The Obelisk Questionnaire: Rory Rummings of Cloud Catcher
The Obelisk Questionnaire is a series of open questions intended to give the answerer an opportunity to explore these ideas and stories from their life as deeply as they choose. Answers can be short or long, and that reveals something in itself, but the most important factor is honesty.
Based on the Proust Questionnaire, the goal over time is to show a diverse range of perspectives as those who take part bring their own points of view to answering the same questions. To see all The Obelisk Questionnaire posts, click here.
Thank you for reading and thanks to all who participate.
The Obelisk Questionnaire: Rory Rummings of Cloud Catcher
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How do you define what you do and how did you come to do it?
Cloud Catcher plays heavy music, plain and simple! No gimmicks, no image, just heavy riffs, musical dialogue between the band and cranked amps! This would have never came to be if my parents didn’t play Maiden, Priest, Sabbath, Skid Row and guitar driven tunes on repeat when I was a little kid… I also owe them the world for their endless support growing up and allowing me to continuously blow the tiles off the ceiling in our basement with my shitty Randall half stack hahaha!
Describe your first musical memory.
Setting up pots and pans to drum on in the living room as a 4 year old and pretending I was Clive Burr from Iron Maiden while watching “Video Pieces”
Also playing air guitar with my Dad to “Paris is Burning” by Dokken… George Lynch rules!
Describe your best musical memory to date.
Touring with Earthless in 2017 was pretty damn cool… here’s to hoping something like that happens again!!
Honestly, thinking of the jams with my friends at our home studio always makes me stoked. Oh and meeting Uli Jon Roth and having dinner with him by chance was so fucking cool too.
When was a time when a firmly held belief was tested?
Ah man, good question… having to sacrifice a friendship for the pursuit of artistic vision definitely opened my eyes.
Where do you feel artistic progression leads?
Artistic progression leads to the freedom to explore your own voice… I wish more bands were not afraid to take risks like this, instead of pigeon holing themselves into a box where they will always remain the flavor of the week… bands like the Melvins are a tried and true example of sticking to your guns and progressing your sound and vision while not giving a fuck about what others think. The result is priceless and something that will remain eternal.
How do you define success?
Jamming every Friday, being able to play shows and tour all while being a part of the working class. Doing shit yourself and being proud of the work you put in instead of relying on others to hand you things… that’s success to me.
What is something you have seen that you wish you hadn’t?
People still dressing up and pretending like it’s the 70’s in 2023… hahaha!
Honestly the way that social media has spread its psychic illness over the world has been something I wish I never had to see.
Describe something you haven’t created yet that you’d like to create.
A collaborative album between Cloud Catcher and Blood Incantation and Danava. Atmospheric synth filled riffage that this world needs… perhaps the best modern day prog album? Hmmmm we shall see. Paul, Greg I’m looking at you!!
What do you believe is the most essential function of art?
The artist fully embracing who they are and what they like and just fucking going for it!
Something non-musical that you’re looking forward to?
Staying at a family friends cabin with my wife and inner circle this upcoming week… few things are better in this world.
[Photo by Jake Yergs.]
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Right on, thanks for posting this. Talking with Rory a bit over the years before or after shows, he is one of the coolest guys out there. Digging the new album, great new sonic adventure.