In July 2022 I had Joven from Clique on the radio for an interview. 2 months later Clique played the YLIA Fest at Casa De La Raza. I caught up with Joven about what Clique has been up to in the last year and a half.

Thanks for taking some time. I know you have a busy life.  It’s been 18 months since we interviewed on the radio.  How did it feel to watch the Padres knock the Dodgers out of the playoffs in October 2022?

Yeah, man! That was so long ago. 
Geez, Padres/Dodgers NLDS seems like such a distant dream at this point given their 2023 fall from grace . I remember being so ecstatic in the moment, but it was super weird because I was on a solo surf trip in the Philippines. I was on a semi desolate island with the most spotty streaming service. I had to watch some of the games at like 4am and the streaming site I was using was so unreliable. But yeah, I had no one to really share the moment with besides some stray dogs on the beach. 

Game 4 was one of those games where it just seemed like the Dodgers were just gonna win and then go on to demolish the Padres the next night. But that 7th inning tho…I couldn’t believe Kim got that hit past Muncy. Soto was clutch. Cronenworth became a legend. I was screaming at the stray dogs. And we all know what happened by the end of the series. Of course it was just a moment in time, because ultimately they didn’t go on to win it all. 

Clique has been vocal about the ongoing genocide in Palestine.  Is there anything you can suggest for people to do to become more educated on this and some effective ways to donate or support?

We feel like we have no choice but to be vocal about the genocide in Palestine. Their struggle is ours and that of all displaced peoples. And I know it’s probably on brand for Clique to speak on these things, but this in particular is a major human catastrophe that is unfolding in real time before our eyes. The Palestinian struggle is one that anyone (with even an ounce of humanity) should take on, because it affects how we all move forward in this world. If we allow genocide to happen without speaking up, then we normalize and validate it.

If you go looking for it, there are endless amounts of easy resources online about Israel and the U.S.’s imperialist destruction of Palestinian life. Read Fanon’s “Wretched of the Earth”. I’m currently reading a book called “Except for Palestine”. But ultimately if you want to support, just speak up. Be a voice in whatever fashion you can. 

You guys have been busy over the last year, played some awesome gigs.  Are there any stand out shows you have played?  Has there been any place in particular you guys have loved playing? 

I feel like you set me up for this one because you know Oxnard is one of my favorite places to play haha. 

We’ve honestly been hella grateful to play some pretty meaningful shows with a lot of bands we respect and love. The benefit for the Palestinian Youth Movement and Within Our Lifetime at Midnight Hour with Show Me the Body, Zulu, Greenwitch, and Mia Carrucci is probably not only one of my favorite shows we’ve played but one of the best shows I’ve ever been to. The vibe and energy was immaculate. 

The most recent show we played in Santa Cruz with Scowl was absolutely insane. 

Fresno was super special to me because I discovered Bulldog. 

Tijuana forever. 

And then of course, local San Jose and San Francisco shows standout because we get to play with friends.

“COMMUNIQUE” just came out this week.  How does this follow “A Worldwide Clique” and how was the writing and recording process for this record? 

With “Communique” we’ve almost become a totally different band in sound and process. I feel a lot of pride in having been part of this record. Not that I didn’t feel that way about our other releases, this one just felt elevated in so many ways. We wanted to do so much more after “A Worldwide Clique” came out but had hella life shit come up that prevented us from really gettin it. So “Communique” to me is another go at it. 

We wrote and recorded this record with our friend Max of Photographic Memory in his studio in LA. Max was in Militarie Gun and a grip of bands before but predominantly works with pop, hip hop, and shoegaze artists. I’m sure people can hear it in the record but there’s just a different vibe that Max helped surface. It still has the bones of what Clique is and sounds like, but with this added bass beat ass-drop type texture. I’m personally always wanting to learn how to do music in different ways and this was straight up a learning experience for me as to what Clique can do. 

Before, we wrote the way I’m sure a lot of hardcore bands write, in the practice space, live, altogether. We still do that to a certain extent, but it’s always hard to hear what exactly is going on. What was cool about doing it on the spot in the studio was that we were able to riff into the computer, hear what the riff truly sounded like, and process what was needed to accompany it. We got to talk about the song a little more while Max worked on the technical stuff and reference different things along the way. 

You’re a great lyricist and “COMMUNIQUE” is more proof of that.  Is there anything you specific you drew from when writing lyrics for these songs? 

That really means a lot to me so thank you for saying that. I feel like I worked extra hard this time around not just on lyrics but also writing vocal patterns that matched the music we wrote. This being our third EP, I was scared I was going to run out of things to write about or ways to write it. But unfortunately the world continues to fail us, and somehow I find myself putting new thoughts to paper. 

I tried to let the music dictate what the lyrics were going to be about if that makes sense. Certain riffs and drums just sounded like the song should be about a specific topic to me. I would actually go into the booth and freestyle based on the vocal patterns and then listen back and try to tidy it up. 

“Seditionist” and “Communique” for example were based on my interpretation of a couple of the photos we’ve been using for visuals. The photos, including the album art and some recent tour fliers, were gifted to us by an artist in Chile who documents different radical happenings in Santiago. 

Parts of “Future Denied” are very Edward Abbey writing inspired. I think a lot of Hayduke’s Night March, Desert Soltaire, and the art of direct action. 

What’s the plan for CLIQUE in 2024?  Any shout outs, final thoughts or listening recommendations?

Like I said before, I feel like we’re a totally different band in some ways now with our sound and direction. 2024 is about learning more about what it means to create within Clique and honing in on the things we want to do – and we want to do a lot! Probably a good amount of touring for the time being. We want to play a lot of places we’ve never played before if we’re able to. We’re heading out next week back to Socal, the SW, the Bay, and then up to Canada. 

Probably another record this year. We’re already working on the next one. I don’t know what it’s going to be or when it’ll come to, but maybe prepare yourself for a dive bomb somewhere…maybe. Maybe some ambient jazz and flute. 

I also want to make a zine. It might align with or feature Clique stuff, but I definitely want to do more with the project that’s not strictly music. 

Shoutout to anyone trying to make something happen with their own in this cruel existence. I think we’re collectively getting a better sense that we’re not just in this alone and that power takes many forms. Listen to those who are actively fighting against colonialism, fighting against the police, and trying to usher in a new world. Get some ideas. Learn a new skill. 

Padres prediction 2024? 

Pain. Lots of pain.