Ear Candy - 'Cloud Eleven'

Remember when? For most people out of high school those two words conjure up memories of childhood sweethearts, cruising the strip on a Friday night and broken curfews. To the music lover, it evokes images of Hi-Fi stereos, vinyl records and a good set of headphones.

Remember when you first heard your favorite album through headphones? What a magical mystery tour that was. Hearing sounds you never knew existed. Closing your eyes and thinkingÉ WOW!

When I first picked up Cloud Eleven's CD the first thought that came to mind was "groovy." There's a picture of one of those old TVs on the front cover, you knowÉ remember when. I popped it in my CD player and pushed playÉ groovy.

Cloud Eleven is fronted by music genius Rick Gallego. Practically a one-man studio band, Cloud Eleven is Gallego's baby of sorts. After self-producing his first record, Demolicious, on his homemade label (RatHole, 1996), Rick turned to the legendary Del-Fi Records to take over the reins.

In the 60's Del-Fi was an indie giant, carrying such acts as Ritchie Valens ("Come On, Let's Go," "Donna" and "La Bamba," 1958) Chan ("Hippy Hippy Shake") Romero, The Bobby Fuller Four ("I Fought The Law," 1965).

Del-Fi recently formed the sister label, Del-Fi 2000 (DF2K). Cloud Eleven's self-titled album was DF2K's first major signing, giving Rick Gallego his first big break.

Rick is in the middle of putting together a touring band. I was lucky enough to catch up with him in Los Angeles. He shared with me his thoughts on DF2K, his first band Jiffipop and the state of the radio industry.

Cloud Eleven's thick, rich, tapestry of sound is a testament to Gallego's dedication to his music. Pick you up a copy of Cloud Eleven's debut, pop it in the CD player, put on the headphones, close your eyes and remember when.

OFF! - Cloud Eleven's self-titled CD was released by Del-Fi 2000. How did it feel to become the first artist signed by the new sister label of the world famous indie label, Del-Fi?

Gallego - It feels great to be a part of a legendary label like Del-Fi. They're a great bunch of guys and very enthusiastic and supportive of my music. To be the first artist on the DF2K label is an honor. Feels like I'm doing everything right.

OFF! - Your self produced CD, Demolicious, by your former band Jiffipop was released in 1996. Is Cloud Eleven a continuance of that band?

Gallego - Basically. It's always been me acting alone in the production and recording of my songs. The only difference on the Cloud Eleven record is a newly acquired 16 track 1" tape recorder (Demolicious was done on an 8 track 1/4") so the quality is much better. All the drum machine tracks were replaced with a real drummer. The song-writing has pretty much stayed in the same vein.

OFF! - You are pretty much a one-man band on Cloud Eleven's first outing. Except for the drums that are played by Greg Schroeder of Starbelly, you played everything?

Gallego - I also had a little help with a few guitar parts from my friend Zane Drake.

OFF! - I read on your website that you have brought in some musicians for a tour. Who will be making up Cloud Eleven's new line up?

Gallego - I got some help from a few local guys I borrowed from other bands to play the International Pop Overthrow Festival last August. Unfortunately, none of them could commit to my project as they had their own band commitments. I've been searching quite some time now for the right players for the Cloud Eleven live touring band, but so far I've come up empty handed. It's not so easy finding the right people on the same wavelength that understand each other and have some sort of chemistry together. Believe me, I've tried. So for now I'll just be a one-man studio band until the right people come along.

OFF! - When you find all the new members, can we expect the same great sound you've mastered on the Cloud Eleven first album?

Gallego - It'll be a more stripped down version. With all the different parts and odd instrumentation on the record, it's hard to recreate that on stage. I can understand why The Beatles didn't want to play live after they recorded Sgt. Pepper's. It's too hard to pull off something like that live unless you have an extra 4 or 5 players.

OFF! - Playing nearly all the instruments on the first album, will you find it difficult to give up some of the control with the new guys in the band?

Gallego - Well, for the most part they'll be learning the parts directly off the record as I wrote them. There's really not a lot of room for improvisation on these songs. Just having new people playing these parts will add a little of their own personality to the songs I think.

OFF! - When can we expect some live gigs or possibly a tour?

Gallego - As soon as the elusive Cloud Eleven band mates present themselves to me!

OFF! - The first track on the CD is Tokyo Aquarium, it's also the first single released off the album. It's received some airplay on radio stations across the country. Is it hard getting radio stations to play a virtually unknown band on the airwaves without the benefit of the deep pockets of a corporate music giant?

Gallego - Without a doubt. We had some pretty good luck with college radio and specialty shows but it's really hard to penetrate mainstream radio without the help of the all mighty dollar and major backing. I'm happy that we were able to make it into the CMJ top 200 for a few weeks last summer.

OFF! - Tokyo Aquarium is absolute ear candy magic. You also did one cover on this record that I think deserves mention, Didn't Wanna Have To Do It by the Lovin' Spoonful. I love the sound of this song and it's obvious your music is rooted in 60's/70's rock. Who do you give credit to as far your musical influences go?

Gallego - Too many to mention, but obviously I love 60's and early 70's pop. The most influential for me would probably be (no big surprise!) The Beatles, Brian Wilson of The Beach Boys and various other psychedelic soft rock 60's bands.

Influential artist's in the 90's have been Teenage Fanclub, Matthew Sweet, Posies, etc.

OFF! - With retro bands like Fountains Of Wayne, Super Drag and Oasis making a buzz in the music industry, do you feel confident that you can move forward into the new millennium playing this style of music?.

Gallego - I don't know how confident I am with the state of mainstream radio right now, but I will continue to move forward on my musical path regardless of my acceptance into the mainstream. It's nice that a few melodic pop bands are squeezing through, although I think that they are few and far between unfortunately.

OFF! - We've gone through several stages of music in the last few years, Ska, Swing and Hip-Hop to name a few. Do you see any style standing out in the future, old or new?

Gallego - Well, my vote will always be for melodic pop with lots of harmonies but I know it's a long shot. To be honest there's really nothing I like on the radio today. It used to be that I would own 10 to 15 of the top 50 albums on the billboard charts but now I can't find even one! All these different styles will come and go but only the odd great song will remain.

OFF! - One of my favorite songs on the album is Sun Arise. "Take a chance and find a new direction" is a line from that song. Do you feel this pretty much says it all when talking about Cloud Eleven's music and style?

Gallego - Yes I do. That's exactly what I did with my song-writing a few years back. I basically re-invented myself and came up with this new direction in my music. It has been the most rewarding of my musical adventures. Taking chances can be a good thing!

OFF! - You might not know this but Show Me, the 9th track on your album is a special call to all of us Missourians, we live in the Show Me State.

Gallego - Well consider it dedicated to your great state. Maybe you can lobby it for your new state song!

OFF! - If you could only accomplish one thing with Cloud Eleven's first release, what would it be?

Gallego - I believe I've already accomplished it and that's the joy that I've brought to so many people who've heard it. The support of the fans has been enormous! The critical acclaim I've received from the press is really more than I could have ever asked for.

OFF! - One last question, Love Boat or Fantasy Island?

Gallego - Oh...Fantasy Island. Most definitely.

Check out www.cloudeleven.com for more info. Or try the new Ear Candy website with interviews and more at www.geocities.com/sweetearcandy/.