Reece Mastin never kept a diary as a child - he wrote lyrics instead.
He grew up listening to Guns'N' Roses and Aerosmith - influences, which shaped his musical career and propelled him to stardom as the fresh-faced, gritty-voiced teenager who won Australia X Factor 2011.
Next month, the 18-year-old will play in Tauranga as part of a nationwide tour to promote his sophomore album Beautiful Nightmare. He is proud of the fact he co-wrote every track on the album.
"I just think if you write the songs they feel more like you. The fact is people react to honesty, and that's exactly how I want my songs to come across - with a real truthfulness.
"If you say something that people are going to understand straight off the bat, they're gonna find a much easier connection with your music."
