A cloud recording over Minneapolis.

Weather balloon, helium, string, memo recorder, microphone, parachute.
June 2003.

As a child, I had free rein within my dads ecological science research storerooms, creative play with mid century lab contraptions, diodes, circuits, relays, early 80's huge microchips like creepy crawly spacecraft, etc etc etc. What really caught my attention were the tiny mechanical timer release devices, used to release equipment from weather balloons... Ooooo weather balllooooons... imagination blossomed.

Later in life I found myself living in Minneapolis, as a composer in residence, for The American Composers Forum, undertaking a variety of weather related actions, including searching for the famous 'Minnesota Nice' floating around up there.

I tried to find out what a cloud hears. The audio begins with the pinging bass boings of the balloon setting off, the string unwinding as the sound recorder tied to the balllooon riiises uppp,,, hangs about for a liiittle bit,,, then winds alll the wayyy back down to earth.

One quick sound cloud collected = done