Where Clouds make 'Tides'

Few bands in Bloomington play the same style of music as Clouds As Oceans.

The quartet’s all-instrumental take on the post-rock genre, a sound popularized by acts like Explosions in the Sky and Mogwai, is a pronounced rarity in a local music scene dominated by indie rock and hip-hop.

But their penchant for slow-building crescendos and simple, wordless melodies hasn’t stopped the four IU students, who comprise the band’s membership, from being accepted and appreciated locally.

Guitarist and junior Nathan Siery understands the risks inherent in playing shows with bands that attract a different fan base than his own, but he said he’s been pleased with the reception Clouds As Oceans has received at gigs.

“It’s been pretty cool. We even opened for a hip-hop group, and we had a pretty good show,” he said. “For the most part, people have been open to enjoying what we do, even on a mismatched bill.”

Guitarist and senior Clark Dallas agreed. He said the local music community fosters the kind of appreciation that Clouds As Oceans is able to enjoy, despite the lack of a true post-rock scene.

“I think the Bloomington scene is just about exposing people to new music and not necessarily worrying about genre,” he said.

On “Tides,” the group’s 2010 EP, Siery and Dallas trade off jagged, meandering guitar leads over a sturdy backbone provided by senior Wyatt Worcel’s jazz-influenced drumming and junior Matt Cain’s basslines. Plenty of room is left in the margins for chimes, synthesizer, EBow and whatever other instruments and effects the band members agree upon to achieve their massive sound.

“Most of the songwriting is done with all four of us,” Dallas said. “It’s a total collaboration.”

Equality among members is something Clouds As Oceans has emphasized since the guys first started playing together during spring 2009. Siery said they always intended to have Clouds as Oceans be an instrumental band, and it’s not just because none of them can sing. The members orient themselves on stage in a manner that is functional for the music — for music this nuanced, a lot of eye-contact is necessary — rather than elevating a single member as the band leader.

“I always liked the idea of not having a frontman,” Siery said.