interview JANA LETONJA

Michael Clifford of multi-platinum selling band 5 Seconds of Summer is set to release his debut solo album ‘SIDEQUEST’ later this Summer. As one of the founding members of 5 Seconds of Summer, the band has continuously soared to new heights with over 7 billion global streams and multiple Award nominations. Embarking on his solo career, ‘SIDEQUEST’ is deeply personal and introspective, allowing fans to see a more vulnerable side of him.

necklace RARE ROMANCE
jacket CARSON WACH
shirt VINTAGE HANES
pants CARSON WACH

‘SIDEQUEST’ marks the beginning of your solo career. Can you tell us more about the inspiration behind this album?

A lot of creating this album for me was just trying to uncover my personal identity. I had no idea who I was or who I am. I was just terrified to create anything that represented me, as it was so far out of my comfort zone, that it was a lot of trial and error of seeing what resonates with me. I just wanted to make everybody who supports me proud.

With the album being an introspective and deeply personal, what kind of emotional journey did you go on while creating it?

I had a bunch of music that I had created before becoming a parent, but after having a child and looking at that music from a fresh perspective, I pretty much scrapped most of it and started again. The biggest journey I went on was just trying not to overthink everything. I'm a chronic overanalyzer. But after watching my daughter discover things that I thought were mundane and treat it with such wonder really changed my perspective.

In creating ‘SIDEQUEST’, you describe an interesting tension between happy-sounding songs and less-than-favorable subjects. Can you dive deeper into this juxtaposition? What made you want to explore that contrast?

I think I was just enjoying the juxtaposition. I really enjoyed the idea of building to what feels cliche and then doing the opposite. I continually tried to do the opposite of what the song was telling me to do on this album.

necklace RARE ROMANCE
ring TALENT’S OWN
bracelet VINTAGE
jacket CARSON WACH
shirt VINTAGE HANES
pants CARSON WACH
shoes OUR LEGACY

left
rings PERSONAL FEARS, MICHAEL’S PERSONAL WEDDING RING
shirt TALENT’S OWN
jacket and pants COUT DE LA LIBERTE
shoes NEW ROCK

right
hat CHROME HEARTS
rings PERSONAL FEARS, TALENT’S OWN
bracelet HEMNES
shirt NOAH COLLINS
sweater SECOND LAYER
tie ERNEST W BAKER
pants COUT DE LA LIBERTE
shoes SECOND LAYER

Your music has often dealt with youthful themes, but with ‘SIDEQUEST’, there seems to be a more mature, reflective side. How did becoming a father impact both your personal life and your approach to music?

I don't necessarily think I wanted to make a record about being a dad, but I didn't want to make one about being a kid either. I was just sort of left to discover who I was and what I had to say. I wasn't sure what perspective I had to bring to the table, per say. I wasn't sure what separated my outlook from others. Then I kind of started to get a little more specific with the things I had experienced, and it really helped me discover what I had to say.

As one of the founding members of 5 Seconds of Summer, you’ve had immense success with the band. How does it feel to step into the spotlight on your own, and what was the most surprising part of working on a solo album?

Terrifying. I always had the ability to hide behind 3 others, so the weight and gravity of decisions and ideas were less. As I went further through this process, I discovered how reliant on that I became. I wasn't able to finish anything, and I was just paralyzed with the idea of being 'finished' with anything at all that represented myself. But conquering that, I think has made me a much creatively stronger individual. I found some respect for myself and my ideas through this process, and I think I'll be able to carry that with me back into being in the band.

You’ve always had a strong connection with your fans through 5 Seconds of Summer. How does your solo music differ in terms of how you want to connect with your audience on a personal level?

Honestly, I'm not sure that's a question I can even really answer. I just want to connect with anybody who hears this and is interested in what I have to say. But it's kind of up to them what to do with that.

The transition from a band member to a solo artist often comes with a shift in creative control. What was the most rewarding part of making this record on your own terms?

It was just so completely new and different for me that it's almost not really comparable. It's not better or worse, it's just so different. I had a lot of fun with pushing myself with creative ideas that I wouldn't necessarily make within the band. The band is a sacred space that has to be protected, whereas with my project it doesn't even exist, so there was no risk. I had to embrace that fact, and just let it all be free and explore. It was just about pushing the needle as far as it could go until it broke and then making a new one.

You’ve achieved so much already with 5 Seconds of Summer. When you look back on your journey, what has been the most rewarding part of your career so far, and how do you hope this new album reflects the growth you’ve experienced over the years?

There's just too many different parts of my career that I couldn't find one moment, really. I'm just so incredibly proud of the fact that we've been able to continually connect with the people who support us year after year, and I hope that this new chapter is just as connective as ever.

What’s next for you after ‘SIDEQUEST’? Can we expect more solo work, or will we see you returning to 5 Seconds of Summer in the near future?

There's a lot coming up. Be ready.

left
hat HANDMADE
rings PERSONAL FEARS, TALENT’S OWN
bracelet HEMNES
jacket AUROTICA

TEAM CREDITS:

talent MICHAEL CLIFFORD
photography and creative direction EASTON SCHIRRA at THE ONLY AGENCY
styling DREW HEMNES
grooming ARIANNA BLEAN
makeup NICOLE WITTMAN
lighting MIKE ANDERSON
set design ALEXIS BERGENS
styling assistant ANTONIO KNIGHT
BTS video MIA ALVARADO
editor TIMI LETONJA
editorial direction and interview JANA LETONJA
special thanks to MSA STUDIOS for the location

IN CONVERSATION WITH MICHAEL CLIFFORD

IN CONVERSATION WITH EVER CARRADINE

IN CONVERSATION WITH ÁLVARO MORTE