So why don't we explain why we're in the Bronx at the new york botanical Garden today, we're answering 73 questions.

Yes we are.

And first question, where is your favorite place to perform in new york?

I like the Apollo Theater in Holland.

That's a great theater.

And what does new york do better than any city?

Not just in the USa, but the entire world trade of main kevin Kane.

And when you're traveling and far away from home, what do you miss about new Zealand literally every single thing, but mostly the beaches and parks and the food.

I can imagine.

Speaking of home, I heard you have a favorite song that your dad used to sing as a lullaby when you were a kid, What song is that Moon Shadow by Cat stevens, That's a good one.

What was the job you wanted to do when you were five years old?

I loved the far Side by Gary Larson and I wanted to be a cartoonist, which is crazy because I'm not funny for some reason, I'm having a hard time believing that.

So what was the first song you love to sing The Lion Sleeps tonight?

And did you always know that you wanted to be a solo artist?

I did.

What surprised you the most about pop stardom?

That's right.

When you can afford to buy anything you want?

You get given everything for free.

It doesn't make any sense.

Don't give us free stuff.

Sounds pretty good.

This is so beautiful.

It's gorgeous here.

I know.

So when did you realize that Royals was going to be such a big hit?

The first weekend we put it out?

I went on the Soundcloud and all these people who I didn't know we're listening to it.

I think I realized this is bigger than just me and my friends.

It was a lot bigger than just you and your friends.

And what was it like the first time that you heard it on the radio?

Well, I was in my parents living room, my sister had called the radio station to request it and I felt very proud, but very shy.

You have a lot to do.

You have a lot to be proud of.

And what emotion is central to pure heroin?

T next?

How about melodrama ecstasy?

And you went from writing about we on your first album to Eye on your second?

Why was that change so important to you?

The first step in was so yes, sort of communal.

It was about me and my peers.

The second one was really just about my experience.

What's your favorite song to perform from melodrama?

Green light.

And what sample on the album still makes you smile?

Um there's a tiger's roar that we heard and sober, but I also love paul Simon saying, what is this tape?

This is my favorite tape?

So Lord you have synesthesia?

Yeah.

So what color is pure heroin?

Green?

What color is melodrama violet.

What color is solar power Gold?

Let's keep moving.

It's a beautiful day.

We got so much to see what is one word you would use to describe the new record reverent.

And what is one word you use to describe making the record?

So cool.

It's so, I know it's gorgeous zany.

A city, the word I would use to describe making it come and what awesome detail is that they're cicadas sounds on the single.

We're gonna hear a lot of cicadas throughout the whole record.

You actually will, I started recording caters a couple of years ago in New Zealand.

They really sound like a new Zealand summer to me.

Um, but I didn't know about brood X at the time.

So I'm ahead of the trend.

So what will the video?

So what would the videos for solar power add to the whole record?

They helped to build the universe.

And speaking of videos, I struggled a bit on google maps, but there any hints on where we can find that secret beach that you filmed on?

I thought I thought I'd try.

All right.

So you chose the colina strata set for your solar power video.

Why did you pick that?

I thought it was youthful but cool and timeless and I knew I wanted to wear yellow.

I mean, I think a lot of people wanted to wear yellow because it's sold out after the video was premiered.

I heard about that.

Crazy.

And what do you hope those people do with their summers make out Lord has spoken?

How has your style changed since pure heroin dropped?

Um I would say we're less black, although I am wearing black today.

Can you describe your style?

Can you describe your style today in three words?

Mhm.

Um Meticulous construction sandals, Okay, that's a unique.

And what item of clothing do you always have on hand?

Sandals?

And what singer living or dead has the best style?

David Bowie, That's a good answer.

Now, what item of clothing would you say makes you feel most confident when you're taking the stage pants?

What about in real life suits?

What was the first song that made you cry?

Perfect Day by Lou Reed?

I never felt anything like that before.

Every time I think of that song, I think of drinking sangria in the park and who is the first musician you met that left you totally starstruck.

Honestly, taylor, no surprise.

And what album have you listened to the most this year?

I've spent a lot of time with Abbey Road.

It's a good one.

It's a really happy Rhodes, A really, really good one.

And what is the album that you understand on a different level now vs when you were just 15 years old?

I thought about this and I feel like I had a pretty good Handle on everything I liked when I was 15, but okay, think about it.

Okay, and Graceland was a major influence on melodrama.

Right.

Yeah.

What was your favorite song off of that album?

Yeah, I mean, Graceland or homeless people were surprised that Don Henley also was an inspiration for you, who is an artist reference on solar power.

That might surprise them.

Natalie imbruglia.

Yeah, interesting.

And what is the best concert you've ever been to?

Mhm.

I want to say Arcade fire at Coachella, I was 17 and I was in the crowd and I'd never seen anything like it was incredible.

Their tremendous performers, very good.

And what is the song that you wish you'd written?

Graceland, who's an artist that you're dying to collaborate with?

Yeah, I kind of want to talk to Harry styles.

I do too.

And what is the best album cover of all time?

Yeah, all things must pass.

What's the most important thing that you've learned about producing your own music to always trust my instincts because they always right now.

Speaking of producers, what's the best advice that you've ever gotten from Jack Antonoff?

Once?

He said to me, don't let me ruin your life more than I already have.

That is valuable is enough.

And what's the one rule of pop music that you never ever break?

I don't know if there's any that I would never break.

But kind of a personal rule is if I'm not feeling that special alchemy when I write a part, it's got to go, even if it's right, on paper?

It's got to go, Right, Right.

And what do you think your fans would see as the most surprising thing that you bring with you when you're on tour, expensive sheets and when were you most vulnerable on stage?

Oh my God, I had this really bad chest infection on tour in europe once and uh the was in Oslo, the Norwegian royal family were there and I couldn't breathe and I started to panic, I just felt so kind of broken and raw.

It was really tough.

Yeah, but you got through it, I got through.

So yeah, you are and defections gone, right, and how do you get ready for a big or important performance?

I light a candle and I like to try and certain intention.

Think about what I want to get out of the show.

Right, Right.

And what song are you most excited to dance to off of your new record, California?

I can't wait to hear that.

As well as every other song on the album.

Thank you.

What did you learn about pure heroin while touring?

That I had made an album that it was sort of tricky to dance to And what about melodrama that I had made an album that it was really easy to done.

So good observation.

Now, recently I heard that you stopped you decided to stop releasing music on cd?

Yes, why was that something that was important to you?

Because everything that I make physically, I want it to be, Something that I would have in my house and I don't have any cds in my house.

That makes sense.

And what is something that you do to connect with nature every day?

I go for a big walk.

I pretty much to this, but I don't look like this and it's not always this pretty.

I find it so cool that you took a trip to Antarctica.

What was the most important thing that you learn on that trip?

It's honestly kind of hard to put into words.

But I feel like I got more of an understanding of the work that the scientists are doing.

They're they're not trying to prove climate change.

They're just checking out the science, taking the measurements, observing and telling us what's up and also just the raw power of nature.

And I well it seems absolutely beautiful.

And what is a cause that you're most passionate about today?

Um things that affect new Zealanders I think about child poverty, bettering the systems that protect Maori and our climate legislation.

Yeah.

It's really cool.

This is such a dope flower absolutely divine.

I don't know, a flower that is.

But who is your favorite living artist, limit your own watch and what's your favorite piece of art in your home?

My k don't achieve painting.

Alright.

And your mother is a writer, right?

How would you say that this impacted you?

And what did this teach you about writing?

Just that?

It's a practice.

It's something you have to do over and over to keep being in touch with.

Now.

Speaking of your mom, I heard that she holds onto all your memorabilia from your tours.

Is that true?

Literally everything.

It's all in our garage now.

Do you know what you're gonna do with all of it one day or I have no idea.

Good luck.

Now.

Which front of yours makes you laugh the most my friend Francisco and which friend would make the best fishing partner?

My dad.

Now why would you say it's important for you to hibernate in between creating records?

Well, I just have to go and live my life so that I have stuff to write about.

So it's just sort of nick ching and taking time.

And what's your favorite thing to do while you're hibernating?

Um I like to cook and I like to be very available for my friends and family because I missed a lot of birthdays when I'm working.

That is a very, very good answer.

Gotta do it.

Now.

You describe your work as being a conversation with yourself?

Are you ever surprised when it resonates with so many other people constantly?

It's insane.

Yeah, it means a lot to them.

And what do you hope stays the same in your work as you grow as an artist that it's still just made trying to one up myself, Maybe sirens new york city.

Yeah.

Mrs sirens like grand theft auto over here.

All right.

I'll see it.

Or window seat, window new york or Los Angeles, new york, new Zealand summer or american summer.

New Zealand restaurant or room service restaurant Fleetwood Mac.

With or without Peter green.

Um Great question.

I'm gonna say without, but with us also incredible.

I'm hoping for a reunion tour and last question question number 73 Sunrise or sunset?

Sunset.

And that's a wrap.

Can I ask you a question before we go?

Absolutely.

Um This is kind of a little bit, but I always wondered what the person doing this was seeing when they're doing this.

Can we show them what I'm seeing?

Is that okay?

Yeah, I think it's okay, fine.

But how about we keep this thing a secret between you and me?