(Artist Report)

Written by: Ginny Gaines

Cloud Cult, an indie rock band from St. Cloud, Minnesota, has found a spot in the music world with their experimental sound, thought-provoking lyrics, and immersive live performances. Led by singer-songwriter Craig Minowa, the band's music is a blend of alternative rock, indie folk, and pop, often incorporating elements of classical music and ambient sounds. Cloud Cult was formed in 1995 by singer-songwriter Craig Minowa. At the time, Minowa was working on solo music projects and had a deep passion for environmental science, which would later influence the band’s direction. Cloud Cult started as a solo project, with Minowa recording his own material. However, after the tragic loss of his two-year-old son, Kaidin, in 2002, the project took on a new direction. Minowa’s grief became a significant driving force behind the band's deeply emotional and reflective music.

The band's early years were marked by a DIY spirit and a commitment to artistic independence. They self-released their music and toured extensively, building a dedicated following through their energetic live shows. Cloud Cult's distinctive sound, characterized by Minowa's soulful vocals, complex arrangements, and inward looking lyrics, resonated with audiences and critics alike. One of the band's most striking features is their incorporation of visual art into their live performances. During concerts, two painters create original artwork on large canvases, their strokes synchronized with the music. This multimedia experience adds a layer of depth and visual interest to their shows, engaging audiences on many levels.

In 2001, Cloud Cult released their album titled Who Killed Puck? This album has 14 songs on it that include "Where It Starts," "Conception," "Sane As Can Be," "6 Days To Madness," "Who Killed The Puck," and "Close." This album introduced them to the World and helped them to build a fanbase. The band released their next album titled They Live on the Sun in 2003. This album has 16 tracks on it that include "On The Sun," "Moon's Thoughts," "Your Love Will Live Forever," and "Took You For Granted. This brought the band to an even wider audience. In 2004, Cloud Cult released their album titled Aurora Borealis. This album has 10 songs on it that include "Breakfast With My Shadow," "All Together Alone," "Northern Lights," and "Beautiful Boy." This album was well received.

Cloud Cult released their album titled Advise from the Happy Hippopotamus in 2005. This album has 25 tracks on it that include "Intro," Happy Hippo," "What Comes at the End," "Training Wheels," "Lucky Today," and "Rockwell." This album was extremely well received and was called "insane genius by Pitchfork Media. In 2007, the band released their next album The Meaning of 8. This album has 19 songs on it that include "Chain Reaction," "Please Remain Calm," "Your 8th Birthday," "A Good God," "Hope," and "Song of the Deaf Girl." They released their album titled Feel Good Ghosts (Tea-Partying Through Tornadoes). This album has 13 tracks on it that include "No One Said It Would Be Easy," "The Tornado Lessons," "Must Explore," "May Your Hearts Stay Strong," and "Love You All." This album was recorded on a small farm out in the country in Northern Minnesota.

In 2010, the band released their album titled Light Chasers. This album has 16 songs on it that include "Today We Give Ourselves to the Fire," "You Were Born," "The Exploding People," "Running With the Wolves," "Forces Unseen," and "Dawn." They went on to release their next album titled Love in 2013. This album has 13 tracks on it to include "It's Your Decision," "All Things We Couldn't See," "Good Friend," "It Takes a Lot," and "The Show Starts Now." In 2016, Cloud Cult released their 10th album titled The Seeker. This has 13 songs on it that include "Living in Awe," "Days to Remember," "Come Home," "You Never Were Alone," and "Through the Ages." This album was crowd funded. They released one song a week.

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