Pop singer/songwriter Cody Simpson may only be 19 years old but his wisdom, musical prowess and dedication to environmental causes belies his age. A native Australian from Gold Coast, Simpson first received recognition at age 11 with acoustic pop covers posted on YouTube. Over the ensuing years, he’s discovered a love of blues, jazz and the songwriting process. His 2014 song “Surfboard” fused crunchy blues-rock riffs and chord progressions with modern dance and electronic production. “Flower,” released in 2015 finds him embracing the John Mayer/Jack Johnson school of mellow acoustic songwriter fare melded with tasty blues fills.
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Simpson is a mentor for the Guitar Center Singer/Songwriter 6 contest, along with producer and judge RedOne (Lady Gaga, Enrique Iglesias, Usher and more). Both Simpson and RedOne are definitely two music makers who can spot unique talent. We caught up with Simpson to discuss artistic growth, life philosophies and that special spark that gets you noticed.
What are you looking for in the artist submissions in the Guitar Center Singer/Songwriter 6 contest?
Nowadays, as I’ve grown, I’m interested in individuality. I’ve never been a fan of whoever was the greatest singer or guitar player. For me it’s the individuality of the singer or the song, rather than who is technically the best. It’s more about who is truest to themselves. That’s also something I’ve been trying to work on for myself lately.
Who are your main songwriting influences?
Well, I’ve been laying low and just working on my craft this past year. It’s been nice doing a lot of absorbing of influence and inspiration. I started a band, a trio, and we’re working on an album. It’s been nice to take time, especially since I’m only 19, and take in a bunch of different influences. Musicians inspire me, but I also look to poets, painters and writers. Musically it’s the enlightening and almost philosophical writers like Bob Marley, Peter Tosh and Paul Simon, all the way to the Doors and even Sublime and groups like that. Music is definitely metaphysical as well as something that’s just heard. It can be felt and work wonders.
Are there any of your songs that you can pinpoint as a breakthrough in your evolution as a songwriter?
A lot of the music I’m working on now feels the most true to where I am now and where I’m headed. Taking time off and laying low has helped me expand personally, musically and spiritually. The musicians I’m playing with now in my new band Coast House just recorded an 11-minute album closer about transcendence and enlightenment. It’s called Zuvuya and it’s based on a Mayan term for the higher spirit. It features some of my poetry about the state of the earth, and a great African choir singing. I’ve been inspired recently by environment issues and concerns that are relevant today. I tried to incorporate that into the music and hopefully you’ll hear that soon. It’s been a large step for me in my artistic endeavors. Obviously I have some shorter songs on the record too (laughs) but this one has been a stand out piece in the last few weeks.
You’re also dedicated to environmental causes beyond just writing about it.
Yes. I just recently gave a speech at the United Nations on ocean preservation and climate change. I also work with the Surf Rider Foundation. I just try to do my part when I can.
The contest winner gets to co-write with you. How will you approach the session? Will you let them dictate how the session goes?
Yes definitely. I want to help them expand on their ideas. I like co-writing with friends and other people. It’s not about ‘do it this way’ but ‘how would you like to do this?’ and let me try and expand on the ideas.
The prize package is pretty sweet- a live performance on Jimmy Kimmel, instruments, cash and working with top talent. It’s something every budding singer/songwriter working in their home recording studio dreams about.
Yes it is! I had a chance to work with RedOne over the last couple of months. He’s a brilliant producer who I hold in high reverence in terms of his ear for popular music. So that’s a pretty large opportunity, along with the cash, performing on television and gear.
What was your first big break in music, when you knew something was happening?
I’ve had a couple of little moments here and there. You have these moments when you’re on stage and you realize people are reacting positively to what you’re saying and doing. Honestly it’s never-ending. Getting to that specific point of success is really an illusion. For me it’s been a gradual growth. Whenever I get to a place that I wanted to be and opened that door, there would be ten other closed doors that I had to open. But that’s what keeps life exciting- reaching one point and getting to the next. I’ve been doing that since I came from Australia to the United States. Now, having gotten to the point I’m at, I see a whole other life ahead. I’m still a teenager so it’s been pretty wild. It’s a process about breaking down your barriers and facing the next one.
I often see that in watching some aspiring musicians perform. There’s a passion that’s real.
A lot of my favorite singers aren’t technically the best. So I’ve stopped worrying about the technical and look to the spiritual side and being as passionate as you can. People pay to see someone believe in themselves as opposed to just doing something really well.
Would you say that age matters in judging this contest?
No, definitely not. I don’t think age matters in any aspect of life. I’m looking forward to seeing entries of all ages and styles.
What US cities have you visited and enjoyed the local music scene?
Lately I’ve been all about the blues. Having just put together a trio, we’ll break out into a blues and play some lead guitar jams. So I love going to places with a good blues scene, especially down south. My drummer Adrian has been getting me into jazz lately. We saw Chick Corea here in LA and John Mayer got up and jammed. Little things like that break open your head about musical forms and how things can be done. Instead of getting stuck in these 3-minute formats where you try to make it work and it often doesn’t.
Hopefully you can convey your love of that classic music to your fans.
Yeah that’s the goal. It’s what I’ve been working towards with this new album- how to translate that and modernize it a bit. These classic styles are the core of most songs you hear today. People crave that rawness in music.
I’m sure there’s a lot of that rawness in this singer/songwriter contest.
Yeah! I’m looking forward to listening to them and meeting the winner!
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The deadline to enter the Guitar Center Singer/Songwriter 6 Contest is November 2. Enter here.
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