at this Italian restaurant.

I'm fascinated by the yin and yang of everything.

I always like surprising people and doing things at a young age and, I don't know, trying to do them at a higher caliber than what you'd normally think. I'm not saying I'm a virtuoso, but I always challenge myself.

I always found creative ways to make money since I was pretty young kid.

I just love catchy melodies.

A big piece of my heart is definitely in Michigan and will always be in Michigan. Growing up there is definitely a big part of who I am as a person.

I grew up with a big backyard that led to the sand dunes of Lake Michigan.

If you've never been to Michigan, everyone thinks it's completely rural. It's a destination state. You don't really drive through; you're going there for a reason.