OurStage Snapshot: Ben Cyllus

Sounds Like: Ryan Adams on a pop binge

Influenced By: The Beatles, Gram Parsons and Elvis Costello

Why He's Blowing Up OurStage: He has toured with My Morning Jacket and the Wallflowers, and Emmylou Harris once told him that he's on her iPod! But this young singer credits his success on OurStage as "the right time for me as an artist to show my hard work."

Hear Cyllus' song, 'Cry Later,' and read a candid interview with the rising star after the jump.

Why do you think you are doing well on OurStage?

I think I'm doing well on OurStage because I wrote 1,000 really crappy songs before I started to write a few good ones. It's the right time for me as an artist to show my hard work.

Favorite thing about the site?

Discovering all the unknown talent.

What's your coolest moment with a fan?

It was a very cool moment when I met Emmylou Harris and she said, "You're on my iPod, you're really good."

What keeps you grounded?

My two baby daughters Ava & Ruby. It's hard to act like a rockstar when you've got mashed up bananas in your hair. My drive to deliver these songs to the world only gets more focused and intense as I know these girls are watching me very closely. By the way, I've got no shortage of lullabies in my repertoire these days.

What do you think the internet has done to change music?

The Internet has made it a lot easier for John Doe music love to find stuff to love. As for what it's done for the artist, I think it's mostly evened the playing field for those artists who may not have had a shot at getting their music to the masses. It's also overwhelmed & confused the hell out of me on a personal level.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

In 10 years I hope to be graciously accepting the love that only 40,000 screaming fans can give you.

Who is your hero?

At the risk of sounding cliche, my hero is my mom. She's a great source of inspiration to me and has made it through a gauntlet of life challenges without losing her positive outlook & sense of humor.

What is your biggest fear?

To die with a song still in me.

Coolest moment performing?

I was opening as a soloist for Art Alexakis of Everclear fame and as I approached the mic, somebody in the front row announced, "Oh, he's just the sound guy." Which of course gave me more reason to dig deep and put on a great performance. Later that night the same guy asked for my autograph.

If you could open for anyone, who would it be?

Elvis

Favorite food?

Sushi

What do you think makes you stand out from your competition?

I hope it's because of my songs and not my hair.