To say that John Ringhofer is an interesting character would be a massive understatement. When he is not busy touring as Sufjan Stevens’ trombonist the man lives rent-free in Berkeley, California in exhcange for his services as custodian in a church.
The exceedingly titled ‘As Stowaways in Cabinets of Surf, We Live-out in Our Members a Kind of Rebirth’ represents his fifth album under the Half-Handed Cloud moniker and continues to see the musician on a mighty search for God. Fortunately he never rams his beliefs down the listeners throat, instead opting for a playfulness that transpires throughout his tracks.
The fact that John played most of the pianos, organs, guitars and banjo sounds himself is an accomplishment in itself. The fact that despite (or perhaps in spite of) the theological topics he explores his music remains catchy and listenable is an achievement in itself.
‘As Stowaways in Cabinets of Surf, We Live-out in Our Members a Kind of Rebirth‘ is out this week on Asthmatic Kitty Records
TRACKS:
Half-Handed Cloud – Armstrong’s Line
