Cloud Cult

Cloud Cult, an experimental indie rock band, originated in 1995 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, under the leadership of singer-songwriter Craig Minowa. The band’s name draws inspiration from ancient indigenous North American prophecies. From its inception, Cloud Cult opted for self-publishing their music, eschewing traditional record label offers. A distinctive element of their early live shows was the inclusion of live painting by Connie Minowa and Scott West, with completed artworks auctioned off at the end of each performance. In 1997, Craig Minowa established Earthology Records from his organic farm. This non-profit label operates using geothermal energy and utilizes recycled materials, with all profits dedicated to environmental charities. The band further demonstrates their commitment to environmentalism by touring in a biodiesel van.

The band’s trajectory was significantly impacted by the unexpected death of Minowa’s two-year-old son, Kaidin, in 2002. This personal tragedy led Minowa to channel his grief into songwriting, culminating in the 2003 album ‘They Live on the Sun.’ This album achieved commercial success, reaching number one on college radio charts nationwide. In 2004, Cloud Cult expanded its lineup with the addition of Mara Stemm on bass and later released ‘Aurora Borealis.’ This album earned a nomination for “Album of the Year” at the Minnesota Music Awards, alongside renowned artists such as Prince and Paul Westerberg. Following this, their 2005 release, ‘Advice from the Happy Hippopotamus,’ garnered critical acclaim, with Pitchfork Media describing it as “insane genius” and assigning it an 8.3 rating. The Denver Post recognized their 2007 album, ‘The Meaning of 8,’ as one of the top ten albums of the preceding decade, placing it alongside works by prominent bands like Modest Mouse, The Flaming Lips, and Radiohead.

Cloud Cult continued to release music independently, including ‘Feel Good Ghosts (Tea-Partying Through Tornadoes)’ in 2008, recorded at Minowa’s organic farm. Despite an initial contemplation of indefinite hiatus in 2008, the band released a full-length documentary, ‘No One Said It Would Be Easy,’ in 2009. They resumed touring after a brief break for family in 2010 and released ‘Light Chasers’ in the same year. Their music gained broader exposure through television placements, including ‘You Were Born’ in an episode of ‘How I Met Your Mother’ in 2012, and ‘Good Friend’ in ‘Cougar Town’ in 2014. The band’s 2016 album, ‘The Seeker,’ was a concept album accompanied by a feature film starring Josh Radnor and Alex McKenna. Cloud Cult has maintained an active recording and performing schedule, receiving a star on the outside mural of First Avenue nightclub in Minneapolis, an honor for artists contributing significantly to the local culture.