CLOUD CULT - INTERVIEW
June 07, 2008,
Written by The 405
Formed in 1995, Cloud Cult started out as the main solo project for singer songwriter Craig Minowa but soon enough more musicians got added and became the band we see today. With quite a few releases under their belt, Cloud Cult have steadily grown a big fan base releasing albums through Craig Minowa's own record label, Earthology Records.
We decided to get in touch with Craig Minowa to find out more about his fantastic band and thus the interview was born!
Firstly, congratulations on your latest release! How are you feeling about the record now that it's out there for everybody to hear?
Thanks. We're really happy with how it has been received. The live shows have been particularly exhilarating, because you can feel a heightened energy in the crowd.Are you enjoying playing the new songs live?
It feels great. The album was focused on boosting the positive energy, and we can feel that at that live shows.
How crucial do you feel the college radio scene helped you out in your early days?
It was highly crucial. Commercial radio is no place for an indie band with no budget. College radio is totally democratic. You chart well if the DJs like your stuff enough to play it. DJs can usually play anything they want, so if you write something they like, they'll play it.
How did Earthology Records come about and what are the struggles you face as independent record label?
It was born to help develop ecological models for the music industry. It's nice to stay independent, although it's difficult to compete with the marketing budgets of even the mid-size record companies.
Your touring schedule is pretty intense. What are the chances of you playing over here in England soon?
We'd love to get over there. We're just waiting for there to be a enough demand.
How did your name come about?
It's in reference to a sect of prophecies discussing the importance of balancing spirituality with technology motivations and the natural world.
Tell us one thing about the band that not many people would know.
99% of the music is written, recorded and produced by one guy in a low budget basement of an old farm house in northern Minnesota. You don't need money to make music.
Visit Cloud Cult here!
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1 response so far...
Oliver
One of the most under appreciated bands around
danny - 12/03/10
This is absolute, unmitigated, GENIUS. Contender for my favourite video ever I think! Absolutely sick song too, prefer it to Ambling Alp fo sho. [view article]
danny - 12/03/10
This girl is amaaaazing! [view article]
duncan - 12/03/10
Nirvana, mainly because they were over and done with before I was musically conscious so Dave Grohl couldn't ruin them for me by how intrinsically annoying he is. [view article]
Will - 12/03/10
We are including all his musical directions in the debate, which is why we're discussing whether he was better in Foo Fighters or Probot also. Facts are he is a better drummer than he is a guitarist or vocalist, and as we're debating which band he was best in rather than which band he made the best, he thus performed better in Nirvana and QOTSA. To repeat what some of the others have said, he's been good in Foos and had a lot of fame, but hasn't been nearly as influential or impressive as in the bands beforehand. [view article]
Aaron - 11/03/10
Sure, but since Grohl has played his hand at many different musical directions its important to include all of them in this debate in order to find out when he was at his best. Otherwise It'd be a debate about when he was the best drummer... For the record, I do think he's a really good drummer. But doesn't it take a little something away from QOTSA as a band and Grohl himself, if were just going to consider his one off involvement with the group as his crowning moment? I've always been a fan of that band, way before Grohl ever did SFTD with them and though he was a great addition, it's not like the album was carried on his drumming alone. QOTSA are an awesome band regardless of whether Grohl played with them or not. [view article]