Every year, there are a handful of acts from around the world that seem to appear out of nowhere with what becomes a massive hit. Typically these songs grow internationally, and then just as they hit their global peak, America catches on, usually months (if not years) after everyone else.

Last year, that happened for British crooner George Ezra, whose single “Budapest” was one of the biggest sellers in the world. The soulful love song made him a star, and he’s just now getting around to conquering the United States.

In between tour stops with Hozier, George spoke with me about finally hitting America.

How does it feel to have your album finally released in the United States?

It's great. Because it's already out everywhere else in the world, I feel like I kind of know what to expect. This is my first real time hitting America, and I feel like I know what's going on now.

You've been promoting this album and several singles all around the world for over a year now, so does it feel strange to come to America and start over again with your first single?

That's exactly what it feels like. We are starting all over again. It's a nice feeling. It's exciting. To be honest, it's great just to be able to tour.

How did your tour with Sam Smith go?

It was really great. It was my first real tour in America, and it was amazing to be able to come and play for 4,000 people at night. You can't really ask for much more than that. I'm also really excited to be playing with Hozier across the US again. His audience is brilliant.

He's another huge international breakout star in America. Are you hoping to follow in his career trajectory?

Well, I don't think it's really up to me. I just released the album that I wanted to record, and if people like it that's great. To be able to come over and tour under my own name would be great.

Is that something you are planning on?

Actually, it's already booked—I'll be touring the US in April.

Wow, you never stop. So you're not burned out then yet?

Not yet, but for the last 12 months I have been operating at a certain level of tired. I'm 21, so I can handle it.

You've become a big star around the world in just about a year. What has that year been like for you?

The really cool thing is that I don't have any friends or family who have been through this sort of thing before, so the whole thing is brand new to me. It's been really exciting for all of us. I always said that if I only got to release one album I would still be happy.

You are from the UK, so you obviously made it big there. Is there anywhere else in the world that you were surprised to see your album and songs perform so well?

It started to go really well in the rest of Europe before it did in the UK. Places that I had never been to started to play “Budapest” a lot. I love to travel, and I get to do that now, so it's really been wonderful.

Do you think any of that it has to do with the song actually being called “Budapest”?

The funniest thing is that the song has absolutely nothing to do with Budapest. Its just a love song. Trying to explain that to Hungarian journalists was like breaking people’s hearts. They couldn't quite get their heads around it.

Next time you go back there, just lie.

I should do that. I've played in Budapest twice, and the really heartwarming thing is that the audience was excited for the whole set, not just that song. Although, they did go fucking mental when I said I was going to play it.

How did you come to be signed to Columbia at such a young age?

When I was 18 there was one video of me on YouTube.

It only had a few thousand views, but a record label approached me and wanted to meet. Because of the nature of the industry, once one label wants to meet with you, they all do. They just want to make sure that they are not missing out on anything. I met with a lot of labels, but Columbia with the only one that offered, and they were the ones that I was happiest and most comfortable with.

For what I was doing, I think being signed to a major label made sense. Some bands shouldn't be, because they would be much better off on a small indie label. Some people also sign record deals and then think that they can do the whole thing without the label. You have to work together. I can write the songs, which not everybody at the label can do. But then again, I'm no good at marketing...

You say a major label is best for what you are doing. What do you mean by that?

I was 18 when I first started writing pop songs, which was a challenge for me. I had always written songs that were folk or blues oriented. There's a skill and a challenge in writing pop songs, which I think are the hardest for me. I also find that they are the most rewarding.

So you would describe your album is pop?

Yes, but I don't think it sounds like modern pop music. Structure-wise and melodically it's a pop record. I think would you listen to it its pretty easy to hear that I grew up with folk and blues.

Who did influence you while you were growing up?

I was lucky because when I was 14 all of these bands started to coming out that we're perfect for a teenage guy like me. Vampire Weekend, Kings of Leon, Arctic Monkeys...they all started to appear. I was also listening to a lot of Bob Dylan, Van Morrison, and Tom Waits.

That makes sense, because you do sound like you are on the rockier side of things.

I guess so. I also have no idea where my sound will go from here. I think it will always be linked to that bluesy, folksy sound.

Since the album is already a year old, are you working on new material, or are you primarily focused on touring for now?

It's actually really nice to hear you say focusing on the touring, because I'm trying to give this record a hot minute to exist. I have literally just started to write again.

It seems like a lot of people are always looking for what's next. Artists will release an album and the next day get asked about new material.

It's hilarious, isn't it? I think people are just getting used to this new cycle. Artist didn't used to have to tour as much decades ago. Touring was nowhere near as common as it is now. One album a year made sense. I had several months of touring in a row, and then it's festival season.

You have to find a balance, and find time for friends and family. That's a very important part of anybody's life I think.

What festivals are you excited for this year?

Glastonbury is always exciting. Coachella for sure. That's pretty cool, I can't believe I'm playing it.

Well, you are not just playing it, I think you are one of the bigger names.

No! I don't know about that! I'm chuffed man. Really excited for that.

That was an excellent polite dodge. I appreciate that.

Had to!

George Ezra's debut full-length album, Wanted On Voyage, is out now via Columbia.