Meet Liz Painter

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Liz Painter a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Liz , so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?

It’s been said, “You’ve got to have a dream… or how you gonna have a dream come true?” Sometimes the journey becomes the most important part, even more fulfilling than the destination itself. Working toward a goal can help a person develop qualities in their day-to-day life, including grit, determination, joy, and connection.

Having a purpose and vision has been an asset in my bold journey, as it has been for RJ Cloud, since we first met at the Discovery Gallery and bonded over a passion for music at songwriting circles and jam sessions. We lead the indie rock band CloudPainter. With clear intentions that set a direction for us, working in the music industry has led to many wonderful moments and shaped our current musical project, CloudPainter.

RJ (aka Rodger) Cloud’s success story expanded his purpose. His company, Cloud Microphones, employs a team that includes a partnership on the Navajo Nation, where the heart of the Cloudlifters are made. Cloud changed the world of recording by creating a solution to the challenge of using lower output microphones with the invention of the Cloudlifter Mic Activator. Today, Cloudlifters help a multitude of musicians, podcasters, and recording studios around the globe achieve better sound from their microphones. I’ve witnessed in amazement as Grammy-winning artists walk up to Rodger and say, “Thank you for what you did for my music.”

It’s been a musical adventure with many epic moments so far. One such moment for me was at the NAMM show when RJ introduced me to Stevie Wonder, who was excited to check out the newest Cloud microphone, the Midnight 44. Stevie Wonder and I stood together singing into the microphone. As I listened to our voices blend, Stevie told me, “Keep singing…”

Sometimes there are ups and downs, as the journey of an artist is a courageous path. No matter what life brings, we show up to each new day as a creative opportunity. Maybe we write a new song, collaborate with a co-writer, or use technology to work with a producer or co-writer on the other side of the planet. Courage is a byproduct of a musical artist’s mission. It demands courage to be visible and share one’s work with the world. The easy part is creating the song, and a few routines help me stay in creative shape, such as a “five-a-live” (five minutes of writing a day will keep the block away). But the more difficult part is letting the music go and putting it into the world. Often, we want it to be perfect first.

I wrote a lyric in a song called “All I Want” (from my last solo album), which says, “I can’t give my dream away, sometimes it’s all that keeps me going now, often it keeps me alive.” A life path inspired by music creates connection. It’s so fun to be at an event like New York City’s Anti-Social Producer’s Club (the largest songwriter camp in the world), setting up Cloud ribbon microphones in world-class recording studios, meeting and writing with some of New York City’s top songwriters, or enjoying a fabulous band at a rooftop party.

The purpose of being on a musical journey seems to be an end in itself, with its own rewards, including connection and travel. Sometimes we face highs and lows, like when the show is over and we’re tired. However, for RJ and me, the meaning shines every time we sit down at the piano, hum a few notes, and a new song comes through.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

CloudPainter is an Arizona-based indie band born from the synergy of our songwriting collborations. We incorporate Southern Rock, R&B and psychedelia and weave a sonic tapestry from the experiences of all of us in the band. Our intertwining guitars and harmonized vocals create a foundation that is both solid and evocative. Steve Smith’s bass lines provide a steady heartbeat, while Carlos Solorzano’s dynamic drumming and Arnie Ventura’s intricate percussion and vocals add layers of rhythm and texture. Together, we create a sound that is both expansive and intimate, inviting listeners into our world of sincere storytelling and rich musicality.

Our latest single, “Count on Me,” exemplifies this approach by delivering a message of unwavering support and connection that resonates with audiences facing modern life’s challenges. “Count on Me,” available on streaming platforms, will be followed by a more than an album’s worth of songs we have ready to release.

CloudPainter is more than a band; it is a community and a culture. You can join the CloudPainters through our Patreon, which offers a free membership to the CloudPainter community, as well as a few paid tiers of membership with exclusive content. Benefits of membership include merchandise and unreleased demos. You’ll also stay in the loop for future events, concerts, releases, and merchandise.

Exclusive VIP memberships include an invitation to an in-person or virtual tour of our world-class recording studio in Tucson, and an opportunity to join us on regular Zoom calls where we’ll collaborate directly with fans on creative topics. You can become a member of the CloudPainter community by going to cloudpaintermusic.com and clicking on “Join.”

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Several areas of knowledge have significantly impacted CloudPainter’s journey.

The first to note are the musical skills developed from a young age. Being a young person with talent often means beginning a lifetime of studying instruments and songs, and putting in countless hours practicing piano and guitar. This then expands to audio engineering and music business practices.

Next, specifically for Rodger, is his wealth of knowledge about audio engineering and microphones. He leads a fascinating workshop on impedance and phasing and their impact on audio production.

The third area is a skill that can take more time and maturity to develop: communication. Communication skills are crucial when you have a band. This includes listening well, being patient, and ensuring everyone feels heard and valued.

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?

CloudPainter would love to collaborate with artists, musicians, and producers! If you are a musician or a fan, you can message us on Instagram @cloudpainter.music or visit our website cloudpaintermusic.com and fill in the contact form to send us a quick message.

Contact Info:

Suggest a Story: BoldJourney is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems,
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
Leadership Development
Empathy Unlocked: Understanding how to Develop Emotional Intelligence

“Empathy is the starting point for creating a community and taking action. It’s the impetus

Productivity
Where do you get your work ethic from?

We’ve all heard the phrase “work hard, play hard,” but where does our work ethic

Productivity
Boosting Productivity Through Self-Care

When you have a never-ending to-do list it can feel irresponsible to engage in self-care,