Crack Cloud are a Canadian musical and multimedia collective currently based in Calgary, Alberta, formed by drummer and frontman Zach Choy.[2] Alongside the group's core musical members who perform live as a band, a large number of multimedia artists are also associated and operate simultaneously as an in-house production studio within the group, due to the project's strong focus on visual storytelling.[3][4][5]
Crack Cloud | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Calgary, Alberta, Canada[1] |
| Genres | Art punk, post-punk new wave, avant garde avant pop, electropunk, industrial hip hop, experimental |
| Years active | 2015–present |
| Labels | Crack Cloud Media Studio Jagjaguwar Big Love Records Meat Machine Tin Angel Deranged |
| Members |
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| Past members |
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To date, they have released three studio albums: Pain Olympics (2020), Tough Baby (2022)[6] and their third album Red Mile, which was released at 26 July 2024, via American independent label Jagjaguwar.[7]
History
editFormed in 2015, Crack Cloud started as the solo project of lead vocalist and drummer Zach Choy while he was living in Calgary, Alberta.[2][8] Soon after, the project moved to Vancouver, British Columbia in 2018, where most of its members met through various addiction recovery and mental health programmes both as participants and as support workers.[5] Choy stated that the purpose of Crack Cloud is a "healing mechanism"[9] The group's logo is also notable as an appropriation of the exclamation mark used by Concerned Children's Advertisers, a series of public service-announcements aimed towards children on various topics (drug abuse, peer pressure, exercise, etc.) that were broadcast on Canadian television during 1990s until the mid-2000s.[10][11]
Crack Cloud released their first self-titled EP, in 2016, followed by another the next year called Anchoring Point in 2017.[12] These two EP's were re-released as a self-titled compilation via Deranged and Tin Angel/Meat Machine Records on 1 June 2018.[13] Following those releases, the group toured internationally and featured at several music festivals including Levitation,[14] End of the Road,[15] and Roskilde[16] which garnered the group considerable exposure between North America, the United Kingdom and Europe respectively.[citation needed]
Crack Cloud released their debut studio album, Pain Olympics, via Meat Machine Records on 17 July 2020, preceded by four singles, The Next Fix, Ouster Stew, Tunnel Vision and Favour Your Fortune, released between May 2019 until October 2020. The record was received favourably, based on the album receiving an average score of 87 from 8 reviews on Metacritic, indicating "universal acclaim".[17]
On 8 July 2021, the group were named as the winners of the Hi-Fidelity Award, a prize for Canadian recording artists use of innovation within their music videos at the 2021 Prism Prize.[18]
On 11 May 2022, Crack Cloud announced their second album, Tough Baby, released 16 September 2022, via Meat Machine, with the release of the album's first single, Please Yourself.[19] The album's self-titled second single was released on 8 July 2022.[20] Costly Engineered Illusion, the album's third single was released 1 September. 2022.[21]
On 15 May 2024, the group revealed they had signed to American independent label, Jagjaguwar, and announced their third studio album, Red Mile, set to be released 26 July. 2024. The announcement was in-tandem with the album's first single, "Blue Kite".[22] Follow-up single, "The Medium" was released soon after on 18 June. 2024.[23]
Members
editCurrent
- Zach Choy – lead vocals, drums, synthesizer, film editor, producer, songwriter, percussion (2015–present)
- Will Choy – lead guitar, backing vocals, lead vocals (2017–present)
- Bryce Cloghesy – saxophone, lead guitar, sampler (2018–present)
- Jesse Atkey – saxophone, sampler, backing vocals (2018–2022; 2024–present)
- Eve Adams – vocals (2024–present ; associate 2018–2024)
- Mackenzie Cruse – singer, vocals, graphic design (2024–present ; associate 2018–2024)
- Aleem Khan – keyboards, synthesizers, bongos, backing vocals (2021–present) guitar, bass, organ (2023–present)
- Nat Philipps – saxophone (2022–present)
- Aidan Pontarini – production, creative director, film editor (2023–present) [24]
- Emma Acs – vocals (2024–present)
Former
- Patrick Seager – rhythm guitar, backing vocals (2016–2017)
- Jon Reynolds – lead guitar, saxophone, backing vocals (2016–2017)
- Will Johnson – lead guitar, bass, backing vocals (2016–2017)
- Henry Hsieh – rhythm guitar (2016–2017)
- Jon Varley – lead guitar, backing vocals (2017–2019)
- Noah Varley – bass, saxophone (2017–2019)
- Kelsie Hjorleifson – bass (2018)
- Daniel Robertson – keyboards, synthesizers, rhythm guitar, backing vocals (2018–2021)[25]
- Megan Magdalena – bass, backing vocals (2020–2021)[26]
- Mohammad "Mo" Ali Sharar – rhythm guitar, bass, keyboards, sampler, backing vocals, production, graphic design, film editor (2016–2022)[27]
- Garnet Aroynk Muhammad – rhythm guitar, bass, backing vocals (2019–2022)[28]
- Camryn Sproule – keyboards, synthesizers, backing vocals (2022)
- David Proctor – lead guitar, bass, backing vocals (2022)
- Mikhail Oreshkov – guitar, bass, backing vocals (2022)
- Jared Drake – bass, backing vocals (2016–2017; 2023–2024)
Associates
- Alex Burke – choir, percussion
- Nicolas Dirksen – engineering, mixing, strings, additional percussion, additional synths
- Missy Donaldson – singer, vocals
- Silvia Fioretti – choir, percussion
- Richard Guy – production
- Oliver Hamilton – violin
- Victoria Hamblett – choir, percussion
- Wei Huang – graphic design, lettering
- Annalisa Iembo – sound engineer
- Syd Kemp – choir, percussion, mixing
- Amy Lowe – graphic design, assistant choreography
- Jennilee Marigomen – photography
- Magdalena McLean – violin
- Sage Aronyk Muhammad – percussion, vocals
- David Novotny – guitar, lap steel, flute
- Eris Nyx – artist, activist, community organizer[8][29]
- Arthur Sajas – flute, choir, percussion
- Eden Solomon – dancer, choreography
- John Paul Stewart – engineering, mixing, processing
- Joseph Stone – saxophone, percussion
- Gam Traynor – cello
- Aga Ujma – harp, vocals
- Jing Wang – photography, graphic design, assistant choreography
Discography
edit- Studio Albums
- Pain Olympics (2020)[2]
- Tough Baby (2022)[19]
- Red Mile (2024)
- Live Albums
- Crackin Up: Live In London (2023)
- EPs
- Compilations
- Crack Cloud (2018)[31]
- Live Leak (2020)
Music videos
editAs "Crack Cloud"
edit| Title | Year | Album |
|---|---|---|
| "Image Craft" | 2016 | Anchoring Point |
| "Swish Swash" | 2017 | |
| "Uncanny Valley" | 2018 | Non-album single |
| "The Next Fix" | 2019 | Pain Olympics |
| "Crackin Up" | Non-album single | |
| "Ouster Stew" | 2020 | Pain Olympics |
| "Tunnel Vision" | ||
| "Favour Your Fortune" | ||
| "Please Yourself" | 2022 | Tough Baby |
| "Tough Baby" | ||
| "Costly Engineered Illusion" | ||
| "Blue Kite" | 2024 | Red Mile |
| "The Medium" |
As "Crack Cloud Media Studio"
edit| Title | Year | Album |
|---|---|---|
| "Elastic" (ZDBT & Slim Media Player featuring Prado) |
2021 | ELASTIC |
| "Preoccupation" Black Marble |
Fast Idol |
Recognition
editPrism Prize
editThe Prism Prize is a national, juried award established to recognize outstanding artistry in the Canadian music video production community. The Hi-Fidelity Award is presented to a recording artist (band or musician) who has used video art to represent their work in a consistently creative and innovative way.[32]
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Crack Cloud | Hi-Fidelity Award | Won |
References
edit- ^ Greenhorn, Sean (2 May 2019). "Crack Cloud: 'We make art about destructive patterns so that we can reflect, contextualise and correct them'". The List. Retrieved 15 August 2020.
- ^ a b c Berman, Stuart (21 July 2020). "Crack Cloud: Pain Olympics". Pitchfork. Retrieved 15 August 2020.
- ^ Wright, Lisa (17 July 2020). "SALVATION ARMY: CRACK CLOUD". DIY. Retrieved 15 August 2020.
- ^ Simpson, Dave (16 November 2018). "Crack Cloud: how they used punk as a therapy against addiction". The Guardian. Retrieved 15 August 2020.
- ^ a b Clarke, Patrick (8 August 2019). "Clear Skies: An Interview With Crack Cloud". The Quietus. Retrieved 15 August 2020.
- ^ "The Quietus | News | Crack Cloud Detail Second Album, 'Tough Baby'". The Quietus. Retrieved 16 August 2022.
- ^ Taylor, Sam (15 May 2024). "Crack Cloud have confirmed their new album 'Red Mile', and their biggest headline show to date". Readdork.com. Retrieved 26 July 2024.
- ^ a b St. Denis, Jen (15 April 2021). "For One Day, BC Activists Handed Out Clean Heroin and Cocaine'". The Tyee.
- ^ Crack Cloud interview: ‘It's based on true shit’. 3VOOR12. 23 July 2020. Retrieved 15 August 2020.
- ^ "Canadian Trademarks Details: Concerned Children's Advertisers & Design — 1181945 – Canadian Trademarks Database – Intellectual property and copyright – Canadian Intellectual Property Office – Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada".
- ^ "PSA Collection – Concerned Children's Advertisers". YouTube.
- ^ a b McNamara, Jamie (27 June 2017). "Crack Cloud – Anchoring Point". BeatRoute. Retrieved 15 August 2020.
- ^ "Introducing: Canada collective Crack Cloud construct something radically new out of post-punk's past". Le Guess Who?. 30 July 2018. Retrieved 15 August 2020.
- ^ "Crack Cloud". Levitation-france.com.
- ^ "Damon Albarn, Crack Cloud & more added to End of the Road Festival 2021 lineup". Endoftheroadfestival.com. 5 August 2021.
- ^ "Roskilde festival 2019 the Cure Crack Cloud Black Midi". Louderthanwar.com. 12 July 2019.
- ^ "Pain Olympics by Crack Cloud". Metacritic. Retrieved 15 August 2020.
- ^ "Haviah Mighty's Thirteen wins 2021 Prism Prize for top Canadian music video". CBC News, 26 July 2021.
- ^ a b "Crack Cloud Announce Tough Baby, Share "Please Yourself" Video". Pastemagazine.com. 9 May 2022.
- ^ "Crack Cloud Share "Tough Baby," Title Track from Their Forthcoming Album". Pastemagazine.com. 6 July 2022.
- ^ "PCRACK CLOUD – COSTLY ENGINEERED ILLUSION (Official Video)". YouTube. 1 September 2022.
- ^ "Crack Cloud Announce New Album 'Red Mile': Hear "Blue Kite"". Stereogum.com. 15 May 2024. Retrieved 26 July 2024.
- ^ https://readdork.com/news/crack-cloud-single-the-medium/
- ^ McAllister, Sam. "Crack Cloud | Pitch Perfect PR". Pitchperfectpr.com. Retrieved 26 July 2024.
- ^ "Peace Chord". Tinangelrecords.com. Retrieved 26 July 2024.
- ^ "Reddit – Dive into anything". Reddit.com. Retrieved 26 July 2024.
- ^ "Reddit – Dive into anything". Reddit.com. Retrieved 26 July 2024.
- ^ "Canadian supergroup Mock Media share their debut single, "Modern Visions"". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 26 July 2024.
- ^ "Overdose Awareness Rally DTES 2021". YouTube.
- ^ "Crack Cloud". Bandcamp. 2 May 2016. Retrieved 15 August 2020.
- ^ Konemann, Liam (11 July 2018). "Crack Cloud: The Vancouver collective finding recovery in dancing post-punk". Loud and Quiet. Retrieved 15 August 2020.
- ^ "2021 Hi-Fidelity Award – Prism Prize". Prism Prize.