In the late 2010s, “Cal” and Rob were one of the most sought-after pop duos, especially within the upper echelons of YouTube.

As Timeflies, their weekly “Timeflies Tuesday” segments raked in over 175 million views total across episodes, with their original content streamed over 261 million times altogether. Their breakout album, After Hours, debuted at #8 on the Billboard Top 200 and went #1 on the iTunes Pop chart. Vanity Fair referred to the duo as “musical masterminds.”

Timeflies have since broken up, at least for the time being, but for Cal, whose debut EP The Identity Crisis: Side A comes out this Friday, it was for the best. “I was using the last tour that we had to really reflect,” he told me. “We’ve been touring like this for eight years, and I realized I wanted to tell my story, which is harder to do in a band. “I didn’t feel as inspired by [Timeflies].”

CAL – My Brother (Official Video)www.youtube.com

What has the reception been like so far to your solo career?

“It’s been weird. People are about it, but I knew it would be [kinda weird]. When you already have a platform like Timeflies, your brain is kinda built to have certain expectations. So I feel like I’m starting from scratch, and it’s most the nerve racking part of it but also the most exciting. I’m just happy to be in a place where I can say and do whatever I want.”

What led to wanting to pursue a solo career? Why not just take a break from music in general?

“I love performing, and I just wanted to tell more my story, and explain my experiences. I was ready to explore.”

It seems like you’re working through a lot too?

“I feel like we all have these bumper rails growing up like with friends and family kinda guiding us along, and when they’re gone, you’re left feeling like ‘where am I?’ All my family is in New York, all my friends are too. I’m out here in LA [alone], and I’m kinda left exploring ‘what is this now?'”

Tell me about the song “Friend.”

“At first I didn’t wanna put it out. There’s this line in the second verse…and I know he’s immediately gonna know it’s about him. He was just that friend that fell off the map and did some stuff, and I realized that I’d always love the idea of him, but the shit he did was kind of unforgivable. I don’t trust you anymore. Breaking it down actually is making me a little emotional.”

CAL – So Cal (Official Video)www.youtube.com

Are you ready for him to hear it?

“No. I’m trying to be so present with [this project], and [I need] to express the way I’m feeling. I’m not selling anyone out or anything, and he should know, but it is something I stress about.”

What’s next after Side A? Is Side B coming out?

“You’re clever to notice that. Yes, there will be a Side B, but I don’t wanna speak too much on it yet.”

Are you and Rob still friends? Is a Timeflies reunion ever a possibility?

“Honestly, our relationship is better than it’s been. I mean we’ve always been friends, but it was 8 years of spending 340 days together. Every decision had to be a compromise. It wears you down and you lose track, and now we feel like we can help each other. I could see us working on stuff [in the future.]”

Are you nervous at all to embark on this solo career?

“Self doubt is something that no human has a shortage of in the creative space. So I set my expectations at zero. I’ve really fallen in love with the process, and I love writing songs. I’m mostly just excited.”