#satellitesunset

My absolute favorite mashton moment will always be the "me and my opposite end of the battery" instagram post.

ashtonirwin: Me and my opposite end of the battery in some city, somewhere on planet earth, trying to get our music heard. @michaelclifford

This makes me feel like I'm losing my mind.  The phrase “me and my opposite end of the battery” has been etched into my mind forever and fundamentally shaped my understanding of their relationship (and also made their relationship my favorite of the boys’). I've touched a little on my thoughts on that phrase here but basically, they are opposites but they are the same and they power the band and they need each other to do so. Ashton did me irreparable damage when he decided to describe their relationship with that particular phrase.

2. This interview, specifically timestamp 0:29 (tumblr is being mean and isn't letting me embed the videos but follow the link, it's the big talk interview)

it’s about the way! that michael feeds ashton an answer! and ashton goes along with it with absolutely no thinking! just repeats it because if michael said it then it must be a good answer! even though two seconds later he actually processes it and thinks it sucks!!!! but it’s about the trust that ashton has in him!

also the entire interview is so happy and giggly. i think we only get one serious answer out of them and it’s to the very first question. That day was an absolute great day for mashton people because we got two silly interviews of just them!!!!

3. "We didn't need to" at timestamp 23:51 of the 2011 podcast

what gets me the most was michael’s tone of voice when he said it. he wasn’t flippant, he didn’t brush off ashton’s “but you didn’t really know me very well,” he didn’t turn it into a joke even though he very easily could have. instead, we got the softest “we didn’t need to” i’ve ever heard in my life. there was so much earnestness in his voice! so much sincerity. in that moment, he needed ashton to understand that inviting ashton into the band was never something for them to second-guess. they didn’t need to know everything about ashton right off the bat, because they fit. they fit in some intrinsic way that can’t be formed after playing 20 questions, in some way that just is or isn’t, and with them it is.

not to be overly dramatic, but it’s like some part of michael recognized a kindred spirit in ashton, even if he couldn’t explain why yet. this band meshes so well together. they had an automatic chemistry. they knew right away that ashton would fit, and they knew that they weren’t going to second-guess that. and michael needed ashton to know that in 2021 when they recorded that podcast. he needed ashton to know that from the moment he showed up to that first practice, he’s been part of this band, even though they didn’t officially ask him until december 3.

those are my top 3 moments by far, usually in that order but sometimes not, and here are some of my other favorite moments in no particular order!

-Michael's first message to Ashton asking him to play for the band, which was revealed in the 2011 podcast episode

it's the "i know you're a sick drummer" and the fact that this is the beginning!!!! of everything!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! also Michael is the one who knew the drum parts so i would love to hear more about him teaching Ashton, an actual drummer, the parts before their gig.

also, in general i loved the mashton content in the podcasts because you could clearly say the ways in which they're a driving force in the band based on how much they talked, the things they talked about, and how they talked about the band's journey

-this video beginning at timestamp 1:45

Ashton’s being so lovely and sincere about their bond and then you have Michael “No Personal Space” Clifford with the little “we can stand this close to each other without it being awkward” and then he Leans His Head On Ashton’s Shoulder And The Little Smile!!!!! I think it’s a great moment showcasing how close and comfortable they are from an early time

-Michael teaching Ashton how to play guitar onstage (this video starting at 0:40)

-the "glorious post MSG hug"

michaelclifford: a glorious post MSG hug. 😍 @ashtonirwin

(look at the joy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! the unfiltered joy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

-The Zach Sang interview where Ashton said he does his best writing with Michael when Michael doesn’t like his idea and Ashton has to fight for him to like it at timestamp 12:36 (always pushing each other to be better, those two <3)

-The instagram video where Ashton massages Michael's shoulder while hugging him

-the Dragon Ball Z moment where they’re both nerds and Michael is so delighted by Ashton timestamp 1:19

-“Is this us again?” (They wrote together so much for the first album and I’d love to see more of that)(also Ashton grabs his hand, not just high fives him :) )

-The fact that Michael was so supportive of Ashton's candle company (with the smiley face and hearts!) and that they tested them on the road together!!!