Q + A: Atlas Franklin Alexander

An ethereal exploration into vulnerability, atmospheric whimsy and psych pop elements, the brand-new track New Remedy out today from Newcastle artist Atlas Franklin Alexander wields nostalgic modernity, while also offering glossy insight into what lies in wait at the core of his impending new EP, Flexible New Replica, due March 13, and celebrating its release with an east coast tour, set to hit Wollongong, Sydney and Melbourne in March. We sat down with him for a quick Q+A

Hi, thanks for taking the time to chat with Hear 2 Zen, what have you been up to today?

Thanks for having me! Today’s been a bit of a balance between getting some creative work done and taking a breather. I spent the morning writing some new ideas then I had band practice for a little east coast tour that I’m currently in the middle of.

Tell us about yourself, how long have you been performing/creating music for?

I’ve been creating music for a while now, but it’s always felt like I’m just getting started. I’ve been performing for ages, this project started in 2018, we played bigsound as our first gig. I guess the real journey began when I started to explore my sound more deeply. Each song feels like a new chapter, and every performance is a new opportunity to grow. I’d say I’ve been in this for a long enough time to have a clear sense of who I am as an artist, but I’m still evolving with each release.

Who are your greatest inspirations? Why?

I draw inspiration from a mix of classic and contemporary artists. David Bowie stands out because he was never afraid to reinvent himself and challenge conventions. There’s also Khruangbin, who blend the old with the new in such a seamless way. But outside of music, I’m inspired by the people I meet—whether it’s a conversation with a stranger or a quiet moment in nature. Those everyday, unspoken experiences fuel a lot of my creativity. It’s the balance between the known and the unknown that truly sparks my imagination.

How do you create music? Are you lyrics/story driven, or does the music/melody come first? Explain your process.

I tend to approach music in a bit of a cyclical way. Sometimes, I’ll start with a melody or a beat that feels right, and other times, the lyrics come first when I’m feeling a certain emotion or experience. For me, it’s about letting the process flow naturally. Often, the story is shaped by the music itself—it’s all about finding the balance between the two. Sometimes, a melody will evoke a feeling that will lead to the lyrics, and other times, the words will create the sound. It’s always fluid and never the same.

What has been your greatest challenge so far in performing/creating music?

The greatest challenge for me has been overcoming self-doubt I rekn, especially when working on something deeply personal. There are moments when you question whether what you’re creating will resonate with others or if it’s too out there or whatevers. It’s a constant battle between staying authentic to myself and pushing boundaries while also staying grounded. But honestly, that uncertainty is also what drives me. It’s a reminder that I’m growing, trying new things, and taking risks. Sometimes, the most challenging moments are the ones that bring out the best in you.

Tell us about your new release, New Remedy, how did it come about?

New Remedy came from a place of internal struggle and the desire to find clarity in moments of confusion. I wanted to create something that spoke to that vulnerable, messy feeling we all experience but also offered hope. It’s a track that blends the raw emotions of uncertainty with the desire for healing. It came together in my DIY bedroom studio after a lot of reflection and just letting myself be open to what the music wanted to become.

What advice do you have to artists who are just starting out?

My advice would be to trust the process and don’t rush. It’s easy to get caught up in everything. Be patient with yourself and let your sound evolve naturally. Also, stay authentic—there’s so much noise out there, but the most important thing is to stay true to what you love and why you’re creating.

Tell us your favourite Zen practice.

I’d say my favorite Zen practice is mindfulness, especially when it comes to being present in the moment. Whether I’m creating music or just going through my daily routine, I try to stay grounded and aware. It’s easy to get caught up in the chaos of life, but yeah I try and stop and just sit and meditate as much as I can, even if it’s for ten minutes a day. It helps me clear my mind and return to what matters most in my music and in life.

MORE ABOUT ATLAS FRANKLIN ALEXANDER

A raw yet resplendent outing that glimmers with touches of Peter Gabriel’s experimental 80s side, Radiohead’s atmospheric dreaminess, Tame Impala’s synth-meets-psych-pop sensibilities and a dash of Kurt Vile’s vulnerability, New Remedy also firmly showcases Atlas Franklin Alexander’s ability to balance modern hues with throwback tendencies, while also traversing extremely relatable lyrical fare in an open-veined fashion, as Atlas Franklin Alexander shares, “New Remedy is about finding clarity in the middle of confusion. It’s that feeling of wanting to fix something that feels broken, but not knowing exactly how.

There’s a vulnerability in wanting to make things right, and this song explores that
tension. It’s a mix of personal reflection and a kind of quiet desperation for resolution. I think it’s a universal feeling—wanting a “remedy” for what ails you, whether it’s a relationship or just your own inner struggle. In terms of inspiration, it came from a combination of personal experience and the way those emotions often feel heightened in moments of uncertainty. There’s a bit of that ‘80s energy where everything felt
bigger—more dramatic—but also something modern, like trying to capture those feelings in today’s world. It’s kind of like a snapshot of a moment when you’re searching for something that feels like it could fix everything, even if you don’t know exactly what that is.”

Teaming up with long-time collaborators Harri Gilbert and Dave Fulham, the accompanying video for New Remedy perfectly encapsulates the single’s otherworldly sonics, while also channelling its lyrical content through abstract yet entirely fitting visuals. “I came up with the concept and directed the video myself with the help of two pals Harri Gilbert and Dave Fulham,” Atlas Franklin Alexander explains. “The video is a bit of
an abstract reflection of the song’s themes—like an exploration of the different facets of human experience. You’ve got the green man dancing in the kitchen—he’s kind of a symbol for something that’s “other,” something outside the typical norm. There’s the girl who is in love with a robot—representing that strange tension between human connection and the things we create, I’d say in 5-10 years these kind of relationships with robots will become our reality. Then we have the fortune teller, predicting what is all about to unfold, and finally we got the gang of youths and I’m there, singing the song, trying to make sense of it all. It’s about navigating confusion and finding that piece of clarity, even in the midst of chaos.”

An immersive and holistically DIY labour of love, both New Remedy and its overarching body of work, Flexible New Replica, was written, recorded and produced entirely by Atlas Franklin Alexander, with the six tracks all simultaneously standing alone as separate creative journeys, and carrying a sharp yet cohesive creative thread. From its buoyant opener, New Remedy, Flexible New Replica unfurls into percolating 80s
synth wave (Firebird), modern ambience (Crave), lolling atmospheric bliss (Dolphins), ethereal haze built for driving down dark highways at night with the windows rolled down (Young Love) and, ultimately, an uplifting cloud of smooth textures and languid-yet-driving beats via closing track Brighter Days. A deeply engaging collection of tracks that collectively celebrate a retro-future aesthetic, Flexible New Replica is
also firmly helmed from start to finish by this talented artist, with the entirely solo endeavour a soaring reflection of catharsis and self- exploration, as he elaborates, “It is a true DIY project—everything from the writing to the recording to the production came from my home studio, where I’ve always felt most connected to the work. I think there’s something deeply personal and reflective in making music this way.
It’s not about perfection; it’s about honesty. Each instrument is played by me, each decision made with a purpose, even if it’s an imperfect one.

In a way, the song becomes an extension of my environment, my mindset. There’s a certain beauty in the DIY process, in shaping everything from the ground up, even if it’s a little rough around the edges. That’s where the real magic lies for me.” Hailing from Mulubinba/Newcastle, Atlas Alexander Franklin has dazzled with his post-punk and indie pop wiles over the years, layering lashings of imagination across ambient synths and immersive beats in a way that is both fresh and familiar; and entirely fascinating. Releasing his debut EP ENTER ECHO in 2021, Alexander blends raw emotion into his sonic dreamscapes, offering uplifting messaging and relatability along with resplendent catharsis.

And, for Alexander, his musical output is as much a therapy for himself as it is for any of his listeners who venture into his spellbinding creations. “It’s almost like writing music is my form of self-therapy,” shares Alexander. “The drive to understand, to express what’s inside through writing & recording. My song writing came from wanting to create something that was completely real & honest with no outside influences. So yes, it’s definitely like I’m counselling myself through my music lol. I just have always had and will always have this strange impulse to create stuff. Sounds a bit hippie-dippie but music’s always been my way of navigating life, and this project came from wanting to make something completely on my own terms.”

With the imminent release of Flexible New Replica, Atlas Franklin Alexander is also set to embark on a special run of shows in support of the new EP, with the Flexible New Replica Tour visiting Wollongong on March 7, Sydney on March 13 and Melbourne on March 21.

New Remedy is out today.
Flexible New Replica is due out March 13.

Stream: NEW REMEDY
Watch: NEW REMEDY

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