A genre that I find myself coming back to time and time again is progressive rock, especially when it’s melancholic, dark, and emotionally heavy. I find comfort in the music of Opeth, Anathema, and Katatonia, giving myself entirely into their beautiful yet mournful, pensive melodies.

That’s what drew me into French progressive rockers Klone, who take inspiration from the above bands but still manage to create their own unique sound, one that offers just as much beauty and delight. And with their new album Here Comes The Sun, the band continues to evolve and grow their sound, taking it in new and wonderful directions.

To celebrate this release, we caught up with guitarist Guillaume Bernard to discuss the new album, how the band writes their material, who they’d want for a “dream collaboration”, and more. You can read this exclusive interview below.

The band recently announced that they will be opening for Devin Townsend on several European tour dates. More information can be found here. Make sure to also order your copy of Here Comes The Sun via iTunes.

‘Here Comes The Sun’ is the band’s fifth full length album. Describe this journey, both as musicians and how you each grew as well as for the music itself and
how it has changed over the years.

Klone is a band who don’t want to play the same music. At the beginning we were more influenced by metal band with a rock grungy touch. We learn to play music together and we decided to experiment all what is possible, like to include saxophones, harp, etc.. Over the years the music became more and more atmospheric and today we totally assume the rock progressive sides of the music. Here Comes The Sun is for us our best album with mature composition. We wanted something intense and deep.

You covered “Summertime”, one of the most recognizable songs in music history. What was it about this particular song that made you want to craft your own take on it?

This is a song I learn at school when I was young, and the melody still turn around in my head over the years. We decided to put a new blow on it and to work on the bluesy side of this music. It was a big challenge for us to do this cover and we’re really proud of it!

Your music is incredibly layered and textured. Being a band for nearly 20 years, I’m sure that you’ve all learned how to write with each other. But can you explain to me
a little bit about how you go about writing a song?

I’m the principal composer since the beginning of a band. I learn a lot of things listening to a lot of different music as classical music. I like to let my instinct guide me for that and I don’t like when the song writing process is not natural. Yann [Ligner] write his lyrics listening to the Klone’s music. The music inspire him a lot, and he’s like a painter who try to describe the music putting words on it.

I feel like there is a strong feeling of melancholy and nostalgia throughout the music of ‘Here Comes The Sun’. What do you take inspiration from in order to reach the
write mindset when writing Klone music?

You’re right! I take inspiration everywhere, when I’m walking on the street for example, ideas come in my head. There is also things in my personal life who touch me and finally I transform all this feeling in my music. Nowadays, the mood in the world his really dark, and that also touch me. I like the idea that the music have to describe the world where we live.

Considering that you’ve release so much material over the past decade, I’m guessing there is already material for a new album. What do you think the next Klone album
will sound like?

I think it’s too early to answer you about that… The only thing I can tell you is the point of beginning for the new album will be the last song of ‘Here Comes The Sun’, “The Last Experience”. I want something very heavy, dark, and ambient!

Some of the bands that you apparently take inspiration from are many of my favorites, such as Anathema, Porcupine Tree, Opeth, Katatonia, etc… If you could collaborate with any musicians on material for your next album, who would be some of your dream choices?

I really like to have special guest for the next album. Why not Devin Townsend, the singer of Anathema, or Opeth!

Klone online:
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