I toured for about 2 1/2 years on twentythree and then I took about a year off. I really just spent some good quality time by myself at my house, cooking, watching movies, hanging with my friends, and family. I just really needed a chance to get away from the music for a minute and decompress.

You kind of gotta step back from your dreams and your passions once in a while, and kind of do something else for a minute so that you can come back to it with a fresh outlook, and be real inspired by something else, so you can give something back to your dreams and your passions.

I hope to always be able to relate to my fans and be in the moment with the world and the community. I think as you gain popularity it's easy to loose touch and become disconnected.

For me surfing is just something that I love to do. I grew up surfing, is sort of like a family requirement. I can't imagine my life without it. But I am not defined by it, nor is my music. They are very separate.

Over the years I have realized that the mistakes and forgetfulness is what makes live shows more endearing.

Writing music obviously comes from being inspired by things, and big changes in your life, and relationships and growing older and being more independent.

I think people in general that don't surf, have a fascination with it. Its definitely much more than a sport or activity, its a way of life. There is a culture that surrounds it and I think people are intrigued by that.