I came to California and got signed at a young age. And it’s not like you see in the movies, where you start rubbing shoulders with Timbaland and Pharrell, and you become a giant pop star.
I don’t think anyone ever plans to change line-ups, but it’s something that comes with being in bands. I was in a band once and there were always problems – members come and go – and some of the world’s biggest bands have changed line-ups loads!
I love that I can talk to my fans through Twitter, to cut out the middle man. Because I’ve done interviews where my words have gotten twisted, so it’s nice to be able to have things coming straight from me.
My father moved to Hawaii from Brooklyn and my mother came there as a child from the Philippines. They met at a show where my dad was playing percussion. My mom was a hula dancer.
Songwriters, you have to work – you have to wait for residuals. You have to pray that the song’s going to be a hit. And then a year later, you might get a check.
What I like about Elvis is the same thing I like about James Brown, Michael Jackson, Prince. These guys, back in the day, there was no smoke and mirrors. It was just raw talent. They would step out onstage and command an audience. Talk about awesome.
You know, when Michael Jackson does the moonwalk, he’s showing off! When Prince or Hendrix do a guitar solo, it’s confidence! I would hate to be at a show and some nervous wreck is sweating up there and doesn’t feel like he deserves to be there.
You know, my sister sings, my brother plays drums in my band. My whole family is a bunch of musicians.
I definitely don’t plead guilty to being a heartthrob.
Honolulu is a melting pot.
I wish I could tell you me and my rock band were traveling around, strung out. No, we were a family band. Straight Partridge Family.
I guess if I’m a product, either you’re chocolate, you’re vanilla or you’re butterscotch. You can’t be all three.
Hawaiian music is beautiful and simple.
I feel, as a songwriter, it’s one of the hardest things to do – to sit down and say how you feel.
I just know that I’m a fan of all different kinds of genres. You’re supposed to be free doing music, and that’s how I feel.
I just write songs that I strongly believe in and that are coming from inside. There’s no tricks. It’s honesty with big melodies.
Everyone calls me Bruno; they don’t ever call me Peter – that was just my government name.
I signed up to be a musician, I want to perform, I want to sing.
When I see your face, there’s not a thing that I would change ’cause you’re amazing just the way you are.
Treasure, that is what you are.