Key Highlights :
Will Clift is a former footy star who has made the surprising career transition from the field to the stage with the help of an ARIA award-winning artist. The 26-year-old hails from Eumundi on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast and was chosen ahead of hundreds of musicians who applied for a mentorship with Matt Corby.
Clift said the leap into music was not an easy decision but one he’s been building up to his whole life. “I’ve always tried to do both,” he said. “It’s always been a huge part of my life.” He started playing semi-professionally for the under 20s Melbourne Rebels before making the switch into the professional grade. All the while completing a music degree. Then the city was plunged into one of the world’s harshest lockdowns and he decided to throw a neuroscience degree into the mix for good measure. Emerging from lockdown he gave footy one last “crack” and moved to Sydney’s northern beaches to play for the Warringah Rats.
“But at the end of last year, I sort of had an epiphany. And I was like, you know, I love rugby but I can’t do both. “I did the old pros and cons list and it was pretty clear to me that it was music.” He won’t be missing the strict control of the sport anytime soon though, saying music has given him far more freedom. “I was tracking calories, training every day, for several hours a day,” he said, before chuckling. “My body feels amazing. I’m not bruised and battered.”
Clift has released his first six-track acoustic EP, Coast, which has been praised by fans of early Frank Ocean, Budjerah and even Corby himself. “He has such a unique and soulful sound that I can‘t wait to experiment with, and a powerful backstory of sacrifice and pursuing what was true to him, which really resonated with me,” Corby said.
Clift said he’s looking forward to the chance to share the stage with Corby when he opens for him on the Central Coast next week. “I’m really looking forward to picking his brains, hopefully not annoying him too much,” he said before adding Corby was the main reason he applied for the mentorship. “I would absolutely love to get in the studio with him because, you know, he‘s just amazing at what he does.” “I’m also hoping he can teach me some of the nitty gritty of what it looks like to release music and try and make money from it.”
Will Clift’s story is an inspiring one of hard work and dedication to pursuing what he loves. His transition from the field to the stage is one that many can relate to, and his drive to succeed is something that should be admired. With the help of an ARIA award-winning artist, Clift is set to make a name for himself in the music industry and we can’t wait to hear what he has to offer.