I've always found it pretty difficult to write a happy song.

Never let your fear decide your fate.

I don't know that I can say what exactly love means to me because it would be hard to put that into perspective.

I just find that I enjoy the music that feels like there's a journey to the top of this mountain, then you're at the top of the mountain finally with this magical feeling, and you're stoked because you made it, and you're up there, but there's a little bit of sadness to think of all that you lost along the way to get there. I guess I relate and enjoy the path and the struggle very much. Maybe it's the competitive spirit in me.

In fact, on a side note, after the success of the first record, I got asked to write for some pop artists, as everybody does, and I did a couple songs for some of these massive stars and the review that I got back was, "This artist likes the song but it's too POP-y for them." I was like, "What do you mean, I thought I was writing for a pop star."

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