The band's founder and singer Craig Minowa has a degree in Environmental Science, and his environmental, political, and social awareness is reflected in much of Cloud Cult's music. (Note: Craig Minowa actually has stated he intentionally doesn't sing about environmental awareness because he lives it...he doesn't need to preach it) The band's self-created non-profit record label, Earthology Records, uses the most environmentally friendly methods available to ensure minimum damage to the environment.
After two solo LP's, The Shade Project (1995), and Who Killed Puck? (2000), Minowa's sudden loss of his two-year-old son and subsequent separation from his wife, Cloud Cult emerged with They Live On The Sun in 2003, combining concepts of Minowa with performances by cellist Sarah Young and drummer Dan Greenwood, who shortly became members of the band. This album was deeply personal and painful album for Cloud Cult and you don't often hear songs from it in concert.
Minowa continued to use music to cope with the loss of his son on the following album Aurora Borealis. This album did begin to branch out more into exploration of pain and loss instead of just feeling it.
Minowa reunited with his wife, and the next album is widely considered their crowning achievement. Advice From The Happy Hippopotamus involved collaboration from a variety of musicians and has garnered praise from critics, even being acclaimed as "a work of insane genius". This album is capped off with the "happy-go-lucky" song, Lucky Today. This album was selected by esurance to be animated into a commercial. This was a contest for the most environmentally sound band because esurance labels themselves as the paperless insurance provider.
On April 10th 2007 Cloud Cult officially released their sixth LP, The Meaning of 8 (although it was available for sale online in late January): the first single was titled "Take Your Medicine." In April 2008, the band followed it with Feel Good Ghosts.
In 2009 band announced a break till 2010, though they released limited re-releases of their albums Lost Songs from the Lost Years, They Live on the Sun and Aurora Borealis (the last two as a double-disc).
Their concerts are certainly a sight to be seen. Along with Minowa on Guitars (and other fun things), they have got bass, drums, violin and cello. There are two official band members who actually do very little music during the shows; Minowa's wife Connie and Scott are painters. They create original works of art during the show (breaking only occasionally to sing or sometimes Scott plays Trumpet). Then, at the end of the show, they silent auction these paintings off to the highest bidder.
Their official website is www.cloudcult.com.
Where it Starts
Cloud Cult Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I found god when I was twelve with my cousin, trying to get a buzz from shots of Lysterine.
I found god in a Dr.Suess book
I found god in a dirty magazine
I found god in the words of Steve Miller: I really your peaches, wanna shake your tree
I found god on a Wednesday afternoon, drinking boxed one and wishing you would call me
I found god in the middle of the woods, spitting at the stars and making love to a tree
I found god in a bag of weed
I found god in the back of my head: Too scared to even talk to you, but dreaming you would marry me
I could find god if I could taste you
I could find god if you'd lay down next to me
I could find god in your secret places
I could find god if you'd only talk to me
I found god in the back of my head: too scared to even talk to you, but dreaming you would marry me
I found god in the words of Steve Miller: I really your peaches, wanna shake your tree
The lyrics to Cloud Cult's song "Where it Starts" touch on the concept of finding God or spirituality in unexpected places or situations. The first verse mentions finding God "at the stroke of midnight with your tongue in my mouth, on New Year's Eve" and "when I was twelve with my cousin, trying to get a buzz from shots of Lysterine." These lines suggest that moments of intimacy or experimentation can lead to spiritual experiences or realizations. In the next few lines, the singer mentions finding God in a children's book, in a dirty magazine, and in the lyrics of a Steve Miller song. These examples suggest that spirituality can come from unexpected sources and doesn't necessarily have to be found in traditionally "holy" places.
The second verse continues with this theme by mentioning finding God "drinking boxed wine and wishing you would call me" and "spitting at the stars and making love to a tree." These lines suggest that spiritual experiences can come from both loneliness and connection with nature. In the next few lines, the singer mentions finding God when they quit smoking cigarettes and in a bag of weed. These lines suggest that breaking bad habits or altering one's state of consciousness can lead to spiritual experiences or insights. The final lines of the song repeat the previous mention of finding God in the words of Steve Miller and add the line "I could find God if I could taste you," which further emphasizes the idea that unexpected things or experiences can lead to spiritual realizations.
Overall, the lyrics of "Where it Starts" suggest that spirituality can come from unexpected places or situations and doesn't necessarily have to be found in traditionally "holy" places or practices. The song encourages listeners to be open to experiences and to view even mundane or taboo things as potentially spiritual.
Line by Line Meaning
I found god at the stroke of midnight with your tongue in my mouth, on New Year's Eve
I had a moment of incredible passion that made me feel connected to something greater than myself.
I found god when I was twelve with my cousin, trying to get a buzz from shots of Lysterine.
I first experienced the feeling of transcendence while trying to get drunk with a family member.
I found god in a Dr.Suess book
I found meaning and wisdom in a children's book that spoke to me on a deeper level.
I found god in a dirty magazine
I connected with something spiritual while looking at pornography, perhaps experiencing a sense of shame or guilt that brought me closer to a higher power.
I found god in the words of Steve Miller: I really your peaches, wanna shake your tree
Even something as seemingly superficial as a rock song contained a message that resonated with me on a spiritual level.
I found god on a Wednesday afternoon, drinking boxed wine and wishing you would call me
In a moment of loneliness and longing, I felt a sense of divine presence that gave me comfort and hope.
I found god in the middle of the woods, spitting at the stars and making love to a tree
Through a combination of nature and sexuality, I had a spiritually transformative experience that brought me closer to a higher power.
I found god when I quit smoking cigarettes
Giving up a harmful habit was a spiritual awakening for me, leading me to a greater sense of purpose and meaning in life.
I found god in a bag of weed
Marijuana helped me access a deeper understanding of the universe, and the feelings of interconnectedness that go along with it.
I found god in the back of my head: Too scared to even talk to you, but dreaming you would marry me
My unrequited love for someone was so intense that it took on a spiritual dimension, giving me a sense of purpose and meaning in life despite my overwhelming fear and insecurity.
I could find god if I could taste you
The intense pleasure of physical attraction has the power to transcend the senses and connect us with a higher power.
I could find god if you'd lay down next to me
The intimacy of physical contact has the power to connect us with something greater than ourselves.
I could find god in your secret places
The vulnerability of opening up to someone has the power to reveal deeper truths about ourselves and the universe.
I could find god if you'd only talk to me
Communication and connection with others are essential components of spiritual growth and enlightenment.
Contributed by Max T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.