IN CONVERSATION WITH HAIDEN HENDERSON

interview by JANA LETONJA

Haiden Henderson is quickly emerging as one of pop’s most intriguing new voices. The singer-songwriter has spent the last few years quietly building a devoted fanbase known as the “Haiders,” selling out his first headline world tour and amassing millions of listeners across platforms before many mainstream audiences even knew his name. Blending airy falsetto vocals with explosive guitars, hip-hop-influenced production, and emotionally charged songwriting, he has crafted a sound that feels both intimate and cinematic. Now, as he prepares to release his highly anticipated debut album this October, he is entering a defining new chapter. Exploring themes of desire, shame, reinvention, self-destruction, and the pursuit of validation, the project promises to introduce listeners to the most vulnerable and ambitious version of Haiden yet. With a rapidly growing global audience and a major arena run opening for 5 Seconds of Summer, Haiden is poised to become one of pop’s breakout artists of the year.

Your debut album is finally on the horizon. How does it feel to be entering this chapter after spending years building your audience independently?

It feels like this couldn’t have happened at a better time, honestly. My last few EPs have been about exploring my sound and gaining the confidence necessary to make it riskier. And this album is risky, but in a good way. I think people will either love or hate this new era for me. No in between.

You've described the album as a story of desire, self-destruction, reinvention, and yearning. What inspired those themes?

I’ve always chased after people and for as long as I can remember, I’ve been thinking about how I can make myself more attractive to everyone around me. Being liked has been my life’s goal and this album is kind of about how that can burn you. In this last year, I realized that being wIlling to do anything to please people around me meant that I was actually hurting them. Kind of meta, kind of annoying, very human.

The project explores the damage we can do to ourselves in pursuit of being desired. Why was that an important subject for you to unpack?

I think as a kid, I was so focused on being likeable that I got used to not letting anyone in. To me, this album is about exploring my ugly. And letting other people hear it in an effort to more authentically introduce myself to my fans. The music is raw and unfiltered. It’s imperfect and in your face.

Looking back at the person who started making music, how different is the artist releasing this album today?

I’ve only been a musician for the last 5 years of my life. Music wasn’t even a large part of my life up until that point. That made me afraid of it in a lot of ways I think. I feared being bad at it. I’ve wanted to prove that I am good at this. I wanted everything to be polished. I’m much more fearless now. I chase the things that scare me sonically and lyrically. Feels like I left the polish at home for this project.

You've built an incredibly dedicated fan community in the Haiders. What has their support meant to you throughout this journey?

I was releasing music into the void for a while and it was bleak. I learned that having traction on social media means nothing if you don’t have a consistent group of people coming back to hear what you have to say. The only way to find that community is to talk to them like your friend group from back home. Be vulgar, be raw, be open and they will do the same. I’m so happy to be out of that void.

You spent years developing your artistry before reaching this current moment. How important was that period of growth and experimentation?

Because I take everything so seriously, I made it grueling on myself. Every little decision in my head is always life or death. It’s the only way I know how to be. I’m a very chalant person. I think the last few years of growth have largely existed to teach me how to have fun with this career. Take it seriously, but have fun and don’t be so vanilla. No one wants to pay to see a curmudgeon. I’ve really been obsessed with the word ‘curmudgeon’ lately.

You've already sold out a headline world tour before releasing a debut album. Has that changed the way you think about your career?

Oh my goodness, The TensionTour was the most influential moment of my life. Every day, I think about being on stage. Looking into the crowd and seeing a collection of new and familiar faces. Most of them are smiling or some of them are crying. Everything that I do is to get back to that. I just want people to come to the shows so they can see the best of what I do.

You're heading out on a major arena run with 5 Seconds of Summer. What are you most looking forward to about that experience?

I love winning a crowd over. It’s like a social experiment or something. Feeling the low expectations slowly turn into unassuming delight is so fun. I flirt with a crowd of 20.000 people every night and get to call it a job. That’s everyone’s dream.

Your audience is growing incredibly quickly. How do you stay grounded while everything is accelerating?

I’m generally pretty self-loathing and that tends to keep me humble on a day to day basis. I grew up seeing most boys be really full of themselves and I just thought it was cringe. Honestly, I only recently realized that being confident doesn’t make you an asshole. Being an asshole makes you an asshole. I also try to surround myself with freinds that will call me on my shit when I’m being arrogant.

Social media has played a huge role in helping artists connect directly with fans. How has your relationship with those platforms evolved?

I used to dread posting every day. I’d wake up with chest pain over the thought of it. I was talking about it to one of my good friends and he was like, “Why do you feel anxious about posting? I just do it because it’s fun.” Something clicked for me then. I think I just needed permission to have fun with it and I’ve been doing that ever since.

What excites you most about the future—not just as an artist, but as a person?

Taking more risks. Doing things that I’ve never seen or heard someone else do before. I’m excited by the idea that my job is to top myself creatively. What a silly thing. 

TEAM CREDITS:

photography BENJI ALLEN