Crack Cloud

CRACK CLOUD IS “creativity with no rules”. The mixed-media collective based out of Vancouver has modelled their creative practice around harm-reduction philosophy, and Crack Cloud operates as a rehabilitative outlet for a revolving cast of multidisciplinary artists across Canada.

First formed by drummer and lead vocalist Zach Choy, the collective has expanded to include other musicians, visual artists, designers, filmmakers, and creative collaborators. “The band is our recovery program,” keyboardist Mohammad Ali Sharar explains. “Pouring ourselves into it is a way of staying alive, or at least sober and together. So we can’t do anything by half measures.”

Their debut album, Pain Olympics, introduced them to the world—and it was hailed by the Guardian, Pitchfork, and global0music press as “concept-heavy post-punk that borrows from gospel, rap, and indie-rock” to “illuminate the joy, camaraderie, and compassion that can exist in even the most unforgiving, isolating circumstances”.