Cody Simpson has returned to music - and he’s doing it with a Montblanc pen in hand. A songwriter first and foremost, the Australian artist has been announced as the new Montblanc Mark Maker. With the release of his new singles Baby Blue and When It Comes To Loving You hinting at a forthcoming album (we can only hope), we exclusively caught up with Cody at the opening of Montblanc’s George Street flagship boutique.

Congratulations on your recent singles. We love them, especially obsessed with When It Comes to Loving You. There’s a sense of freedom and joy in these records. How did you feel writing them and stepping back into the world of music?

The experience making these new records has been more enjoyable than perhaps I’ve ever experienced making music. Throughout my years being an athlete I felt increasingly like a bowstring being pulled further and further back, and was filled with more and more excitement to be creative again. So once I got back in the studio it just came pouring out, and truly felt like second nature again immediately. I experimented a lot over the past year with sounds and sonics figuring out exactly how I wanted to make my return, and one day I decided to go in and simply have the most fun ever, letting go of everything. That’s the day Baby Blue was born! I feel like a kid again making music and constantly feel like I’m in a state of play, and I just thought if I could go in and try to capture or bottle that joy, then others would feel it too.

What was inspiring you while you were writing the music?

I’ve long wanted to create something that felt like the coming of spring, and I wanted to make something that could help others feel like life was being renewed, and that everything was going to be okay. I wanted to capture that feeling of new life, new love, and new opportunity. Like the sun had finally come out again after a long and cloudy year.

Was environment an important part of your writing process? Is there somewhere that is more conducive to your creativity that you’ve discovered?

I really enjoy being back in Los Angeles as it’s the place I learnt my craft. There’s a lot of energy here and a lot of other extremely interesting and creative people. I enjoy being around that buzz and that excitement, it lifts me up and inspires me to do good work. I like being around the history of pop and rock music, where I live in Laurel Canyon has a lot of music history and I feel like I can tap into that source by being near it. I also felt like I was reconnecting with a lot of great childhood memories and feeling extremely happy again! Happiness and inner peace is extremely conducive to creativity for me!

You’re obviously a fan of the brand, do you have any favourite products?

As a writer I’ve long been a fan of the beautiful pens and writing instruments Montblanc offers. My mum bought me a Montblanc Meisterstück for my birthday when I was younger and in the process of writing my poetry book. Last year I bought myself a Meisterstück over-shoulder bag as a gift to myself when I booked the Guys & Dolls show on Sydney Harbour to keep all of my scripts in for rehearsal. I saw it in the airport in the Switzerland and probably went into the 3 different Montblanc stores to see it before I eventually bought it back in Australia. I’ve cherished it and used it very often since.

People might think a lot of musicians or writers turn to their notes app nowadays, but from what we’ve learnt from the musicians we speak to, everyone still prefers to put pen to paper. What do you love about your writing process? Are you usually writing lyrics before writing melodies and instrumentals?

I occasionally use my notes app if an idea strikes me on the go and I don’t have access to pen and paper. However I find I prefer pen to paper as it slows down my thought process just enough to turn somewhat meditative. It cools the often overstimulation that can come from constantly being on your phone, and I find it often allows ideas to flow with more ease. My writing process is often quite stream of consciousness, so I love when I slip into that stream. Lyrics vs melodies often vary for me in what comes first. I’ll occasionally write poetry or lyrical verse that I’ll later put melody and music to. Other times I’ll hum my melodies to the music I’m writing and allow the lyrics to materialise through the cadences I’m humming. My gibberish occasionally informs my lyrics hah!

Which songwriters inspire you? Do you have any north stars?

I’m inspired by everyone from the traditional pop music songwriters from the 40s like Cole Porter & George Gershwin, through to the singer/songwriters, rockstars and poets of the 60s and 70s like Nick Drake or Jim Morrison. I often prefer imagery over specifics and love writing for others to be able project their lives, thoughts and feelings onto.

Are there any rising artists you’ve been listening to?

I love Naomi Scott’s album F.I.G. I’m listening to a lot of Mk.gee and Nami. I also love my producer and close collaborator Harrison Borts’ artist project.

Do you have any writing superstitions?

None. I just write. I believe creativity and inspiration exist but they have to find you working.

What have you learnt about yourself through trusting and following your intuition during this new chapter?

I’ve learnt that the gut is usually correct, trust it. Take others' thoughts and opinions as guidance but ultimately follow the feeling. It doesn’t lead you astray.

What’s next?

Music music music. I cannot wait to release all the material I have in the vault that I’m very proud of. And I cannot wait to start playing live and bringing joy to people through live music.

Photographs by Alex Wall.

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