Early life
McCloud was born in Bedford, Texas. Shortly after he was born, his parents divorced and his mother took him and his brother to Connecticut, where she was born. McCloud would later claim that his musical influences came from his brother (who was listening to the 1980s metal) and his mother, an avidCareer
McCloud grew up playing in hard rock/heavy metal bands where he quickly stood out as a gifted guitar player. A lot of these bands would "fizzle out" rather quickly due to ever changing members and different musical tastes. One such band MERCY DROWNS did have some success, but when it seemed like the band might go somewhere, it fell apart. McCloud said it was this break up that made him want to have a solo career. "If I write everything, and name the band after me, then I don't have to start writing new songs if someone leaves... I can't break-up myself.". McCloud began writing an album that would go on to be ''1717 Vine St.''. Self released in 2005, the album was "about a period in my life, from love lost and thinking it was the end of the world, to a friend of mine taking his life and realizing that my problems were not that bad". Recorded with session musicians, McCloud began playing all over his native Connecticut and New York trying to get the songs heard. This led to a bit of success, playing bigger and bigger stages until finally he was headlining regularly. Around this time Jared's musical tastes began to change and he was focused more and more on being able to be a better songwriter. "I wanted to be as honest with my songs as possible, not worry about how fast I was playing". Jared decided that he was going to break up his backing band (which by now had seen a few different members) and play solo-acoustic shows. Jared began writing the songs that would lead to him being signed by indie label Sling Slang Records. The labels owner, George Engal said that Jared was "an extremely gifted songwriter, and his new record would prove just that". Recorded at Aliehn productions in Bristol, Connecticut, ''Romance of the Atlantic'' was a soundtrack to a short story that McCloud had written. The album quickly caught on at national and college radio across the country and received great reviews from online magazines, newspapers and music magazines nationwide. In 2010, McCloud embarked on his first headlining tour that took him from theDiscography
* ''1717 Vine St.'' (Self released) 2005 * ''Romance of the Atlantic'' (Sling Slang Records) 2009 * ''Painful Words of Loving Grace'' (Self released) 2011 * ''Feels Like Home: LIVE From Portland, ME'' (Self released) 2011 * ''To Live and Die In Your Arms'' (Noble Steed Music) 2014Press
Jared McCloud is that rare thing; an artist that just cannot be compared to any of his contemporaries. His musical spectrum is about as broad as it is possible to be as he encompasses practically every rock subgenre you can imagine. I would say that he is a talent and that this album is not far off astonishing but that wouldn't even begin to do him justice. :— John Edden, AltSounds.com (March 17, 2011)
Imagine for a moment. all of that speaker-blowing intensity turned inward, shredding the artist down till there is nothing lift of him but the purity of his being. That's what this album is. Painful Words Of Loving Grace is raw and real, you can hear the scrape of flesh across steel and taste the soul of Jared's passion as he performs. Bold, vulnerable and genuine. Quite a moving experience :— Allen Foster, '' Songwriter's Monthly'' (February 4, 2011)
It's hard to compare Jared McCloud to any contemporary artists. And that's a good thing. Painful Words Of Loving Grace contains the intricacies and complexities of a seasoned song writer while retaining the pop-catchiness Catchiness is how easy it is for a song, tune, or phrase to be recalled. It is often taken into account when writing songs, catchphrases, advertising slogans, jingles etc. Alternatively, it can be defined as how difficult it is for one to forget ...of an accessible rock record. It's clear Jared is shooting for far bigger things. And I would easily say he succeeded. 5 stars. :— John Dotson, CT/MA Music (February 3, 2011)
...a strong lyricist and a tremendous guitar player, McCloud shows a lyrical and musical ethic not dissimilar to that of a youngSpringsteen Bruce Frederick Joseph Springsteen (born September 23, 1949) is an American singer and songwriter. He has released 21 studio albums, most of which feature his backing band, the E Street Band. Originally from the Jersey Shore, he is an originato .... He has a talent for capturing moods (NYC Song) and people (St. Catherine's Anthem) in song while holding nothing back. :— Wildy Haskell, Wildy's World (July 29, 2009)
...McCloud really shines with his new CD Romance of the Atlantic. He brings a clean pure sound with a no B.S. approach to his music that is bound to get you off your seat. To sum it up, this CD is a joy to listen to and really captures the soul. The world needs more musicians like Jared McCloud. :— Noella Tarquino, ''Broken Records Magazine Broken may refer to: Literature * ''Broken'' (Armstrong novel), a 2006 novel by Kelley Armstrong in the ''Women of the Otherworld'' series * ''Broken'' (Slaughter novel), a 2010 novel by Karin Slaughter Music Albums * ''Broken (And Oth ...'' (September 1, 2009)
McCloud's genuine feelings are reflected in "Romance of the Atlantic," and can be widely understood by any artist, or one that knows one... His innocence is refreshing, compared to others who enjoy solely the "perks" of the entertainment business (i.e. groupies and freebies)...A combination of acoustic and light rock, (Romance of the Atlantic) is smooth and soothing... McCloud seems to be directly talking to his audience in sing-song tone, making the listener feel a sense of personalization. The continual sincerity of a starving artist is felt throughout the CD :— Erika Y. Gradecki, '' Skope Magazine'' (May 26, 2009)
McCloud's arrangements bolster and color the songs in a way that sounds purposeful and tasteful, and his voice and adept acoustic guitar-playing carry the show. Jared's introspective coffeehouse pop-rock approach is mellow but not limp and his vocal delivery sounds earnest and passionate. :— Brian LaRue, New Haven Advocate (June 4, 2009)
The album title may ring of a long-lost Indiana Jones movie adventure, but the music is heartfelt folk singer-songwriter tunes that boast radio-and-pub friendly lyrics. :— '' Smother Magazine'' (August 3, 2009)
...McCloud is as competent a guitarist as he is a lyricist. 'Colors' is a great show of his talent as a musician and as a songwriter. It's always refreshing to see an artist who truly believes in his craft. And judging by his new CD and his live show, he has a lot of reason to believe. :— John Dotson, CTMAMusic.com (November 30, 2009)
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