Mikey Wax On His New Music, 'Pretty Little Liars,' Touring

I just want to have my mind clear and focus on the lyrics as much as possible, so that I can really get into it and mean what I'm saying. So I just want to be clear of everything and just as devoted to the song as possible.

It's an amazing connection. I got the idea when I went to go see a magician. He was a really famous magician but he was doing like intimate, close magic tricks and when you see someone like that, you just have that connection with the person and to their art and to their form more so than if you're way up in the bleachers somewhere. So I think there's something really special about playing really up-close and personal to your fans. So yeah, I'm going to continue to do it. That's how I got my start. Wherever my career goes, I'll keep doing house concerts once in a while.

This is my first record that's out on a label. So, as an independent artist for four years, having placements like that is an amazing way to reach your fans and listeners and make a little bit of money and keep going.

It was about my hockey team. We were a bad team. We sucked. I wrote songs about how we should be better.

I usually ended up writing music when dates didn't go great. No, I don't know, music was always a result of what was happening. I never really used it in that respect. I probably should have. I probably would've had a better high school experience. I was never, you know, a 'cool kid.' And I never felt like showing off. I still don't.

Yeah, for sure. I mean, I think it's a lot of personal, and then a lot of putting yourself in other people's shoes. Or, like, being inspired by certain things and holding the eye of the artist there even if it's not so personal or it's not you putting yourself in that situation. Because, I think deep down, we all connect on some level. That doesn't have to be something that you experienced to be something that you can write about.

There is. I used to be like this yearning, heartfelt, hopeful, while at the same time a little hopeless, kind of feeling. But I don't know anymore, as I've made new albums...I think my message has kind of changed to a more joys, more hopeful feeling, like, 'it's great to be alive.'

It's the idea that I'll be playing for new people every night. And it's amazing to hit the open road. It's like you have the same routine every day, but you're in a different spot and different city. I like the idea that you're always playing for new faces. And you're doing it every night, so you can keep perfecting what you're doing in a short turn of time when you're on the road, as opposed to a one show here, one show there kind of thing. When we get a good set that's working, we kind of keep it the same and just perfect it. I feel like that's where we're at now. We're about as close to perfect as I think you can be. And once we're bored, we'll change it up.

It's pretty much like anything in life. If you want to go on a diet, you have to eat well and you have to exercise. If you want to be in a good position, you have to practice hard and you have to sing every day. You have to write songs consistently, you have to do all the things that are obvious, but just require time.

Yeah, I started writing a couple EDM songs. When I started out writing instrumental music, that's more cinematic and for movies, so I think doing scores one day [is something I want to do].

I guess I'd want to pick the brain of John Mayer, because he's like a northeast guy and I think I obviously fall into a similar genre. I just think he'd be a good guy to learn from.

"God Only Knows" – Beach Boys

Jennifer Aniston

A fan wanted me to sign her shoe.

I read the 'New York Times.' That's what I do before bed.

We have Sirius XM radio, so we just dial through, listen to comedy, Howard Stern, music channels.

I'm really passionate about making good guacamole: a lot of avocado and a little tomato.