The French word for bread is le pain. I’m no linguist, but I imagine the etymology has nothing to do with the English word for pain. Still, it’s interesting to think of pain as something to be taken in, swallowed and digested, that it might even have salutary effects, like eating bread.
I’m hesitant about posing this query. I’m no masochist, and have long believed that pain is a warning sign of death, its evolutionary role to sound a clarion against ongoing harm. On the other hand, it’s obvious that many of the world’s religions teach us to accept, if not embrace, pain and suffering as a necessary and unavoidable part of life; that doing so puts us on the path towards wisdom and spiritual enlightenment. Seeking out pain is obviously not the answer, but neither is avoidance. Accepting, swallowing, chewing and digesting those morsels of le pain is apparently good for the soul.
Which brings me to Cloud Cult. This is a band principally known for its profound environmental ethics. Early in their career they refused a label deal because the band insisted that the packaging of their CDs be as benign as possible. Organic farming, solar energy, biodiesel-fueled touring — these are the hallmarks of Cloud Cult.
Filed under: Indie, Music Shows This Week in Madison, Sounding Board Blog | Tagged: Cloud Cult, indie music in madison, the majestic | 1 Comment »
