Keith Urban reflects on his signature hairstyle, most unusual place he’s performed

Despite the chilly weather, Keith Urban brought a dose of Australian sunshine to the TODAY plaza.

Just days after his 57th birthday, Urban visited TODAY on Oct. 30 to close out the Citi Concert Series with a high-energy set filled with guitar solos, new hits and crowd-pleasing classics.

Since he moved to Nashville in 1992 to pursue his country music dreams, Urban has released hit albums like clockwork, and he isn't slowing down anytime soon.

His 11th studio album, “High,” came out Sept. 20, and in December, Urban will embark on a tour that spans from Las Vegas to South Australia.

The road to his latest album wasn't entirely straightforward: Urban wrote an album titled "615" before shelving the project and going back to the drawing board for "High."

When asked by TODAY.com why he chose to scrap "615," his answer is simple: "I didn't like it."

In contrast to the more somber tone of “615,” Urban describes his new music on "High" as “euphoric."

The album's title has a variety of interpretations, but Urban links it to the energy he feels when performing onstage.

"Playing live is such a high for me," Urban told the TODAY co-hosts. "Even out on the plaza this morning — it was amazing energy."

Onstage at the plaza, his enthusiasm was contagious.

“All right, let’s play a little!” he said to the crowd, eliciting cheers.

His four-song set on TODAY had something for every fan, including the upbeat tune "Chuck Taylors," soulful ballad "Messed Up As Me," and one of his greatest hits — “Somewhere In My Car.”

Offstage, Urban is equally as known for his charm as he is for his performing prowess. Savannah Guthrie called him one of the “best, nicest, coolest guests that we have” during the singer's spot on the show.

Urban maintained his good humor throughout a series of early morning interview questions for TODAY’s original video series “8 before 8."

Here's what Urban had to say about his latest album, his personal guitar heroes and his favorite Australian animal.

What inspired you to title your new album "High"?

I called the latest album “High” because it was a good, strong, simple, euphoric word that has a lot of interpretations, which I also liked. Everybody gets to that place differently, but it’s definitely the destination, and the record has a feeling of euphoria.

Do you see yourself releasing any of the scrapped songs from “615” in the future?

So, I made an album called “615,” and there were four songs that I took off that record which made it onto “High.” The rest of them, right now, they’re out in the front yard, up on blocks with grass growing around them. So we’ll see what happens.

Who would you put on your Mount Rushmore of guitarists?

Well, first of all, I’m going to need more than four faces, probably. (Jimi) Hendrix, No. 1 for sure. No. 2 is always hotly contested: Stevie Ray Vaughan, Eric Clapton, Mark Knopfler, Angus Young. I could go on and on. It’s too many, way too many.

Where is the most unusual place you've performed?

The most unusual place I’ve performed? On the baggage carousel at an airport on the little carpeted strip in between where the bags go around. Yeah, totally humiliating.

What’s your most fun song to perform onstage?

All of them, because I feel really grateful that I don’t have to do a song that I don’t like. I feel really, really lucky that that’s happened to me: to have such a long career and have certain songs like “Blue Ain’t Your Color,” or “Somebody Like You,” or some of these songs, that I couldn’t not do them. But I love them just as much as I did when I recorded them.

When did your iconic hairstyle become part of your look?

I've never decided to make hair a part of my look. God bless my mom. I got my mom’s hair, and my dad really didn’t have much, and I’m grateful that I got her gene. Go, mom.

From LL Cool J: How have you maintained your long career?

That's a great question. First of all, right back at you, dude — been around a long time, high level. Same answer you’d probably have: passion, hunger, curiosity.

I love playing music just as much as I did when I was sitting in my bedroom at 6 years old learning to play guitar. I don’t feel any different. I’m just as excited to write the next song, put on the next tour, make another album — like, literally giddy with excitement to do that. That’s never changed. And that could have worked or not worked, as far as staying relevant or being able to have songs that connect. I’ve just been really blessed and lucky, and the harder I’ve worked, the luckier I’ve become.

Rapid fire round:

Favorite fast-food chain?

There’s too many! I do love In-N-Out. I do love Chick-fil-A. ... I'm going to say In-N-Out is my favorite. Yeah, period.

Nashville winter or Sydney summer?

Oh, Sydney summer. Nashville winters are brutal. January is like Monday. February is like Tuesday. March is like a Wednesday. And slowly, as you can see, you’re getting towards the weekend in Nashville, and the summer is like Friday, Saturday, Sunday — perfect.

What’s one word you would use to describe this past year?

Electrifying.

Favorite Australian animal?

A wombat! I love wombats.

This article was originally published on TODAY.com