10 Questions with ... Shawn Mendes

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/ShawnMendesOfficial
Twitter: @shawnmendes
Instagram: @shawnmendes
YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/qzMendShawqz

Singer and songwriter Shawn Mendes' debut album, "Handwritten" debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200 with first-week sales of 119,000 copies. He was the youngest artist to debut in the Top 25 with on the Billboard Hot 100 at just 15 years old. His single "Stitches" was a Top 10 hit in the US and Canada, and #1 in the UK. His second album, "Illuminate" produced a Top 10 single at Top 40 and Adult Top 40 with the track "Treat You Better."

1. Can you remember the moment that you wanted to be a musician?

I can't remember the exact moment since it all happened so fast. But I just remember as a kid being obsessed with YouTube covers and cover artists. And I'd always try to sing along to songs and one day gave it a shot. I posted a cover, and somewhat sucked at the time but I kept posting and posting and getting better and better until eventually it all just took off.

2. I understand you are very involved with the songwriting process. Where do you get the inspiration for your songs?

Yeah, I write my music with a few co-writers. Usually we start with a guitar riff or melody we think sounds great, and just build something from there. Sometimes the inspiration for the songs comes from traveling or sometimes just other people's stories or friend's experiences and things.

3. Tell us about how you were discovered on VINE?

I had been posting YouTube covers for a little while but they never took off. Then when Vine came out I decided to post a cover of Justin Bieber's song, "As Long As You Love Me"... and all of a sudden I had 10,000 followers overnight, and kept posting, and more and more followers just kept coming. And my following spread across YouTube, Twitter, and eventually Andrew, my manager, found it and reached out. He flew me out to NY to meet with labels and the rest was history.

4. Since starting this crazy rollercoaster ride, are you able to go home to Canada and just be yourself?

I do get to go home and be myself with my friends and family and everyone there is really great about it.

5. Do people recognize you like crazy when you're out in public?

Definitely get recognized more in public though Ha! Ha! It's hard to go anywhere without being stopped.

6. You stay very connected to your supporters on social media. Why do you think that is so important and where do you find the time for it?

I've really just grown up with it. So it's like second nature to me. Staying connected can be hard at times with how busy things get, but people ask how I do it and its really just what I've grown up with and what I do naturally.

7. What bands have consistently inspired you? Who are some of your all-time favorite musicians?

I'm a huge fan of Ed Sheeran of course. Bruno Mars and Justin Timberlake are both also huge inspirations and all-time favorites. Eminem and John Mayer too.

8. You've seen quite a bit of success over the past couple years including Taylor Swift's 1989 tour. Have you stopped to really comprehend that this is all happening to you?

I really can't even comprehend it all. It's all happened so fast that sometimes it's hard to just stop and take it in. But whenever I do it's so surreal. I still am just a normal kid... and I go home to hang with my same friends. It's crazy.

9. What's a favorite memory or something quirky that's taken place with you (in-studio, onstage, or elsewhere)?

I'd say playing Madison Square Garden was one of the craziest things. It was just like "Wow ... I'm really here"

10. Is there anything in particular that you'd like people to take away from listening to your music?

I just hope they can enjoy it and connect to it!

* Special thanks to Leah Adams-Brungardt who conducted this interview.