Cloud Shepherd with India Cooke, 3/24/12 Swarm Gallery, Oakland CA

Cloud Shepherd had the pleasure of playing a gig with India Cooke aka Li'l Nimbus at the Swarm Gallery at Jack London Square in Oakland, CA.
We played three pieces. The first one featured Shepherd and Nimbus. I have to admit that I was in a rockin', take no prisoners kind of mood. I feel that I played really hard and hyper, and was definitely a bit noisy. Clouds can be dark and foreboding, too!

Above: making a racket with the Wind Gong!

Above: India rocks on the electric M'bira, Mark scrapes the gong.

Sometimes it's OK in art to not be too pretty or mannered, to let it all hang out. That was my mood at the Swarm show. I hope that those in attendance were not too put off by my antics on the first piece.

For the  second and third pieces, two of the members of Solace Trio, who were also on the bill, joined us. One piece felt a bit hesitant, the other just rocked out, and had India very happily singing encouragement, along with other audience members. It was a fun jam!

 Above: Cloud-Nimbus-Solace jam!

All told, it was a fun, surreal night for me. Thanks to everyone who braved the rain to show up, and thanks to Melissa for taking photos!