Effective period / Period of releases: 2011

Members: Brian Lucas, Andrew Joron, Joseph Noble (2), Mark Pino

US drone/ambient improv group formed in late 2008 as Free Rein by Andrew Joron, Brian Lucas and Joseph Noble (2), who had all met through the Bay Area experimental poetry scene. Upon consultation with the elements they were in communication with, Free Rein changed their moniker to Cloud Shepherd in order to more appropriately reflect their commitment to the pasturing of ever-changing, nonlinear cumulations of sound. The group turned into a quartet when percussionist Mark Pino joined in.