Cloud Control
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 2007 |
| Headquarters | Blue Mountains, Sydney , Australia |
| Products | Music albums, singles, EPs |
Cloud Control is an alternative rock group originating from the Blue Mountains region near Sydney, Australia. Throughout much of their early career, they were affiliated with the Australian label Ivy League Records, under which they launched their first album, Bliss Release. The band also collaborated with Infectious Music for the UK and European markets, Humming Records in Germany, and Votiv in North America. Their work earned them several nominations at Australian music award ceremonies, including two ARIA Music Awards, and they secured the Australian Music Prize in 2011 for Bliss Release.
Throughout the 2010s, Cloud Control toured alongside both domestic and international artists such as Arcade Fire, Vampire Weekend, Supergrass, The Magic Numbers, The Temper Trap, and Weezer.
2007–2012: Origins and Bliss Release
Cloud Control was formed in 2007 initially to compete in a university battle of the bands contest. Despite limited experience in songwriting at the time, they quickly advanced and won the competition on their second try. Their debut EP, titled Cloud Control, was released in November 2007 with several songs shared on Triple J Unearthed.
After signing with Ivy League Records in 2008, they issued their debut single "Death Cloud" that November. Following performances at various festivals and tours supporting Australian acts, they recorded their first full-length album, Bliss Release, in producer Liam Judson’s home studio. The track "There's Nothing In The Water We Can't Fight" reached number 18 on the Triple J Hottest 100 of 2010, while "Gold Canary" was selected as Single of the Week on BBC Radio 6 Music's Rebel Playlist in the UK that same year.
2013–2018: Dream Cave and Zone
Their sophomore album, Dream Cave, was released on 9 August 2013 and attained a peak position of number 9 on the ARIA charts. An acoustic rendition titled Dream Cave Unplugged was offered for free on 8 October 2013 and subsequently became available for purchase on Apple Music by February 2014.
On 3 January 2015, bassist Jeremy Kelshaw announced his departure from the band through their official Facebook page.
The third studio release, Zone, came out on 1 September 2017. Composed in a modest beach house near Forster, NSW, it has been characterized as simultaneously profound yet playful, euphoric yet conceptual. This album reached number 53 on the ARIA Charts.
Cloud Control quietly disbanded in 2018. Subsequently, Alister Wright began a solo endeavor named Vlossom, while Heidi Lenffer embarked on entrepreneurial activities heading FEAT.
2025: Reunion
In 2025, Cloud Control revealed plans for a reunion tour commemorating the fifteenth anniversary of their debut album Bliss Release.
Band members
- Alister ("Al") Wright – lead vocals, guitar (2005–2018, 2025–present)
- Heidi Lenffer – keyboards, backing vocals, percussion (2005–2018, 2025–present)
- Ulrich Lenffer – drums, percussion, backing vocals (2005–2018, 2025–present)
- Jeremy Kelshaw – bass guitar, backing vocals, percussion (2005–2015, 2025–present)
- Former members
- Doug Wright – bass guitar (2017–2018)
Studio albums
| Album Title | Release Information | Highest Chart Rankings | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | United Kingdom | UK Independent | ||
| Bliss Release |
|
19 | 136 | 17 |
| Dream Cave |
|
9 | - | 29 |
| Zone |
|
53 | - | - |
Other albums
| Album Title | Release Details |
|---|---|
| Dream Cave Unplugged |
|
Extended plays
| EP Title | Release Information |
|---|---|
| Cloud Control |
|
Singles
| Year | Single Title | Chart Ranking | Certifications | Associated Album |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK physical sales | ||||
| 2008 | "Death Cloud" | 50 | Bliss Release | |
| 2009 | "Gold Canary" | 37 | ||
| 2010 | "This Is What I Said" | 52 | ||
| "There's Nothing In The Water We Can't Fight" | 35 |
| ||
| "Meditation Song No. 2 (Why Oh Why)" | 88 | |||
| 2011 | "My Fear #1" | — | ||
| 2013 | "Dojo Rising" | — | Dream Cave | |
| "Scar" | — | |||
| "Promises" | — | |||
| 2014 | "Moon Rabbit" | — | ||
| 2017 | "Rainbow City" | — | Zone | |
| "Zone (This Is How It Feels)" | — | |||
| "Treetops" | — | |||
| 2018 | "Panopticon" | — |
AIR Awards
The Australian Independent Record Awards (AIR Awards) are held annually to honor achievements within Australia's independent music industry.
|- | rowspan="3"| 2010 | rowspan=2 | the band | Best Independent Artist | |- | Breakthrough Independent Artist | |- | Bliss Release | Best Independent Album | |-
ARIA Music Awards
The ARIA Music Awards recognize outstanding achievement and creativity within various Australian music styles. Cloud Control earned two nominations.
|- | rowspan="2"| 2010 | rowspan="2"| Bliss Release | Breakthrough Artist | |- | Best Rock Album | |-
Australian Music Prize
Each year, the Australian Music Prize grants $30,000 to an Australian musician in acknowledgment of exceptional album quality.
|- | 2010 | Bliss Release | Australian Music Prize | |- | 2013 | Dream Cave | Australian Music Prize | |-
J Awards
The J Awards, initiated by ABC's Triple J, annually honor excellence in Australian music.
|- | 2010 | Bliss Release | Australian Album of the Year | |- | 2013 | Dream Cave | Australian Album of the Year | |-