The Canadian singer talks about why it's good to steal from other artists, the problem with the record industry – and what it's like to be badmouthed by Morrissey
*What first drew you to music?*
Wonderful melodies – of Christmas music especially. I was three or four, and my mother would have a Bing Crosby record playing through the house. It was my introduction to jazz, harmonies, melodies, musicianship and emotion.
*What was your big breakthrough?*
Coming to London for my first showcase gig. One of the record company folks came to me with tears in her eyes and told me I had Parkinson's. I thought this meant I was going to die – until she explained I'd been booked on Michael Parkinson's show.
*Who or what have you sacrificed for your art?*
A life with family: watching my nieces and nephews grow up; relationships; friendships. But I'm with Malcolm Gladwell, who says that to be successful at something, you need to put in at least 10,000 hours of work at it. I've put in those hours, and I'd do it all again.
*Why are you so drawn to music from the past?*
Because it's good. There are songs on my new record written in the 1900s, and we can still relate to them. I have to wonder whether much of today's pop music will be remembered.
*Is there a downside to fame?*
The fame is the downside. I can't think of many positive things about it – except that when I go to parties, I don't have to stand there like a lemon. I'm just lucky I didn't get famous until I was 30. If I'd got famous at 17, I'd have been a right prick.
*Which artists do you most admire?*
Louis Armstrong, for his phrasing; Elvis Presley, for his versatility; Michael Jackson, for the moonwalk; and Harry Connick Jr, for being an amazing pianist, arranger, producer and actor. I called him once and told him I knew every song, every note. He said, "What? I'm just New Orleans trailer-trash."
*What's the greatest threat to the music business today?*
Record companies worrying more about market share than developing artists. I hear there was a time when if your first record didn't sell 8m copies, you were still given a chance to grow as a songwriter. Now, they find something that works, then find as much like that as possible, throw it on the wall and hope the shit sticks.
*What work of art would you most like to own?*
I actually own works of art I've always wanted to own – I collect photographs by the late William Claxton. I met him in LA; later, he agreed to shoot the cover for my album Call Me Irresponsible for free. I was so fat at the time, and he made me look as good as I possibly could. The second I got my first big royalty cheque, I bought his infamous shot of Chet Baker.
*What advice would you give a singer?*
Steal from as many people as possible. Rip off one person and you're a thief – but if you steal from everyone, you can tell people it's research.
*What's the worst thing anyone ever said about you?*
Morrissey said once, "Fire in the belly is essential, otherwise you become like Michael Bublé – famous and meaningless". I just thought, "I wish I could be as successful as Morrissey."
*In short*
*Born*: Burnaby, Canada, 1975.
*Career*: Has won three Grammy awards for his eight chart-topping albums. The latest, To Be Loved, is out on 15 April on Reprise Records.
*High point*: "My first Juno award. A lot of people have never even heard of the Junos – but for a Canadian kid, that was the biggest deal."
*Low point:* "The early years of fame. I allowed my ego to get the best of me." Reported by guardian.co.uk 9 hours ago.
*What first drew you to music?*
Wonderful melodies – of Christmas music especially. I was three or four, and my mother would have a Bing Crosby record playing through the house. It was my introduction to jazz, harmonies, melodies, musicianship and emotion.
*What was your big breakthrough?*
Coming to London for my first showcase gig. One of the record company folks came to me with tears in her eyes and told me I had Parkinson's. I thought this meant I was going to die – until she explained I'd been booked on Michael Parkinson's show.
*Who or what have you sacrificed for your art?*
A life with family: watching my nieces and nephews grow up; relationships; friendships. But I'm with Malcolm Gladwell, who says that to be successful at something, you need to put in at least 10,000 hours of work at it. I've put in those hours, and I'd do it all again.
*Why are you so drawn to music from the past?*
Because it's good. There are songs on my new record written in the 1900s, and we can still relate to them. I have to wonder whether much of today's pop music will be remembered.
*Is there a downside to fame?*
The fame is the downside. I can't think of many positive things about it – except that when I go to parties, I don't have to stand there like a lemon. I'm just lucky I didn't get famous until I was 30. If I'd got famous at 17, I'd have been a right prick.
*Which artists do you most admire?*
Louis Armstrong, for his phrasing; Elvis Presley, for his versatility; Michael Jackson, for the moonwalk; and Harry Connick Jr, for being an amazing pianist, arranger, producer and actor. I called him once and told him I knew every song, every note. He said, "What? I'm just New Orleans trailer-trash."
*What's the greatest threat to the music business today?*
Record companies worrying more about market share than developing artists. I hear there was a time when if your first record didn't sell 8m copies, you were still given a chance to grow as a songwriter. Now, they find something that works, then find as much like that as possible, throw it on the wall and hope the shit sticks.
*What work of art would you most like to own?*
I actually own works of art I've always wanted to own – I collect photographs by the late William Claxton. I met him in LA; later, he agreed to shoot the cover for my album Call Me Irresponsible for free. I was so fat at the time, and he made me look as good as I possibly could. The second I got my first big royalty cheque, I bought his infamous shot of Chet Baker.
*What advice would you give a singer?*
Steal from as many people as possible. Rip off one person and you're a thief – but if you steal from everyone, you can tell people it's research.
*What's the worst thing anyone ever said about you?*
Morrissey said once, "Fire in the belly is essential, otherwise you become like Michael Bublé – famous and meaningless". I just thought, "I wish I could be as successful as Morrissey."
*In short*
*Born*: Burnaby, Canada, 1975.
*Career*: Has won three Grammy awards for his eight chart-topping albums. The latest, To Be Loved, is out on 15 April on Reprise Records.
*High point*: "My first Juno award. A lot of people have never even heard of the Junos – but for a Canadian kid, that was the biggest deal."
*Low point:* "The early years of fame. I allowed my ego to get the best of me." Reported by guardian.co.uk 9 hours ago.