Almost a year ago, HuffPost Teen caught up with Austin Mahone about his first album, touring with Taylor Swift and why he's not the next Justin Bieber. As it turns out, the "Banga Banga" singer has been up to a lot since then.
Last week, I chatted with Austin about an opportunity for a Mahomie to win a private concert with Austin for their high school, his upcoming EP, "The Secret," and the Instagrammer's favorite accounts to follow. Read on to find out.
What's your advice for teenagers who want to break into the music business?
I would say keep working hard no matter what happens. Be patient and keep your family and your friends really close.
If you could see any artist in concert, or maybe see someone you've already seen again, who would it be?
I've always wanted to see Drake in concert.
What's your favorite concert you've ever seen?
Actually, the only concert I've been to was Kenny Chesney.
What inspired your upcoming EP's title, "The Secret?"
The title came from me working on this project for really two years, and nobody knew when it was going to come out.
That seems to be a trend, lately, especially with Beyoncé's big album drop. Artists are at the liberty to have a lot of freedom with digital recordings, so you can just release an album on iTunes, avoid the red tape of selling your music at stores and all your fans can still purchase it.
Exactly.
With your hectic schedule, how do you balance your career with things like family and relationships?
It's definitely difficult. My best friends live with me, and I get to see them every day, so we get to hang out and have fun and chill. Relationships are definitely difficult as well, but you just have to make things work and make it happen.
It's been awhile since you posted a cover on YouTube. If you were to cover a song that is popular today, what song would you choose?
A popular song today?
Or, top three. Top three would work.
I like that song called "I'm Only Human" [by Christina Perri] and maybe "The Man" [by Aloe Blacc]. I don't know -- there are a lot of good songs out right now. I'll just stick with those two.
After being on tour with Taylor Swift, what's one thing that surprised you about her?
That she's super, super nice and humble. Even off-stage.
Since making it big, what's the best piece of advice you've been given?
People have told me to be respectful and be cool to the people on your way up to fame and success, because if you ever fall off and go down, you'll have people to help you back up.
You have nearly 4 million followers on Instagram, so I wanted to ask: What are three of your favorite Instagram accounts and why?
There's this fan account and they always post the coolest pictures of me, so I follow them. I love following Rihanna. I love her and love to see what she's up to. I also follow a shoe account, because I like to keep up with the latest trends.
Can you tell us a little about the sweepstakes going on?
I'm partnering with Pop-Tarts to give fans another crazy good summer. This year, there's gonna be more concerts and a super lucky Mahomie will win a concert from me at their high school.
What is your favorite thing about the chance to perform a concert for one of your fans?
My favorite thing about performing a private concert for one of my fans is that it's going to be really intimate. I'll get to have that one-on-one kind of feel.
We have a few minutes left, so I wanted to ask you to finish these sentences before we go:
The last thing I ate was... pancakes.
The weirdest place I've written a song is... my bathroom.
The one song I can't get out of my head is... "Human Nature."
I never leave the house without... my basketball.
My celeb crush is... Rihanna.
The craziest rumor I've ever heard about myself was... my favorite sport is surfing.
For more information on how you can enter for a chance to win a private concert at your high school with Austin Mahone, go here.
