Clouds (Australian band)

Infobox musical artist
Name = The Clouds
Alias = The Girls From The Clouds

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Img_capt = Band members. From left: Jodi Phillis (Electric Guitar), Patricia Young (Bass), Tim Oxley (Drums)
Landscape = Yes
Background = group_or_band
Origin = Sydney, Australia
Genre = Indie rock
Years_active = 1989–1997
2005–2007
Label = Red Eye Records
Elektra Records (USA)
URL = [http://www.thegirlsfromtheclouds.com/ Official website]
Current_members = Jodi Phillis
Patricia Young
Tim Oxley
Past_members = Robert Phelan (guitar)
David Easton (guitar)
Stuart Eadie (drums)
Raphael Whittingham (drums)
Ben Nightingale (guitar)

Clouds were an indie rock band from Sydney, Australia formed in December 1989. The core of the group consisted of frontwomen Jodi Phillis (guitar and vocals) and Patricia "Trish" Young (bass and vocals). The line-up of Clouds changed several times with different drummers and lead guitarists. Clouds' music was distinguished by rapid and unusual chord changes, creative bass guitar, and Phillis and Young's vocal harmonies.

History

Clouds secured a recording contract with Red Eye Records in 1990 and began recording the "Clouds" EP in May which was released in October, including the iconic "Cloud Factory". The following April the "Loot" EP, featuring "Soul Eater" was released. In June recording for the "Penny Century" album began and was released in October 1991, reaching number 14 on the national mainstream charts in Australia. Two singles were released from the album: "Hieronymous" and "Anthem."

The band's next release was the single "Say It" from the upcoming "Octopus" eight track 'mini' album that was recorded from March to May and released in October 1992.

In June 1993 recording began on the next album, "Thunderhead", with the first single, "Bower of Bliss," released in August and the album in October. The second single, "Alchemy's Dead," was released in December.

In 1994 Clouds took a six-month tour to Europe and the United States, securing an American record deal with Elektra Records. Whilst in London the EP "Beetroot" was recorded and released in Australia in October. Following the signing with Elektra Records "Thunderhead" was released in the United States in March 1995 along with an EP ("3 Songs") and a promotional "Bower of Bliss" single. This was followed in May with two more promotional releases; "Say It" and a four track called "Bang Bang!" which took three tracks from "Octopus" and "Boy Of Air" from "Beetroot". Unfortunately, not long after these releases Clouds were dumped by Elektra along with their entire overseas roster of bands.

Despite this major setback, recording of new songs continued and two EPs were released "Aquamarine" and "Panel Van", August and November 1995, respectively.

In May 1996, Red Eye Records released a remastered "Penny Century" which include a limited edition bonus CD of early songs called "Pre-Raphaelite". This helped the album to become Gold (35,000 copies sold).

In 1996, the band released their third album, the highly compromised "Futura".

Although Phillis and Young were widely praised for their ability to harmonize their vocals, Clouds suffered from a lack of promotion and support within the industry and eventually disbanded in 1997. Although Phillis was living in a small town in Tasmania and Young was living in London, the two occasionally reunited over the years to perform a few shows. Phillis went on to form the Dearhunters and Roger Loves Betty, and also records and performs as a solo artist.

In late 2005, Phillis and Young resurrected their band under the name The Girls From The Clouds, launching a 5-track EP titled "Lalalala". In April 2007, however, the duo announced they had disbanded again. [ [http://www.thegirlsfromtheclouds.com/news.htm The Girls From The Clouds News] , 25 April 2007.]

Discography

Albums

*"Penny Century", 1991
*"Octopus", 1992
*"Thunderhead", 1993
*"Futura", 1996

Compilation albums

*"Favourites", 1999

EPs

*"Clouds", 1990
*"Loot", 1991
*"Beetroot", 1994
*"Aquamarine", 1995
*"Panel Van", 1995
*"Pretty Greens", 1999. A bonus disc that came with the compilation "Favourites" (recordings of demos between 1995 and 1996) [ [http://www.miaowthecat.com/sd/clouds.htm SilverLinings: THE Comprehensive Web Resource for THE CLOUDS - Australia's Musical Deities] ] .

ingles

*"Hieronymus", 1991
*"Anthem", 1992
*"Say It", 1992
*"Bower of Bliss", 1993
*"Alchemy's Dead", 1993
*"Here Now"/"Down From The Sky", 1996
*"Never Say Forever", 1997

References

External links

* [http://www.miaowthecat.com/sd/clouds.htm Unofficial Clouds website]
* [http://www.amws.com.au/clouds/ Clouds: The Website] (unofficial)
* [http://www.thegirlsfromtheclouds.com The Girls From The Clouds official website]
* [http://www.candlerecords.com.au/candle/bin/candlebands.cfm?bandName=clouds The Girls From the Clouds page]

Listening

* [http://www.myspace.com/thegirlsfromtheclouds The Girls From the Clouds audio samples]
* [http://www.myspace.com/jodiphillis Jodi Phillis audio samples]
* [http://www.myspace.com/rogerlovesbetty Roger Loves Betty audio samples]