Shawn Mendes speaks about music career

Toronto-based pop singer Shawn Mendes answered questions and performed an intimate show for fans at the Grammy Museum on Tuesday night to promote his sophomore album Illuminate.

Two years ago, Mendes released his first single “Life of the Party,” which made him the youngest artist ever to debut in the Top 25. Since then, he has toured with fellow singers Austin Mahone and Taylor Swift, released two albums and is preparing for an international tour in spring 2017.

“There are these random moments for me, and I just got overwhelmed with joy and gratitude. You don’t feel it walking off the stage,” Mendes said during the Q&A session. “You feel the adrenaline and excitement, but you don’t feel the actual mass of what’s happening to you.” Mendes has performed on the highest grossing tour of 2015, and one of the highest in history — Taylor Swift’s 1989 World Tour.

“Every time I step on a stage and perform, it feels like the first time,” he said. “I feel like every aspect of me as a human being I leave on that stage every night. That’s what makes it beautiful, but that’s what makes it so hard at times.” The 18-year-old’s nerves were evident when he answered the host and audience’s questions. However, the moment that the guitar came out, an air of maturity overcame the musician and his powerful voice and talent echoed throughout the room.

Mendes played eight songs to the intimate crowd at the Clive Davis Theater inside the Grammy Museum. The artist’s talented hands glided across the piano, as he performed renditions of the two songs that made him famous — “Life of the Party” and “Stitches.” He then brought out an acoustic guitar and performed “Three Empty Words,” a song depicting the story of two people falling out of love.

After a stripped down version of “Like This,” Mendes brought out the electric guitar for the two edgier songs that signalled a departure from his previously strictly pop ballads: “Ruin” and “Don’t Be A Fool.” Following this was the highest energy song of the night, “Treat You Better,” during which Mendes was dancing around the stage, laughing with the audience, obviously having the time of his life. He concluded with a mellow, emotional performance of “Mercy,” in which he showcased the development of his voice and the maturity in his range.

Mendes spoke about his creative process and why he believed he found his success as an artist.

“The only difference between me, and [my friend] Scott, from my hometown, who plays guitar and is great at singing, is that I was willing to accept creativity and accept what came out of me, without being judged.” Mendes said. “We just sit in [the studio] and you can’t sing a wrong song, sing a wrong melody, play a wrong chord. You just let it come to you, and that’s when true art is created, when you’re no longer critiquing yourself or worried about what other people are saying.”

Mendes cited singer Ed Sheeran as his biggest inspiration. Sheeran has influenced Mendes from the very beginning of his career.

“I was obsessed with his songs, his lyrics, his stories,” he said. “When I met him a long, long time ago, he said to me, ‘It’s not a game; if you want to be successful, just work hard.’”

He also noted Swift as a role model for his work ethic.

“Even at the top of the game, No. 1 artist in the world, she works harder than anything else,” he said. “No amount of success that allows you to stop working hard.”

Mendes’ performance was proof of his potential to make strides in pop music and the music industry.