The North Wind caught up with singer-songwriter Phillip Phillips on Thursday, April 11, three days prior to his sold-out show on Sunday, April 14 at the Vandament Arena. Phillips was in Minnesota, enjoying a day off in the midst of touring behind his latest album, “The World From the Side of the Moon.”

NW: How’s the tour going so far?

PP: It’s going really well, man. We’ve just been staying super busy, but everything’s good, just staying on the road a lot.

NW: What made you want to do a tour that included a lot of college dates?

PP: Well for this one, I wanted to connect more with people around my own age and kind of build up that fanbase for the years to come. College students will let you know if you had a good show or not, too.

NW: Now you’re a Georgia native — have you ever been to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan?

PP: You know I don’t think so, I’ve been to Michigan before but never up to the northern part.

NW: Are you pretty stoked about the upcoming touring with John Mayer? Have you met him before?

PP: Yeah man, I’m pumped. It’s going to be a lot of fun and it’s really exciting- — a little nerve-wracking; there’s going to be a lot of people at each place. I haven’t met him yet, but from what I heard he kind of requested me for the tour, which is an honor. I’m really excited.

NW: Do you like playing acoustic or electric sets more?

PP: They’re both completely different, you know? Acoustic shows are more intimate but with the full band shows you can have more fun and do some crazier things with the music. I love them both.

NW: What’s your favorite place or venue that you’ve formed at thus far?

PP: Oh man, that’s a good question. There are quite a few I really like; we played a show in Syracuse recently that was a lot of fun. But there’s just so many places.

NW: What do you like to do with your time off from working?

PP: I like to sleep, man (laughs). Just relax, that’s my main thing these days.

NW: You finished up your first album not too long ago — how was your experience in the studio? Do you enjoy making records as much as performing?

PP: Yeah I really like them both, but again they’re very different. Playing live, you don’t have to worry about doing everything just right, but when you’re making a record you’ve got to make it just right. Both are great in their different ways.

NW: Would you rather hang out with John Fogerty (of Creedence Clearwater Revival) or Stephen Stills (of Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young)?

PP: Oh man. How about both?

NW: Who would you consider your dream band to tour with?

PP: I would probably say the Roots, man, those guys are awesome.

For more information about Phillips or for upcoming tour dates, visit www.phillipphillips.com.