Chase Atlantic isn't your average pop-rock outfit. Built by brothers Mitchell and Clinton Cave alongside longtime collaborator Christian Anthony, the Australian trio crafts dark, hypnotic alt-R&B that blends saxophone solos, trap beats, and cinematic synth-pop. They write, produce, and mix nearly everything themselves, turning a DIY bedroom project into a global touring juggernaut.
Understanding Chase Atlantic means looking past the aesthetic and straight at the core lineup. While touring members like Jesse Boyle and Patrick Wilde bring the live shows to life, the three permanent masterminds control every creative decision. Here's a breakdown of the actual faces behind the phenomenon and how their distinct roles shaped the band's signature sound.
Mitchell Cave: Lead Vocals and Bass
Mitchell Cave serves as the face and primary vocal engine of Chase Atlantic. His smooth, breathy delivery and distinctive falsetto anchor the band's moody atmosphere, moving effortlessly between hypnotic R&B cadences and driving alternative rock hooks.
Beyond singing, Mitchell handles bass guitar, injecting a heavy, groove-oriented bottom end into tracks like Swim and Friends. His visual styling and stage presence drive the band's high-fashion, grunge-inspired aesthetic. Before forming Chase Atlantic, he briefly played in a pop-punk band called What About Tonight, an experience that helped him understand the inner workings of the commercial music industry early on.
Clinton Cave: Lead Guitar, Saxophone, and Production
If Mitchell is the voice, Clinton Cave is the sonic architect. As the oldest of the core trio, Clinton acts as the primary producer, multi-instrumentalist, and engineer. He records and mixes most of their catalog in a home studio setup, giving the band absolute creative freedom without label interference.
Clinton's signature weapon is the saxophone. While most modern alt-pop acts rely strictly on guitars and synths, he weaves soaring, distorted saxophone solos into dark electronic soundscapes. This unexpected jazz-infused instrumentation became an immediate trademark of the band's identity on tracks like Into It. He also plays lead guitar and programs the intricate drum and synth loops that drive their tracks.
Christian Anthony: Rhythm Guitar and Vocals
Christian Anthony rounds out the core trio as a rhythm guitarist and secondary vocalist. His harmonies and complementary vocal styling give depth to Mitchell's lead lines, creating the lush, layered vocal stacks that define their choruses.
Anthony brings a vital songwriting perspective, collaborating closely with the Cave brothers during late-night studio sessions. His guitar work provides the rhythmic backbone for their heavier live arrangements, bridging the gap between studio electronic production and raw rock energy. Like Mitchell, Anthony has a background in early Australian teen pop projects, but together they pivoted sharply toward a darker, edgeless sound that resonated globally.
The Touring Lineup: Bringing the Studio to the Stage
While Mitchell, Clinton, and Christian write and record everything in the studio, they rely on touring musicians to replicate their layered electronic soundscapes live.
- Jesse Boyle: Handles rhythm guitar and additional instrumentation during live shows, allowing the core members to focus on vocals and performance.
- Patrick Wilde: Manages live drums, replacing programmed studio percussion with a heavy, physical pulse that elevates their arena and festival sets.
How Chase Atlantic Formed
The band's origin story began in Cairns, Queensland, before moving to Sydney. The Cave brothers and Christian Anthony initially formed a pop-rock band called Kyson in 2011, releasing acoustic covers and original tracks online.
By 2014, they officially rebranded as Chase Atlantic, ditching their bubblegum roots for a darker, genre-bending palette. They released their debut EP Dalliance in 2014, followed by Paradise in 2016. That same year, they caught the attention of Good Charlotte's Benji and Joel Madden, who signed them to the independent label MDDN. Their self-titled debut studio album dropped in 2017, cementing their breakout status with hits like Friends.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are the Chase Atlantic members brothers?
Two of them are. Mitchell Cave and Clinton Cave are brothers, while Christian Anthony is a lifelong friend who grew up with them in Australia.
Who produces Chase Atlantic's music?
Clinton Cave produces, mixes, and masters the vast majority of their music. The band operates entirely on a DIY production model, handling their engineering out of private home studios.
Where is Chase Atlantic from?
The band originated in Cairns, Queensland, Australia, and later based their operations out of Los Angeles as their international fanbase grew.
What genre is Chase Atlantic?
They cross multiple genres, blending alternative R&B, dark pop, trap, indie rock, and psychedelic electronica. They don't stick to a single box, which defines their unpredictable catalog.
