That's how "Part the Waves" came out. I knew it didn't sound like anything on the radio. So now, it's playing on the radio. Now, it does sound like something that would be on the radio. I didn't think "Part the Waves" would be one of the radio singles because it's not my job to think that way.
I always say I'm just going to make a record. There are other people that are experts in saying "Hey, let's go with this one." That's my contribution and I think every artist can ensure their contribution by being who you are. Be you. It's not set up that everybody in the world will like your music. Our job is to be who we are so we can be a part of the variety.
As you promoted your fifth album, Exist, you noted that you have finally gotten to a point in your life where you learned to "exist." What was the defining moment where you said, "Forget what I thought I knew. This is the path for me to take?"
What's pivotal for me is that I started to notice that I wasn't focused on the music when I first started out. I was so happy. I was just doing what I want to do. This is my thing, my purpose. All of a sudden, it wasn't about the focus of the music anymore. The focus was the mortgage, car note, the household, dealing with people that love you, were needy of you or trying to take advantage of you. It was all this madness. My aunt said to me, "Tony, I just don't know how you do it. There is so much stuff that you have to deal with. You need to simplify your life." It resonated with me because I've always liked the idea of living simple. I've never been excessive with anything. I never had three or four cars or walking around with a $50,000 watch – none of that stuff. It didn't appeal to me like that. It got to a point where it was so much. I was giving out so much. At one point, I wasn't even thinking of myself. It definitely got crazy. I heard my aunt in my ears, "Simplify your life. Simplify your life."
So I did put my life on that path: just simplified things and cut away the things that were not necessary so I could then be in a position to focus on simple things. The simple things were always the things that brought me peace. That was a couple of years ago. I was able to focus on the music and make a great record.
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