Cody Simpson Covers FAULT Magazine Issue 33 : A Story of Reinvention
See the full reverse covershoot and exclusive interview with Cody Simpson – secure your copy of FAULT Magazine Issue 33, now available for preorder
Photographer / Creative Director: Raen Badua – raenbadua – www.raenbadua.com
Wardrobe Stylist: Dev Alexander | Uncommon Artists – dev.la uncommon_artists
Grooming: Emma Croft | Exclusive Artists – emmacroftmakeup exclusiveartists
Lighting Tech: James Valdez – jamesinfocus
Photo Assistant: Analiese Yamawaki – analliesee
Style Assistant: Christian Jaramilo – christianjaramilo
Words: Miles Holder
There’s a duality to Cody Simpson that makes his return to music feel less like a comeback and more like a continuation. First introduced to the world as a teenage pop prodigy, Simpson has spent the years since resisting any fixed narrative, even stepping away from the spotlight at times to pursue elite swimming, immersing himself in theatre, and quietly recalibrating what artistry means to him on his own terms.
As we look ahead to his new era of music, we catch up with Cody to discuss his creative journey, his sound and his FAULTs.
You’ve released a couple of singles already, what was the inspiration behind When It Comes to Loving You?
We finished it just a couple of weeks before it came out. I’d started working with this incredible young producer, Harrison, and one of the earlier songs we made, Baby Blue, felt like a kind of North Star for the project. It had this really joyful, infectious energy.
Lyrically, When It Comes to Loving You came from imagining what it would feel like to find the right person. I’ve been through a lot of ups and downs in my personal life and relationships, things I thought would last that didn’t. I’ve also been through a lot of phases and errors in my life and relationships have, have grown and faded.
So it was about imagining that moment when you meet someone you’d do anything for, and trying to capture that feeling.
Do you feel like your early success limited your ability to experiment?
In some ways, yeah. I didn’t really get that time to figure things out quietly. I was thrown in very quickly, performing in front of thousands before I even felt ready.
It was very much a baptism by fire. That’s been a theme throughout my life doing things before I feel ready. But there’s a positive side to that as well. I was working with incredible people from a young age and learning from them. It gave me tools I wouldn’t have otherwise had.
What is your FAULT?
Lack of patience. I’m very driven, but that can turn into pressure. I can be quite self-critical, and I don’t always give myself the time to just enjoy things. It’s something I’m working on.