A Chat with Cloud (27.09.13)
After the release of well-received Comfort Songs, 20-something singer/producer Cloud is now in LA pursuing a career in……screenwriting. The acclaimed indie rocker took some time out of his busy life to answer a few questions for The Other Side Reviews’ Nicole Mendes. This is what he had to say:
OSR: How did the name ‘Cloud’ come about?
Cloud: It came about through a friend. It was her childhood nickname and I loved her at the time.
OSR: Do you have any musical influences? If so, what or who?
Cloud: Of course. I have a few musical personas that I look up to in such a way that I want to incorporate their attributes into my own life. More than someone is technically or even creatively profound, what I look up to is a strong personality that instils hope and fearlessness. Here are some personal heroes; Jonathan Richman, Noah Lennox, Kate Bush, Thich Nhat Hanh, Louis Armstrong, Ibrahim Ferrer, Nujabes, Bob Marley, Keith Girdler and more.
OSR: You released Comfort Songs last month, what was the inspiration behind the album?
Cloud: The inspiration was a horrible low point guised by romantic love. But it wasn’t exactly “woe is me” desperation, instead, it was, “what’s really going on here?”
OSR: Are you happy with the album and how it was received?
Cloud: Yes very much. I wrote it in 2011-2012 and released it with Audio Anti Hero this summer in 2013. Having said that, I now observe it from a removed standpoint. See it for what it is. I’m proud of it, I can even enjoy listening to it which isn’t always the case with music I’ve created. I think most people connect to it in the way I was hopeful for.
OSR: Do you have a favourite track off the album? If so, which is it?
Cloud: Hmm. Not really. I have a couple of moments in the album that I love the most. For instance, the first notes of ‘Authorless Novel’ and that entire transition is something I’m really proud of. I also love the end of ‘A Light Wish Weighs A Lot’ leading into ‘Desperation Club.’
OSR: I understand you are pursuing screenwriting. Is this something you’ve wanted to do for a while?
Cloud: Yeah, for years and years. Now I’m in LA and having a fun time working a coffee job, screenwriting for my own portfolio and even making my first short film. I’m actually procrastinating on writing a feature film in a public library… right now.
OSR: What was your favourite television show as a child and do you still enjoy that show today?
Cloud: Easily Hey Arnold!. It’s a work of art. People have told me that they made decisions in their childhood and teenage years based on that show. That’s what it’s all about. I enjoy it even more today. I also love The Adventures of Pete and Pete. I’d love to meet the creators.
OSR: Can we expect any recordings or performances from you anytime soon, or has that been put on the shelf for the time being?
Cloud: I’ve just finished and am in the fine tuning phases of my fourth solo record entitled Zen Summer. I think it’ll be 11 tracks with a 5 song EP of leftover tracks. I’m hoping to release it around spring of 2014 so people can get pumped on summertime coming up. I’m looking for places to play in Los Angeles, but when you book your own shows no-one cares about your band unless they’re your friend or something. So, no shows yet.
OSR: If you could describe your music using only three words, what would they be?
Cloud: Honesty, friendship, and hope.
OSR: If you could collaborate with any musician, alive or dead, who would it be and why?
Cloud: Well I don’t really ever “jam” with people unless it’s someone I’m hanging out with and that’s just what we’ve decided to do together. I’d love to collaborate with someone like Liam Lynch where maybe we’d get to work together on some goofy video that incorporated some music we’ve created. That’d be awesome.
OSR: Thank you for talking to us! Best of luck with the future.
Cloud: Thank you, The Other Side Reviews!!
Cloud’s album can be found on the Audio Antiheroes website. CLICK HERE to listen to Comfort Songs.
