With how much the guys are travelling, it definitely can’t be the easiest thing to keep any relationships – with friends, family or girlfriends – working. The Canadian fashion magazine Flare sat down with Pierre right after he got back from his tour across Asia, to talk about touring, Canada and making long-distance relationships work.

You can read the interview below and also make sure to check out Pierre’s new photoshoot for the Flare magazine in the gallery.

You’ve toured all over the world. What can you only get in Canada that you look forward to?
Poutine and a good smoked meat sandwich.

Are Canadians the same across the country?
There are a few differences here and there but Canadians all have one thing in common: we’re very friendly people. It’s so easy to strike up a conversation with a stranger and end up becoming friends.

How do you pass the time when travelling?
We watch a lot of TV. I love Suits, Boardwalk Empire, American Dad and Bored to Death amongst others. It’s a great way to pass the time on those long flights and boring bus rides.

How do you maintain your relationship when you’re on tour?
Being in a relationship definitely comes with its challenges but it’s not too hard when you’re with someone who’s strong and smart and when you’re truly in love. It’s nice to have someone to talk to when times are tough on tour and coming back home is the best feeling when you know you have an amazing person waiting for you. If anything, it makes touring easier. I also believe that being apart sometimes reminds you how much you care and can’t be without the other, so in a weird way it can help a relationship.

Today, Chuck teased his fans on Twitter with a very mysterious new message, saying: “This morning Pierre Bouvier and I had to get up at 5:30am to Skype with a secret guest from a secret location for a secret project.”

So, the biggest question now is: what exactly are the Simple Plan guys up to?

Judging by the fact the guys had to get up super-early for the Skype call, we can assume that the mysterious guest probably isn’t from anywhere near their time-zone, which leaves us with Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia. Could this be about some possible new collaboration? Or something about the upcoming EP or DVD? Or perhaps even some secret show somewhere on the Earth?

Let’s hope we’ll get all these questions answered soon. What are your guesses?

Upadate: (Feb 5th 2012)

Pierre also mentioned the secret project in one of his tweets from last night, when he wrote: “Working on 2 exciting projects right now!!! Both of which I can’t speak of just yet… Fun stuff! Can’t wait to fill you all in!”

So it looks like we not only have one, but two secret projects that the guys are working on and we can look forward to. Let us know about YOUR ideas on what these secret projects could be about!

In the gallery you can now find plenty of new photographs from the red carpet and also from the backstage of the NRJ Music Awards 2012, that took place in Cannes, France, and where Simple Plan (represented by Pierre and David), along with Marie-Mai won their first NRJ award ever – for the Frankophone duet of the year:

At tonight’s annual NRJ Awards in Cannes, France, Simple Plan and Marie-Mai won in the category “Francophone duo/band of the year” for their collaboration on the French version of the song Jet Lag that is featured on Simple Plan’s latest album “Get Your Heart On!”! On behalf of the whole band, Pierre, David and Marie-Mai accepted the award. Immediately after the win, Pierre tweeted: “We won!!!! SP fans you’re the best. Love you so much!” Below you can check out the first pictures of Pierre and David posing alongside Marie-Mai with their brand new NRJ Music Award:

It is important to add that Simple Plan have only been nominated to an NRJ Music Award once before – in 2007 – but only the 2012′s award is their first official win.

Below you can check out Simple Plan’s acceptance speech (in French):

While Jeff, Sebastien and Chuck have already safely landed in Canada, Pierre and David (as I reported earlier) have arrived to Cannes, France yesterday. And despite the long travel all the way from Japan, the two of them were able to get to a scheduled interview with the NRJ radio station (thanks Sab for letting me know), from which you can already check out the first pictures in the gallery. As of right now, the boys are currently attending the NRJ Music Awards in Cannes, France and you can already view the first pictures (supplied by Pierre) from this event:

Despite the previous expectations that tomorrow, January 28th, on their way from Japan, the whole band Simple Plan will stop by Cannes, France to appear on the NRJ Music Awards (where they were also set to perform alongside artists like Britney Spears or Justin Bieber), according to Chuck, only Pierre and David will be present at the award show.

Simple Plan are nominated in the category: “Frankophone duo/group of the year” – because of their musical collaboraion on their single Jet Lag with Marie-Mai. Marie-Mai should also be present at NRJ Music Awards and in case SP and her win, should accept the award with Pierre and David.

The rest of the band is currently flying back home to Canada, where a they will be getting ready for the Canadian tour, that starts only in a few weeks. The band will be touring with All Time Low, These Kids Wear Crowns and Marianas Trench.