Boston - Paradise Rock Club - 4/07/09

The live painting included a crane.  I wanted to capture the both the feeling of flight and restraint.  The painting is titled Confined Flight.

Arlen at sound check playing on Margot's set.

Shawn Neary doing a vocal check.

Shannon Frid stands in the shadows practicing silently before the show.

Craig Minowa never does anything half way, even sound check.

The view Arlen has from stage.  Shot taken at sound check.

A snap shot taken during the show of the crowd.  The Boston audience is a lively crowd.  They made the show.

Shannon had a mishap with her violin.  Actually it was crushed.  She was feeling down so Sarah and I were giving her some love.

Shannon, Candice, Sarah and myself posing for a photo after a great show!  Candice put us up for 3 nights.  Thanks Candice for hosting the Cloud Cult crew.

Adrian Young band manager working out the details before the show.  

Sarah and Shannon chilling in the street after the show.  Sarah looks great wearing my fedora.

North Hampton - Pearl Street - 4/07/09

On the drive out to North Hampton I was watching the film Big Fish.  I think it had an effect on my painting at Pearl Street.  This painting is titled Departure.

Adam of Ice Palace gave a intense performance at Pearl Street.

Amy of Ice Palace singing expressive harmonies.

In my journey with Cloud Cult I have the opportunity to meet many amazing people.  Walter is one of them.  Walter caught one of our shows last year and then commissioned a painting from me.  We met up on tour and has become a true friend.  Thanks, Walter for being such a stand up guy.

Before sound check we ate some great food with Walter's family in North Hampton.  Samantha, Savanna, Walter and Allison are an incredibly wonderful family.  Cloud Cult is appreciative to have met such kind people.

Waltham - Brandeis University 4/06/09

Live painting of the Brandeis show titled Rabbits Last Gasp.

Shawn Neary posing the night before for his senior photo.  This shot was taken while Cloud Cult took some much needed down time back at the hotel.

We actually did the show in the Brandeis castle.  Here are a few shots I took before sound check.  The Boston area has great historical architecture.  We have been traveling under a rain cloud for most of the tour so it was beautiful to see the sun in Waltham.

The back side of the castle.

Harry Potter?  You be the judge.

Before sound check Cloud Cult engaged in a little keep away frisbee.  This is Sarah Young in the last few moments of a glorious take down with Arlen.

Arlen can be seen glowing after surviving Sarah's wrath.

Shawn Neary blocking Craig Minowa from the catch that would pull Shawn out of the box.

Sometimes when your taking photos you can catch a dance.

The final moment of the game Shawn Neary is victorious and finally gets his frisbee.

Passing through Waltham on the way to the show.

Oh Canada / Toronto - El Mocambo Club 4/03/09

We're back in Canada at El Mocambo.  I spent the pre-show time refining the drawing for the show.  I feel better tonight about the painting knowing I have resolved a solid composition.

This is the final painting shot after the show.  The painting is titled Juggling Rabbits.  This character is brought forward from another show.... I  am not sure of her character yet but she might be a muse.  I know she will reveal herself in time.

Jacob of Ice Palace tearing up the stage.

Ice Palace gave the best performance of the night.

A shot from the stage of the Toronto crowd.  The Canadian folk are so kind.  It is true about the friendliness of the Canadian people.

Ann Arbor - Blind Pig 4/02/09

There is something disco about the Blind Pig.  That thought was confirmed when Cloud Cult erupted into a dance party with fans at the end of the night.

My live painting of the night titled Red Dress.

Shannon Frid shot in the green room before the show.  Sarah Young can be seen reading the fine literature on the green room wall.  We are all trying to find that quiet space before a show.

Arlen shot in the green room.  Arlen has become one of my favorite subjects to photograph.  He is a totally chill guy but when photographed you understand the depth of his character.

Craig Minowa during sound check.  We all have been falling in love with the hooks of his melodic guitar lines.

A full band shot during sound check.  Actually I could not get Arlen in frame due to a speaker and I am behind the camera.

This is what most walls look like in green rooms.  I am not sure why bands feel the need to tag the wall with a band sticker.  I often find them stuck to urinals.  Need I say more?

Eric of Margot performing acrobatics in our trailer after the show.  Sometimes you hook up with a great band and meet the nicest people.  Eric is one of them.

Chicago - Metro 4/01/09

The Metro in Chicago is one of our favorite venues.  It's theatrical stage and old world charm mixed with top notch sound and staff make it one of the best venues to play at in the country.  The Chicago fans (as you can see) give us incredible energy.  Mix the energy with the Metro atmosphere and you have a performance that seems surreal.  Thank you Chicago!  It was amazing.

The live painting for the night was a painting titled Balance with self and rabbit.  This painting is about composition and finding a balance in life and on canvas.  The rabbit has had several meanings in my paintings.  In this case it represents  innocents and sacrifice.

Shawn Neary on bass and vocals during sound check.

Sarah Young is truly beautiful when she is lost in song.

Shannon Frid on violin.

Arlen on drums.

Craig Minowa singing Journey of the Featherless.

A snap shot of Cloud Cult closing up sound check at the Metro.  Our tour manager / sound engineer Jeff D. Johnson flew back home today due to other work obligations.  We will miss him greatly over the next two weeks.  He is a gift to have on tour with us.  We will be meeting up with him on the west coast leg of the tour.  

Jeff D. Johnson the Cloud Cult wizard of sound.

Milwaukee Rocks! - Turner Hall Ballroom 4/01/09

Back in Milwaukee and I have to say that the Milwaukee fans gave us much more than a warm response.  I used to live in Milwaukee a few years back so I have fond memories of the city.  Many thanks to the folks at Turner Hall for the wonderful hospitality's.  We stayed with David a great friend of the band.  Thanks David for hosting the Cloud Cult crew!  There were many familiar faces in the audience.  I just can't say it enough....  It is such a gift to travel the country, catch up with friends, and make new ones.  Milwaukee you treat us well and we will be back!

The Milwaukee live painting is of the twins.  They are a archetype of duality.  They represent the separation and struggles of mind and body.  

This is a quick peak inside the green room of Cloud Cult were we pass our time before shows.  Shannon frid is getting crazy with a crossword puzzle.

Margot and the Nuclear So and So's are touring with us now.  The music is incredible and the stage show gets a thumbs up!  Our tour bill is Cloud Cult, Margot, and Ice Palace... ok I understand that I am in one of the bands but this is a truly a great bill.

Margot has amazing instrumentation.

Margot hypnotizes the audience with brilliant lyrics.

Back stage watching Ice Palace tear up the stage.