Cloud Cult is known for a somewhat extravagant live show — an almost carnival-like spectacle that includes onstage painters — but the band’s Isthmus Live Session put the focus squarely on the music.
Rather than concentrate on any one part of their prolific career, the Duluth, Minn., art pop collective chose to play four songs from four different albums before taking off to headline the July 31 installment of Live on King Street.
Opening with “Meet Me Where You’re Going,” a yearning folk tune from the 2013 album Love, bandleader Craig Minowa set the tone for a stripped-down performance that demonstrated Cloud Cult’s ability to make listeners feel as if they’re part of the band.
“We’ve been working on a lot of older songs from past albums that we haven’t done in a really, really long time,” Minowa said before breaking into the closer, “Story of the Grandson of Jesus,” from 2008’s Feel Good Ghosts (Tea-Partying Through Tornadoes).
Isthmus Live Sessions is presented by MINI of Madison and Ian’s Pizza. Produced by Isthmus, the video was directed and edited by Justin Sprecher, with additional camerawork by James Kraus and audio by Chris Winterhack. The complete four-song, 14-minute audio set is available for listening below.
