We recently connected with Cloud and have shared our conversation below.

Cloud, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.

My dad collected records and I grew up around a lot of music so I feel like I’ve always loved and known how to sing and dance .When I was in first grade my mom had to go to work early so she got me into a before school choir class. Once I got older I started listening to more rap and so I started writing raps because it was fun. I’ve learned a lot by simply gauging the reaction and receiving feedback from people when I share my craft. I could have sped up my learning process by being more aware of my potential, therefore making me more courageous and poised to take on opportunities to master my craft. The most essential skills I’ve had to use are communication- being clear on your vision and being able to articulate it in a way that creates buy in. Timeliness – there is NO advantage to showing up late. And excellent work ethic – doing it even when you don’t feel up to it. The obstacles that have come way preventing my growth have been cost/finances, lack of consistent mentorship, and time – balancing responsibilities.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I go by Cloud – short for Claudia which is my birth given name, my adopted name is Erin. I was born in Colombia and my brother, sister and I got adopted by a couple from the Bay Area when I was just about 2. Although I don’t know my lineage outside of being Colombian, I know music was a gift passed down to me and I believe music is medicine so I intend to create as much medicine as I can to help give back to the world. For 17 years I worked in arts education and was one of the few founding staff at Oakland School for the Arts. I’ve watched students climb mountains and I’m incredibly inspired by the energy and creativeness the youth bring to the art. My music is an expression of my experiences, some really hard and others really dope. I want to inspire my audience, and make them feel like they can connect. I’m very picky about my lyrics and I go through arduous editing processes . It’s ridiculous lol. Ultimately I want to make sure I can stand by every lyric . Every detail is intentional. I work with an incredibly talented team of people that help develop and refine my ideas. It took me a while to figure out how to brand myself as an artist and then one day it just clicked . I’m annoyed that I hadn’t thought of it sooner lol but, I feel like that’s how I know I’m really building something sustainable. I have a long way to go to accomplish everything I want. One of those things is releasing songs or album that honors and contributes to the liberation and power building of underserved communities around the world. I also want to honor my Colombian background by making Cumbia or Salsa or Vallenato influenced songs. I really hope to have more opportunities to collaborate with more artists. There are so many talented artists out there that I love ad libbing to while I’m driving or chillin . Apart from songs I also am working on merchandise for sale and promo. I love fashion and art so I can’t wait to work more with designers.
As my music evolves I pray I can reach as many people as I am destined to and that my music will last well past my time here.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

I had to unlearn that just “pressing on” and hoping for the best is not always the best option, Sometimes it works, for example I performed at a gig and at the beginning of my set people were talking and not paying attention, but by the end they were singing with me. When it didn’t work was when I was rushed on stage, the DJ didn’t have the track and I had to use my phone to play the track. This was at a big festival mind you so the pressure was real. They threatened to cut my set so I rushed to start. My audio was cutting in and out and I just performed the whole set that way. Of course people started walking away and the video was terrible. That taught me to always take control and command of my set. if you have to stop your set to get your performance right then you nine times out of ten you should.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect is positive interactions with your audience and fans. When people come up to you to tell you how your song inspired them, or they really enjoyed your set, or ask for your social media handle, etc. it feels so good. when I’m in the studio and everyone in the room is getting hyped behind a sound or line creates a sort of invincibility and that for me are priceless moments.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.officialcloudmusic.com
• Instagram: @singcloude
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/singcloude
• Twitter: @singcloude
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCkVaE1ynAAtAEG7davEPJfg

Image Credits
Faye Say Photography Creative Studios Edgewalker Entertainment