The 90’s were a golden era for Australian Music, with a swag of Indie acts emerging from the cultural cringe that was the 80’s. (Although some 80’s stuff was pretty damn good!)
The Clouds brought something different to the party, in that their sound consisted of two talented women with exceptional harmonies and wispy, sometimes grungy songs that hooked you in immediately. With the release of Penny Century in 1991, the group hit the charts and the fans couldn’t get enough of them.
Almost 30 years later, the classic line-up of Jodi Phillis (Guitar/Vocals), Trish Young (Bass/Vocals), Dave Easton (Guitar), and Raphael Whittingham (Drums) are set to tour Nationally in November to celebrate the release of their new single Beautiful Nothingness, which follows the release of their EP Zaffre earlier this year. (Heard it, loved it!- Ed)
Gearing up for the tour, the lovely Jodi Phillis spoke with us from her home in a casual, laid back chat in true Clouds fashion. Asked how she felt about almost hitting the 30-year mark as a member of The Clouds give or take a few fallow years, Phillis was Phillisophical (sorry!) about things so far.
“You just keep going really, I don’t really stop and think about it too much. We’re very lucky to be in this position to still have people out there who want to hear what we do, that’s wonderful! There’s still the camaraderie within the band and to be able to keep making music- that’s great.”
And how are the current line-up getting along these days?
“Really good! We live in different parts of Australia so that probably helps (laughs). We get on great, it’s been fun to get together and this time we’re totally independent so there’s no outside pressure- it makes a really big difference.”
So, what was it about The Clouds that resonated with fans?
“It was a really good era for music, it was very powerful and free back in the 90’s for bands. As far as a legacy, that’s for other people to decide. We are just lucky that we have people that care about our stuff, new and old. It’s a privileged position to be in. We recorded around 80 songs, that’s our legacy. We never really had a hit that got high rotation on stations like Triple M or Today FM etc., unfortunately we didn’t quite crack that. We were always slightly alternative and underground. The music industry has changed a lot, the technology wasn’t there when we were starting out so you really have to be a pioneer these days to understand what people want, what’s hot etc. to make any money out of the industry.”
The band did though, receive adulation from Triple J and the Indie scene, who fell in love with their blissful harmonies. These were the days preceding Social media, where bands actually had to work their asses off to make a living and to be heard.
Do you see any current acts as being the new up and comers?
“Oh gosh, I’m pretty out of touch I have to say. I hardly go out and explore so I hear about things through my daughters. I’m still listening to Chet Baker & Frank Sinatra, all kinds of eclectic old stuff. When I do hear something new it excites me, for example Joanna Newsom (harp player), Will Oldham, and as far as local acts Tame Impala. Everything they do is brilliant and highly creative.”
How does it feel to be touring again in the current line-up, and what was the catalyst?
“Great! We have our old manager on board with us organising the tour. Also, having the Joys (Falling Joys) with us is brilliant, they’re our old besties!”
Yep, that’s right. Not only The Clouds, but the Falling Joys as well. There’s been a great resurgence in these bands touring again, and rightly so.
“It’s kind of sad in a way, it felt like the 90’s marked the end of an era. It’s a weird feeling because I remember Jim Morrison quoting, when asked, what he thought the future of music would be. He had the vision and foresight to realise that ‘it’ll be one person sitting at a computer in a basement’, and that’s what has happened with EDM. That magic time of bands is over in a way. Those days of bands going on the road, collaborating, honing their craft & being creative together..it’s not over nor will ever be completely of course, but I doubt it will ever be as monumental as it used to be.”
That’s a reasonable observation, but is it just a cyclical phase where the current trends for EDM are coming to a close, and live music is once again taking centre stage as the preferred style? There will always be a place for live music.
“There’s a really big swell of underground electronic stuff for kids at the moment, it’s huge. That seems to be where the new art is happening. My 20-year-old daughter is into it, it’s where the groovy shit is happening- who knows?”
Regardless of trends, The Clouds will always be a group whose musical and song writing talents were well ahead of their time. Their tour kicks off next week in the A.C.T.
THE CLOUDS ‘The Beautiful Nothingness’ Tour with very special guests Falling Joys
Friday 3rd November 2017 UC Refectory, Canberra ACT
Tickets: http://tickets.oztix.com.au/?Event=78824
Saturday 4th November 2017 The Factory Theatre, Sydney NSW SOLD OUT!
Sunday 5th November 2017The Factory Theatre, Sydney NSW NEW SHOW ADDED!
Tickets: https://www.oztix.com.au/eventguide/?q=CLOUDS
Friday 10th November 2017 Metropolis, Fremantle WA
Tickets: http://tickets.oztix.com.au/?Event=78827
Friday 17th November 2017 The Croxton Bandroom, Melbourne VIC
Tickets: http://tickets.oztix.com.au/?Event=78828
Saturday 18th November 2017 The Gov, Adelaide SA
Tickets: http://tickets.oztix.com.au/?Event=78838
Friday 24th November 2017 The Triffid, Brisbane QLD
Tickets: http://tickets.oztix.com.au/?Event=78834
Saturday 25th November 2017 Sol Bar, Maroochydore QLD
Tickets: http://tickets.oztix.com.au/?Event=78835
Head to www.thecloudsofficial.com for tour info and official merchandise.
Tickets are available exclusively through www.oztix.com.au
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