I'm just like my country. I'm young, scrappy and hungry.

I got to fall in love. I got to win a war. I got to write words that inspired a nation.

I was one of several songwriters I think interviewed [for Moana]. I'm a huge fan of Disney animated movies, and I've always wanted to write an animated score since I was a little kid.

I'm the music guy, I get to wear the music hat, but being able to be that guy in the room is a thrill at this level and caliber.

The people you're turning to for advice are all people making Disney movies, so we had these amazing meetings where you'd see John Lasseter, and then next to him is Jen Lee, the director of Frozen. Next to her is Pete Docter, who's working on Inside Out.

I'm just like my country, I'm young, scrappy and hungry, and I'm not throwing away my shot.

It was a real dream come true just to get the job [in Moana], and yeah, and we sort of got right to work.