Cloud Gavin

Cloud Gavin has a melancholy yet dreamy vibe that’s like floating down a river in a pitch black jungle; dark yet fantastical. Their sound is spacious, eerie, edgy, and unbelievably intriguing. Cloud Gavin just wrapped up a lengthy 75 day tour that spanned the entire country to promote their latest album, Fermata Supreme, which you can purchase on their Bandcamp.

Please list all of your band members and their roles in the band.
Zach Hudson -Vocals // Guitar
Taylor Kincaid - Vocals // Guitar
Orie Turnbull - Bass
Brandon Umbanhowar - Drums
Ryan Brewer (live member) - Vocals //Guitar

What'syour hometown (or what are your hometowns)?
Zach - Danville,IL.
Taylor - Lebanon, IN.
Brandon -Hoopeston, IL.
Orie - Newport, IN.
Ryan - Champaign, IL.

How did the band come together? How long has it been?
The band came together from high school friends. Originally a lot of us played in different bands from high school and played shows together, besides Brandon. It’s a really long story to specify each connection. Cloud Gavin has existed since mid-2010.

How have you grown since you started?
I think we’ve grown immensely as musicians, as a touring band, and as people. Each of our albums is a bit different from each other. I guess you can see the “mature” evolution over the past four years.

What sets you apart from other bands?
We get a lot of compliments on the “unique” sound of our vocals, the drastic changes that seem to mold together in our songs, and dynamic inclines. We do our best to create as much atmosphere in our albums as our live show as well. We try to be more of an experience, than just a band.

What’s the best part about being in your band?
Touring is definitely a huge perk. We do everything ourselves. So, in time, I hope we get to the point where we can make a living off of doing what we love. Meeting new people around the country is great. Really a lot of things that are hard to explain as well.

More times than not, influences tend to bleed through. What bands are currently inspiring the music that you’re making?
Well, there are a lot of influences for us. even if it sounds nothing like us. I’ll list a few: Owen, Balance & Composure, Armor for Sleep, Brand New, Manchester Orchestra, Death Cab for Cutie, Cymbals Eat Guitars, Pianos Become The Teeth, As Cities Burn, Umbrellas, Lovedrug, and a lot more - even if they aren’t bands or musicians.

What would you say the band has already accomplished and what do you have your eyes set on next?
We are currently in the middle of doing a 75 day, 48 state tour. As an independent band, I’d say that would be something I’d like to take pride in. Also, as an independent band, we’ve sold a bunch of records in a bunch of different countries and are on numerous radio stations around the country (and world). We’ve gotten a lot of “Record of the Year” picks for us for this recent album, which is a huge honor. There is a lot I can mention that I am proud of. Next, we are aiming to tour with larger bands with a fan-base that would blend with ours and make the next big step as a band.

Thus far, what’s a favorite memory or something quirky that’s taken place with the band (in-studio, onstage, or elsewhere)?
Oh, wow. I mean, there are SO many things. We are all really sociable and somewhat weird guys, most of our stories are not about the performances, but just some of the really odd things we get involved with outside of the road. I don’t think I can pick a favorite or justify it through text. Haha.

Is there anything in particular that you’d like people to take away from listening to your music?
I like listening to something for the first time and having the lyrics put a sinking feeling in your stomach because it connected to you in a very intense way. I want it to be something you can put on and never get tired of. I have tons of favorite records that I can, and do, listen to over and over again all the way through.

If you could change something about the music industry, what would it be?
How saturated it is. We get that we should be playing much larger shows and don’t belong at a show where there are only 20-40 kids at, which is flattering, but, there are so many signed bands that I cannot tell the difference in. It has gotten really bad over the past ten years. I know a lot of unsigned bands that TONS of people would love and have that potential, but they don’t know how to properly guide their band into becoming better as an actual career. I just wish the whole “everyone gets a chance” was true.

How did your band’s name come about?
It’s honestly a long list of things, mainly dream interpretation through Latin. it’s mean to be up for interpretation. it means the highest point of a free mind. but, I want it to be that means something to you, rather than a literal term.

What’s the biggest mistake someone’s made while playing?
Hmmmm. I think we are pretty good about being “professional” on stage, but I guess there was a time that we may have gotten a little too wild and mildly damaged some gear. Nothing horrible really.

Any pre-performance rituals?
Stretches. That’s about it. You don’t want to be miserable the whole next day or two because you pulled something going a little too hard on the set.

Is there anything else you would like to add?
Nope, thanks for taking the time to interview us! - PropertyOfZack

Recorded in a mixture of houses and studios, CLOUD GAVIN are releasing their third album called ‘Fermata Supreme’. This is also their first release on vinyl and we couldn’t be happier about making this one for them. A blend of different Alternative music styles, CLOUD GAVIN has been growing day by day since they started in 2010. This gatefold jacket holds a double LP, with all of the A/B discs being being ‘White’ with ‘Black’ haze and all of the C/D discs being the opposite, ‘Black’ vinyl with ‘White’ haze. Starting today, CLOUD GAVIN is embarking on a 75 day, 48 state tour. Better hope they’re stopping in your town first or they’ll probably be all sold out of these babies…. - PiratesPress.com

Now, I’m not normally into the whole screaming thing, but if you throw in some good tunes and good lyrics, then I’ll give it a chance. That’s what happened with Cloud Gavin. I came across them and wasn’t sure what to think at first, but after giving them a few listens this Illinois band struck a chord with me.



Cloud Gavin‘s new album Recycle and Create just came out last November, and I particularly like “Harbor“. There’s a lot of emotion behind the album (and “Harbor” especially) and it really comes through. “Harbor“ is a nice slow jam that made me appreciate the singer and, juxtaposed with the rest of the album, gives a good idea of the band’s range. Just to give you an idea of what I’m talking about, I’m throwing in “I’m a Hurricane, Covered in Gasoline,” too. Go to their bandcamp page linked below to check out the full album. - Vansama

Cloud Gavin was definitely a pleasant surprise: they are four talented boys from Danville, Illinois, which do a great Alternative-Rock, in the sounds clean and full of interesting nuances that are vaguely reminiscent of the style of At The Drive-In. Their talents brought them to share the stage with several groups of American alternative scene, such as We Came as Romans and The Crimson Armada, to name a few.

“Recycle And Create” is their first album and is composed of ten tracks in total. The tracks of interest are varied, especially for solo voice that gives the right interpretation for which the band stands out. The first impression of ”I’m AHurricane, Covered In Gasoline“ was very positive, giving me the desire to listen to all the songs until the last second; good prelude to ”Slow Down, I’m Rewound.“, the second track, which starts with a quick arrangement that at the end of the song fades delicately both voice and instruments, and then burst out again in “Everything Is Metaphysical, Almost“, another highlight of “Recycle and Create”. The same “Recycle And Create“, the seventh song, fades from a slow arrangement accompanied by a soft voice, to the chorus almost desperate and emotional.

The consequentiality and interpretation of the songs that ranges from sweetness to anger, makes the whole record so interesting: “Recycle And Create” gives vent to the emotions more disparate. You should listen to the last minute. - Clara Parlati

Imagine a world where sub-genres ceased to exist; no more melodic hardcore, no more post-rock, no more progressive metal, no more prefix-anything. Many groups would be vulnerable to the possibility of dissolving into infinity if this proposed society came into existence, but it is safe to say that Cloud Gavin would be the first to go. Emerging from the ashes of burnoutbright and transplanted from Of Arizona, the Illinois-based group proves to be the definition of a musical melting pot in the most extreme sense of the term. From post-hardcore to progressive rock, their free debut LP Recycle and Create flaunts a plethora of influences that possess the ability to create something fantastic if blended just right.
Rather than wandering down the beaten path and opting for a gradual introduction, Cloud Gavin sets themselves apart from the pack right away with “i’m a hurricane, covered in gasoline.”. After a wonderfully noisy wall of sound kicks into gear, the instrumentals switch back and forth from crystal-clear guitar-work to climaxing drums with a hint of distortion. As the track moves on, vocalist Zach Hudson makes the most extensive statement of them all by showing off a diverse skill-set that ranges from nasally pop-punk singing to emotionally refined screams, all backed up with self-reflective lyrics that are well worth reading in to. Remember though, this is just one track; with so many elements seamlessly placed inside a stand-alone piece, what else could be hiding around the corner on Recycle and Create? Well, if one turns their attention to “i created a dream…or, at least it created me.”, they will find another face of the group via an indie affair in the vein of Hell or High Water era As Cities Burn that maintains a peculiar atmosphere with ominously honest vibes (“Away from the grave that you built for yourself, is it really that hard?”). That’s not all though. After taking a listen to “Color Changes”, previously concealed alt-rock roots make their way to the surface as well. On the surface after repeated listens, it appears that this group can do virtually no wrong…right?

Obviously, Recycle and Create is a widely assorted concoction of unique sounds present from song to song. While being a positive for the majority of the album, this does bring up the LP’s sole flaw though, as too much variance leaves the well-intended ideas jumbled together at times. Each track makes the transition of styles an enjoyable ride on a singular basis, but when listening to the LP straight through, it can become a mind-bending affair as concepts are repeatedly lost inside the album’s tangled progression. The situation at hand appears to be nothing more than the product of a young group experimenting with different musical aspects to find their niche though, and even then their developing sound still trumps those of many other acts with more albums and more experience. As long as Cloud Gavin can find a way to unify their sound while still utilizing fresh and distinct elements, then there is definitely a bright future ahead of them. - Music Michael Mind

Born out of Danville, Ill., Cloud Gavin is an alternative indie/prog-rock band forming its roots in established bands like Brand New, Balance & Composure, and Taking Back Sunday. I personally believe they have the stylistic basis of Tigers Jaw and As Cities Burn, but why don’t I shut up and let you decide!? You can get their album for FREE at their website.

My major appreciation of this album is that it is young, young and lost. Even though I do not know these artists personally, I can feel they are on the verge of something; something that caters to the adolescent ear but is aged in that it challenges our understanding of the world. The vocals and lyrics speak to this ripened dispute of angst and adulthood. There is so much going on in each song that the instruments join hand with this massive sense of confusion and endless search for meaning. To add to the emotional storm (see what I did there? Storm…clouds…Cloud Gavin), the drums give a beat to the monster that searches with wide swinging arms. To exemplify how much this album interests me, I had the most trouble with this damn review than any other.

There is too much to touch on and that is why I think this band is on the verge of something. Once they cross that threshold, trim the fat, and define themselves with empathetic sounds they will have some real gold on their hands. Yet I must stress this is just my opinion, so please go download their music and build your own thoughts! That’s why I do this. Be about it.



Find them on Facebook and Twitter,

or collectively at:www.onesheet.com/cloudgavin - Jess Scutella