My first attempt at real music was when I was 13. My first signed band was when I was 21; that failed. I got another deal at 26; that failed, and then I was broke.

More than anything, I’m excited to have the artistic freedom and opportunity to make a sophomore record. Everybody dreads the sophomore slump, whereas I am embracing it and can’t wait to either go down in flames, or take it to another level. It’s not going to be in the middle – it’ll be one way or the other. That’s how it has to be.

There's a bunch of songs that I call B-sides on the record that you could argue could maybe have some potential commercial success with another artist, but for me, they just felt really whack.

Let's say I'm at a party and I don't like the feeling I'm getting, I'll just leave. Why do I have to be there?

I ran away for a couple years just to prove I've hever been free.

You don't put out music unless you have a sense that people will maybe like what you're doing or you're standing for something artistically.

I've had the same core group of friends that I've always had. We're surfing, so that definitely keeps you grounded.