Singer-songwriter Cody Crump has a complicated, give-and-take relationship with music; he took piano lessons as a kid because “the teacher would give you a candy bar if you received a “superior” rating on your weekly lesson.” As a teenager, he began writing songs “to pick up babes.” But there’s nothing complicated about the straightforward, garage-pop songs on his debut EP Death. The charming 5-track set speaks about living with our mortal coil; as Crump says, “I’ve been fascinated and terrified of death since being a small child. It remains a big theme in everything I do; and what better inspiration than not knowing if you’ll be here tomorrow?”

Hometown: Montrose, Colorado

Current residence: Los Angeles

How do you like living in LA? Does living here influence your music?

I truly love Los Angeles. I thought I would hate it when I moved here, but it has won me over. Los Angeles is an amazing place where it feels like everything is possible, and yet impossible at the same time. The inspiration is in the desperation.

When did you know you wanted to be a singer?

I loved Garth Brooks, and would ask my mom, "Why can't Garth be my brother?" I used to sing really stupid songs on family road trips about french toast and pancakes, and my family would get really annoyed—that is when I knew—I must do this for the rest of my life...

When did you start writing and singing your own songs?

When I was about 15, I began writing songs so I could pick up babes.

Who are your musical idols?

Trent Reznor, Brian Wilson and Jimmy Buffett.

What's your songwriting process like?  

Different depending on the project I'm working on. [I usually start] with a supreme amount of  frustration, sadness, happiness, or anger that manifests itself in musical form.

I really like your song “1989” from your Death EP.

I remember writing my song “1989” seven years ago—then Taylor Swift came out with her album 1989, and I said, "Oh crap. This is not good for me."

Why is your EP called Death? Don't you want to live forever like the rest of us?

Death is the connecting theme for the project. And I don't [want to live forever]. That would be way too long to live. I would get really sick of it.

What's one thing you want people to know about you?

I love margaritas.