Cloud Nothings had just finished their fourth song of the set. The drummer, out of breath, dripped with sweat as he hunched over his snare drum, while the rhythm guitarist tuned his instrument in preparation for the next raucous number. Brushing his shaggy hair out of his eyes, the lead singer approached the microphone, ready to address his crowd.
“I was talking to my mom today on the phone,” he says. “She asked what I was wearing to the show. I told her I was wearing this sweater, and she told me it had a stain.” He points to a spot on his shirt and smiles sheepishly.
Dylan Baldi, all of 19, started Cloud Nothings less than a year ago in his hometown of Cleveland. He’s already garnered significant attention, having been featured on prominent music websites like Pitchfork and Stereogum, and playing shows with lo-fi sensations Wavves, among others.
While the plurality of the band’s name suggests otherwise, Cloud Nothings is pure Baldi. He writes all of the songs and plays every instrument on recordings. During live shows he plays lead guitar and recruits a few of his friends to play rhythm guitar, drums and bass.
The band drove eight hours from Cleveland and made it just in time for their show Wednesday at Rock Shop, followed by 30 loud and fast minutes before leaving the stage. Baldi said he’s ready to focus on making the most of his limited time in New York.
“Not many bands come to Cleveland, so I’m trying to see as many bands as I can,” Baldi said. “We have a lot of shows and other stuff scheduled for us to do.”
Baldi has been playing instruments since he was a child, starting with piano. With his lanky frame and glasses he strikes a modest figure, and exhibits an acute self-awareness. At one point during Cloud Nothings’ set, he asked if there was anyone in the crowd who knew how to give haircuts, because his hair had gotten too long. Later, when asked about some of the projects he’s worked on in the past, Baldi laughs.
“Just some other stuff that didn’t take off as well as this did,” he said. “Nothing cool.”
