Cloud Cult Preps Reissues, Plans Tour

Hard to find early albums to be remixed and remastered as a double CD.

By Blurt Staff

Not long ago we filled you in on the unusual documentary about Minnesota band Cloud Cult, titled No One Said It Would Be Easy: A Film About Cloud Cult and directed by John Paul Burgess. Now word comes that on December 8^th Cloud Cult will release a double-disc reissue of They Live on the Sun (2003) and Aurora Borealis (2004) - two of their earliest albums.  These two home recorded releases have been re-envisioned, remixed and remastered for the first time by Cloud Cult's Craig Minowa and this special double-disc release will contain previously unreleased bonus tracks.   The albums, which are now out of print and could only be purchased at live gigs and select Independent record stores, will be available for the first time nationwide and fans can take advantage of a presale on the band's web site in late November (www.cloudcult.com).

Minowa created these albums during 18 months of seclusion at his Northern Minnesota organic farm after his two-year-old son passed away unexpectedly in 2002.   Originally released on the band's own Earthology Records, they were mainly available on a local level due to a shoe-string credit card budget.  Despite the limited distribution, They Live on the Sun landed on Pitchfork's 2004 Year-End "Found Sound column" and was put into rotation at KEXP, while Aurora Borealis climbed to the Top 5 on KEXP.  In addition, both albums found fans at college radio across the US.

All of the attention these early albums received helped this Minneapolis band break out onto the national scene and it only seems fitting that they reissue these releases as the band is gearing up to hit the road in Spring of 2010 after taking their longest break from touring in 6 years.  A self -imposed hiatus, the break gave Craig and his wife Connie time to adjust to being parents again as they welcomed a new addition to their family this October. 

Cloud Cult has gone on to sell more than 30,000 copies of its follow-up releases, despite turning down major label offers along the way.   In addition, they've just ended a very busy year where they played Coachella for the first time, made their late night TV debut on Last Call with Carson Daly and co-headlined a nationwide tour with Margot and The Nuclear So and So's.   Following the reissue this Winter and the Spring 2010 tour, the band is gearing up for a new album release in the Fall of 2010