In a new interview with the Associated Press, Zedd speaks about his career, from his discovery to his latest album, True Colors.

The songwriting experience for his latest album has been different from others, the German DJ/producer says, having begun each song with a piano demo.

“For the first time I had the courage to just go ahead and write a song that is almost fully acoustic … without making it electronic, without feeling like the world would not understand me,” he said.

The album’s first single, “I Want You to Know,” featuring Selena Gomez, was a hit—and the vocals apparently serendipitous. Gomez and Zedd record at the same studio and simply bumped into each other in the hallway. The rest is history.

“We recorded her vocal and I loved it, and I never tried anyone else on it,” Zedd says.

As many fans know, the German DJ/producer’s rise began when he was discovered by none other than Lady Gaga, who tapped Zedd to work on her album ARTPOP after hearing his demo.  This collaboration also led to Zedd’s record deal with Interscope Records.

Zedd has, of course, since gone on to have chart-topping singles featuring some of today’s top artists and to win a Grammy (for “Clarity” in 2012).

Read the full article at the New York Times.