Click here to watch the video, directed by John Paul Burgess & Scott West!
Who: Fronted by songwriter Craig Minowa and named after indigenous North American prophecies, Minnesota collective Cloud Cult blend songs of loss and redemption with environmental themes on their new album Feel Good Ghosts (Tea-Partying Through Tornadoes).
Sounds Like: The instrumental arsenal of the Arcade Fire mixed with the gentle electronic throb of the Postal Service. Feel Good Ghosts is the latest in a series of albums dealing with the death of Minowa's infant son Kaidin in 2002. "This album brings closure to a lot of the storylines involved in the grieving process and moves into a rebirth process," Minowa says. The album's running length and tracklisting is markedly shorter than previous releases because Minowa believes "people now have shorter attention spans."
Vital Stats:
• The band is extremely environmentally conscious: They tour in a biodiesel van, record in a geothermal-powered studio and even printed their liner notes on recycled paper with nontoxic vegetable oils. "My parents drove it into my head that its important to focus on all the living things, humans, plants and animals," Minowa says, "That continued to reverberate through my life and became a natural process."
• The band hopes to release a career-spanning documentary later in the year that'll serve as an in-depth look for old fans and a primer for new fans. "There's footage of the past ten years, so it covers the band from the get-go, and it's also like a look into a Cloud Cult tour, backstage antics and such," says Minowa of the film.
• Of the thirty-six jobs Minowa has had in his career, the strangest was "kids party entertainer." "I used to dress up as cartoon characters for kids' birthday parties. No matter what character I'd dress up, either Barney or Mickey Mouse or Batman, I'd always get abuse. The parents would leave, and then the kids would go all crazy on us." Other finalists include ice cream truck driver, wedding DJ and window handle factory worker.
Hear It Now: Feel Good Ghosts is out now on the non-profit eco-loving Earthology Records. Before walking to your closest record store to pick it up, check out our exclusive premiere of the video for the explosive "Everybody Here Is a Cloud."
Share
Email
Stumble
AIM
Del.icio.us
DiggThis
Fark It!
- Portions of Album Content Provided by All Music Guide © 2009 All Media Guide, LLC.
Get RS Mobile
RSS
Jacob | December 16, 2008 11:34 PM
I like your work
adopt a family christmas | December 15, 2008 2:31 PM
Youarenuts,IsweartoGod
ashli | December 2, 2008 3:47 AM
electric.
amazing.
blissful.
perfect music
Cloud Fan | October 18, 2008 8:33 PM
Want to see something really cool: A production of Twelfth Night in New York is using Cloud Cults music exclusively. It is really fantastic! The music transforms the room to Ilyria and you know how the music moves you. See more information and if you are in NYC buy tickets before its too late
Rostislav Siryk | October 15, 2008 9:09 PM
Greetings from the Ukraine wastelands!
Cloud Cult is the only band I've failed to stop recommending to my fellow live journal friends and readers.
I've got "FGG" album occasionally by copying some mp3s from my friend's flash drive, but now I'm pretty sure I'll go and buy it at their website just because can't resist to the will.
It's a pity they never come to my motherland Ukraine wastelands. Well, so you see I'm forced to relocate to the USA, this comment is the evidence.
Another problem is, how to use 'live sound' term appropriately after you heard the CC!
Erik | June 23, 2008 3:47 PM
I've been waiting to see this band break through for 3 years now and many other have been waiti much longer. Kudos to Craig, Connie and Team Cloud Cult!
scott | May 12, 2008 12:37 AM
As a Beatles fan, I feel CC gives me the same feeling if not better. Sargent Peppers with an edge.
They are as good or better then anything out there. Their concerts are a spiritual feeling. A natural high!
Scott | May 9, 2008 7:21 AM
Both CC and The Alarmists will be at the St. John's Block Party in Rochester, MN on 7/12.
John | April 29, 2008 5:42 PM
Just found out about these guys because they do the theme music for thesneeze website. They really have a great sound with great lyrics. I can't wait to see them in Denver at the Larimer Lounge in May.
Ray | April 28, 2008 12:01 AM
Saw them in Columbus on the 24th. If you haven't had the opportunity to see them live, I suggest you take advantage of it now while they're on tour. It's a truly moving experience, I have never felt more satisfied from a concert. Such genuinely good people, it feels good to buy their albums, tickets, and t-shirts. Best of luck to them, they deserve every good thing that comes to them.
Amber | April 26, 2008 4:28 PM
I am so proud of my friend S. Frid, the violin player and back up singer! If not for her I would not know of cc. Everyday cc keeps my ears and emotions on the happiest of levels! This Band is EXTRODINARY
Jeremy | April 25, 2008 12:09 PM
Just discovered this band...can't believe I've been missing out for so long.
Amazing. Powerful. Wow.
Alex | April 25, 2008 12:35 AM
I have enjoyed Cloud Cult for over two years now. It's great to hear a magazine such as RS pick up on them, but part of me doesn't want them to become the next big thing. It's so great seeing them in a tiny venue such as Neumos or the EMP Sky Church here in Seattle, and I wouldn't like to lose it.
But good luck to the band, I guess, so if making it big is what they want, then power to them.
EyeDfy | April 23, 2008 10:39 AM
Completely awesome band. Excellent, intelligent, soulful lyrics. Talented musicians and artists. Sounded as good live as they do in a studio. Saw them last night in ATL, and wanted it to go twice as long. Definitely, a monumental sound.
David from Milwaukee | April 21, 2008 11:39 PM
Great video CC as always I am truly greatful for your soulfoul melodies that ring true to everyday life. Keep up the awesome work and I look forward to seeing a show soon. Peace,
M&M's, Penuts, and Sleeping Bags.
Maddy | April 21, 2008 7:50 PM
Shooting that video was one of the best days of my life! No band can possibly beat Cloud Cult. Period.
Josh | April 19, 2008 2:41 AM
I've been listening to Cloud Cult for a couple years now, but as much as I love them I still can't believe I've played them twice as often in iTunes (630 times) as the next closest artist, Radiohead (310 times).
Aurora Borealis and Advice from the Happy Hippopotamus are my favorite records, but all of them are good. Now I'm really loving Feel Good Ghosts, too. It's a bit poppier and more concise, yet just as powerful. I don't know how Craig does it.
mplsmn | April 17, 2008 11:31 AM
Sweet! Good to see RS waking up to some Minnesota music, another amazing band that could stir it up from MN is The Alarmists, rock n' roll!