Perth's own Cloning, have once again captivated listeners with their latest offering, 'Just As You Are'. This ethereal new single, available now, further cements their reputation as one of Australia's most compelling alt-rock outfits.
Having consistently sold out shows across the nation and accumulated millions of streams, the quartet, comprising Felix Parker (lead vocals, guitar), Bevan Green (guitar), Nic Rollo (bass), and Jack Brett (drums), continues to push their sonic boundaries.
'Just As You Are' is a masterclass in atmospheric rock, weaving together expansive soundscapes with a delicate balance of powerful beats and introspective calm. Felix Parker's soft-spoken charisma and calming vocals guide the listener through a journey of self-acceptance. The track subtly nods to genre giants like Radiohead, Everything Everything, Midnight Oil, Slowdive, and The War on Drugs, yet remains uniquely Cloning. The expert mastering touch of Brian Lucey, renowned for his work with bands like Cage The Elephant and Arctic Monkeys, ensures every layer shines.
Frontman Felix Parker reveals the heartfelt core of the song, stating, "Just As You Are is about acceptance and feeling comfortable in your own skin." This message resonates deeply with the band's authentic approach, extending to their creative process. Uniquely, Cloning self-record, mix, and produce their music, with bass guitarist Nic Rollo at the helm. Rollo explains the benefits of this hands-on method: "being able to work closely together to push through quick iterations of a song and explore sonic boundaries on a level that would be hard with an external producer has been a game changer for us, recording and mixing feels like more of an extension of the songwriting process."
Formed in 2019 after Bevan Green moved to Perth and connected with high school friends Felix, Nic, and Jack, Cloning quickly made their mark. Tone Deaf hailed them in 2020 as "the future of indie and alt-rock in Australia," a prediction that has steadily come to fruition. Their immersive soundscapes and relatable lyrics have garnered a dedicated grassroots fanbase, leading to national tours, prime spots on Spotify’s ‘New Music Friday’ and Apple Music’s ‘New Music Daily’ playlists, and thousands of kilometres travelled for sold-out shows, including recent triumphs at Melbourne’s The Workers Club and Adelaide’s Grace Emily Hotel.
Beyond the music, Cloning prioritises community. They boast a 10K-strong email subscriber base and a 500-member fan Discord server, fostering genuine connections. "After every show you’ll find us at the back of the room taking photos with fans and signing merch for them," the band shares. "It’s our favourite part of the night getting to meet our listeners, it can be especially amazing on the East Coast, since it’s so far from home and we’re playing to rooms full of strangers.”
For more from the band, join them on Facebook and Instagram.
