Clouds (Australian band)

The Girls From The Clouds. From left: Jodi Phillis (Electric Guitar), Patricia Young (Bass), Tim Oxley (Drums).

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. According to many observers, Stuart Eadie was by far the strongest drummer in the band's changing line-up, likened to John Bonham in his power.

Clouds secured a recording contract with Red Eye Records in 1990 and began recording the Clouds EP in May which was released in October. 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 U.S.A. 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 is now 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.Note: There was also a British indie pop band in the 1980s called The Clouds. See The Clouds (UK band).

Discography

Albums
Penny Century, 1991
Octopus, 1992
Thunderhead, 1993
Futura, 1996Compilations
Favourites, 1999;EPs
Clouds, 1990
Loot, 1991
Beetroot, 1994
Aquamarine, 1995
Panel Van, 1995Singles
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

External links

*The Girls From The Clouds official website
*Unofficial Clouds website