Cloud Cult recently swung through Madison in support of their Tuesday’s Gold stamped release, Feel Good Ghosts (Tea-Partying Through Tornadoes). As a long-time favorite here at MoB, we’re happy to have pinned down Craig Minowa for our continuing 5 Questions with Muzzle of Bees feature.

Could you lend some information on the recording process of Feel Good Ghosts (Tea-Partying Through Tornadoes)? Where and how was it recorded, and were there any lessons learned that you’ll apply towards future recording sessions?

It was recorded at the farm where Connie and I live in northern Minnesota. I have a studio in the basement there with very modest gear. I did most of the writing and recording over the course of a year and then the band came in in early January 2008 to lay their portion. My biggest lesson on this album is that I need to write for myself. I had writer’s block the first couple of months, because I was worried about what reviewers were going to think. It wasn’t until I decided I don’t give a rip that it all came gushing out.

We’re always looking to uncover new favorite artists, are there any band(s)/record(s) that you could recommend to our readers?

I’m totally unhip and don’t listen to indie-rock much. I could recommend some bluegrass, big band music or classical music. I’m an NPR junkie, as well, so that’s all I listen to. I don’t know squat about the indie rock world when it comes to who’s hip and who’s not.

The internet has dramatically altered the way artists can reach an audience. With things like blogs/MySpace/etc, what are your thoughts on the power of the internet in terms of helping (or hurting) your music?

It hurts to see the album get hacked literally thousands of times before it’s even released, but overall, the internet is a big help. We have reached a much wider audience thanks to the internet and digital distribution is the greenest form of making a record. I have big plans for utilizing the internet in creative ways for the next Cloud Cult project. It’s going to be slightly weird and definitely experimental, so stay tuned…

If you were to play an entire set of someone else’s songs, whose material would you choose and/or enjoy playing the most?

Nick Drake. I’d be filled with total peace when the set is over.

I admire your environmentally conscious approach to your recording and touring. What advice or suggestions could you make to any up-and-coming groups that want to lessen their impact on the world as they begin their careers in the music industry?

You can help green your tour with less money than you’d think. www.nativeenergy.com has a great online calculator for making sure your energy is green and americanforests.org also has a calculator for planting enough trees to absorb your co2. Also think about your merchandise. It costs more to go organic and 100% post consumer recycled, but you need to run your business in the way you’d hope the Exxons and Monsantos of the world run theirs. We point the finger at them for all the crud they make, but when we run our own business, if we don’t make green choices, we’re no less guilty.

Myspace: Cloud Cult
MP3: Cloud Cult - “Everybody Here Is A Cloud”

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