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The funny thing about Cloud Cult (if I’m allowed to say there’s anything funny about a resolutely green band whose output consists of melodramatic songs mourning the 2002 death of leader Craig Minowa’s child) is that, in a time where record labels desperate for income are signing bands to 360 deals, the band has fine artists listed among its members solely so everyone can share in the profits from paintings that are created during the live performance and auctioned after the show. “I definitely make less money, but I’m looking at it as an investment in the entire business,” says Scott West, the band’s first painter-in-residence.
Like most groups on tour, Cloud Cult is usually paid a percentage of the amount the venue collects through ticket sales. While that percentage varies widely, the group’s take has been averaging about $1,000, according to manager Adrian Young. That barely covers the band’s daily touring expenses, which usually include two or three hotel rooms and at least $100 to gas up the two vans carrying the seven-person band and up to six other crew and family members.
With rising gas and food prices straining the budget on the band’s ongoing 27-stop tour, other revenue streams are crucial. At the merchandise table total sales of $12 CDs and $20 T-shirts have been averaging $500 a night. Paintings have fetched at least $250 each. Last month at the High Noon Saloon in Madison, Wis., a fan who’d been thwarted previously paid $2,500 for a work by Ms. Minowa. All this is pushing the band into the black. On its first tours Cloud Cult lost money or broke even. But Mr. Young estimates the band will complete its tour this month with about $25,000 profit after everyone receives their cut.
Maybe, once Mr. West has reaped the benefits of the band’s publicity machine, he’ll break free and start releasing his work online.
Taking Art-Rock Literally [WSJ]
cloud cult – breakfast with my shadow [YouTube]
Wow, having spent 4 years boozing and occasionally grooving at High Noon Saloon I wouldn’t have pegged it as the kind of scene where a patron would drop 2k on a painting.
On a side note, can a song be melodramatic if its about their child’s death? Wouldn’t it just be dramatic?
@GhostOfDuane: not necessarily. Having not really listened to these guys, but rather making a guess based on art, it’s entirely possible that their songs can be melodramatic. The word itself has gotten a bad rap for some reason, but it just means to convey emotion by exaggerating or using relatable situations. Since people generally like to create a “hot” medium by making their songs, movies, etc. have a situational connection to the audience, creating melodrama is acceptable. Being melodramatic is ok, it just sounds inherently put-downish.
Or, another way to look at it is that 1 or 2 songs about a kid dying is dramatic perhaps, many albums-worth ventures into melodramatic.
@GhostOfDuane: the dude repeatedly yells out his son’s name on the track “your 8th birthday,” released last year, which I think could be considered melodramatic.
@Stafford: @Anthony Miccio: fair ‘nough. that does sound pretty dramatic anthony. where do we draw the line though – is Tears In Heaven melodrama? what about Tonight’s The Night?