“We Look Absolutely Insane”: Haiden Henderson on tension, Fans, and Connecting Through Music

I had the chance to attend an 1824 press conference with pop-rock singer Haiden Henderson about his August 1 release, tension. The EP explores the restless push and pull of love, capturing desire, chaos, and the turbulence of modern relationships.

During the conversation, Henderson reflected on how his relationship with fans has evolved. Early in his career, he aimed for what he described as the “Frank Ocean effect,” hoping listeners would discover his music without personal interaction. But performing live shifted his perspective: “I was sort of robbing myself of an experience if I wasn’t personally connecting with the fans. Because, why am I making music if it’s not to feel connected in some way?”

That realization sparked a new level of engagement. Now, Henderson interacts with fans daily through Discord, replies to comments and DMs, and shares his quirks openly. He finds joy in making music just to see people’s reactions, calling it “the best feeling.”

Aesthetically, Henderson blends a grungy, emo-inspired style with pop sensibility, pulling from influences like Britney Spears, R&B, and vampire culture. He recalled a memorable pop-up in Paris, where fans arrived looking “like the cast of Vampire Diaries,” walking in slow motion. “I was like, oh, I found my people… we look absolutely insane. But I feel very seen by it.” For Henderson, this sense of community goes beyond building an audience and creates a space where people support each other and embrace individuality.

The album itself took shape through fragments, phrases, and personal moments collected over time. The title track, tension, was the last to be written, sparked by an intense real-life event that, as Henderson put it, felt like he was “possessed, like it pulled [him]” That authenticity runs through the project, giving every track a sense of truth.

With his evolving artistry, Haiden Henderson continues to deliver music that is both honest and daring, worth experiencing firsthand for its emotional conviction, storytelling, and magnetic pop energy.

Written by Izzy Hory