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Half-Handed Cloud Audio Interview and Free Song Download

by Jeannie Choi 10-28-2009 | 3:30pm
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There are several factoids about John Ringhofer that elicit fandom, and none of them have anything to do with his music:

  1. He still uses a CD walkman
  2. He lives rent-free in a church in Berkeley, California, where he serves as the custodian.
  3. He often attends two to three church services a Sunday because he loves the art of sermonizing.
  4. He is a nice guy.

That last one I experienced first-hand several years ago when I -- a complete stranger -- emailed him to ask if he would send some birthday gifts to a friend of mine who was a huge fan. A few days later, I received a package for my friend complete with guitar picks, CDs of unreleased songs, and a hand-written note wishing my friend a happy birthday. That kind of thoughtfulness cannot be faked. Ringhofer is the real deal.

And so is his music. Really, genuinely honest -- John Ringhofer, under the moniker Half-Handed Cloud, writes thoughtful and reflective songs about faith and spirituality that mimic a child's ability to ask simple questions that make us say, I never thought about it that way!

I hope you'll enjoy our brief interview with Half-Handed Cloud, as well as the free music download of his song, All We Like Sheep Have Gone Astray, from his new album, Cut Me Down and Count My Rings.

Jeannie ChoiJeannie Choi is an assistant editor at Sojourners.

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by: Chris "Jesdisciple"

11-02-2009 @ 4:06pm

The song reminded me of some older music, maybe the Beetles. I grew up on that stuff, so I think I'll like his work. I've added him to Pandora. =)

by: christappan

11-01-2009 @ 3:02am

I just wanted to vouch for John's real-ness as well. I met and got to know him several years ago before he moved West, and he is the single most genuine person I've ever met. His music embodies his simple perspective on the world around--not ignorant or naive--but able to to see and participate in God's actions joyfully without being bogged down in the heaviness that most of us run into. I'll also vouch for his live performances--if you get the chance, you won't regret it.

by: christappan

11-01-2009 @ 3:02am

I just wanted to vouch for John's real-ness as well. I met and got to know him several years ago before he moved West, and he is the single most genuine person I've ever met. His music embodies his simple perspective on the world around--not ignorant or naive--but able to to see and participate in God's actions joyfully without being bogged down in the heaviness that most of us run into. I'll also vouch for his live performances--if you get the chance, you won't regret it.

by: christappan

11-01-2009 @ 3:02am

I just wanted to vouch for John's real-ness as well. I met and got to know him several years ago before he moved West, and he is the single most genuine person I've ever met. His music embodies his simple perspective on the world around--not ignorant or naive--but able to to see and participate in God's actions joyfully without being bogged down in the heaviness that most of us run into. I'll also vouch for his live performances--if you get the chance, you won't regret it.

by: christappan

11-01-2009 @ 3:02am

I just wanted to vouch for John's real-ness as well. I met and got to know him several years ago before he moved West, and he is the single most genuine person I've ever met. His music embodies his simple perspective on the world around--not ignorant or naive--but able to to see and participate in God's actions joyfully without being bogged down in the heaviness that most of us run into. I'll also vouch for his live performances--if you get the chance, you won't regret it.

by: Jesdisciple

11-02-2009 @ 2:06pm

The song reminded me of some older music, maybe the Beetles. I grew up on that stuff, so I think I'll like his work. I've added him to Pandora. =)

by: Jesdisciple

11-02-2009 @ 2:06pm

The song reminded me of some older music, maybe the Beetles. I grew up on that stuff, so I think I'll like his work. I've added him to Pandora. =)

by: RadicalChristianLibrarian

10-29-2009 @ 5:06am

I'm listening to the free download now- love the old school casio beats! That brings me back. Complete with sheep bleats, too!

I love it that God has chosen such interesting, talented, and fun people.

And the message is a good one, too- All we like sheep have gone astray.

by: RadicalChristianLibrarian

10-29-2009 @ 5:06am

I'm listening to the free download now- love the old school casio beats! That brings me back. Complete with sheep bleats, too!

I love it that God has chosen such interesting, talented, and fun people.

And the message is a good one, too- All we like sheep have gone astray.

by: Chris "Jesdisciple"

11-02-2009 @ 4:06pm

The song reminded me of some older music, maybe the Beetles. I grew up on that stuff, so I think I'll like his work. I've added him to Pandora. =)

by: thobie1

10-29-2009 @ 6:19pm

Thanks for this! I've been a fan of HHC for a few years now. Love the crazy inventiveness.

by: thobie1

10-29-2009 @ 6:19pm

Thanks for this! I've been a fan of HHC for a few years now. Love the crazy inventiveness.

Comments sorted by highest rated. After voting you must refresh your page to see the sort order change.

by: RadicalChristianLibrarian

10-29-2009 @ 5:06am

I'm listening to the free download now- love the old school casio beats! That brings me back. Complete with sheep bleats, too!

I love it that God has chosen such interesting, talented, and fun people.

And the message is a good one, too- All we like sheep have gone astray.

by: RadicalChristianLibrarian

10-29-2009 @ 5:06am

I'm listening to the free download now- love the old school casio beats! That brings me back. Complete with sheep bleats, too!

I love it that God has chosen such interesting, talented, and fun people.

And the message is a good one, too- All we like sheep have gone astray.

by: thobie1

10-29-2009 @ 6:19pm

Thanks for this! I've been a fan of HHC for a few years now. Love the crazy inventiveness.

by: thobie1

10-29-2009 @ 6:19pm

Thanks for this! I've been a fan of HHC for a few years now. Love the crazy inventiveness.

by: christappan

11-01-2009 @ 3:02am

I just wanted to vouch for John's real-ness as well. I met and got to know him several years ago before he moved West, and he is the single most genuine person I've ever met. His music embodies his simple perspective on the world around--not ignorant or naive--but able to to see and participate in God's actions joyfully without being bogged down in the heaviness that most of us run into. I'll also vouch for his live performances--if you get the chance, you won't regret it.

by: christappan

11-01-2009 @ 3:02am

I just wanted to vouch for John's real-ness as well. I met and got to know him several years ago before he moved West, and he is the single most genuine person I've ever met. His music embodies his simple perspective on the world around--not ignorant or naive--but able to to see and participate in God's actions joyfully without being bogged down in the heaviness that most of us run into. I'll also vouch for his live performances--if you get the chance, you won't regret it.

by: christappan

11-01-2009 @ 3:02am

I just wanted to vouch for John's real-ness as well. I met and got to know him several years ago before he moved West, and he is the single most genuine person I've ever met. His music embodies his simple perspective on the world around--not ignorant or naive--but able to to see and participate in God's actions joyfully without being bogged down in the heaviness that most of us run into. I'll also vouch for his live performances--if you get the chance, you won't regret it.

by: christappan

11-01-2009 @ 3:02am

I just wanted to vouch for John's real-ness as well. I met and got to know him several years ago before he moved West, and he is the single most genuine person I've ever met. His music embodies his simple perspective on the world around--not ignorant or naive--but able to to see and participate in God's actions joyfully without being bogged down in the heaviness that most of us run into. I'll also vouch for his live performances--if you get the chance, you won't regret it.

by: Jesdisciple

11-02-2009 @ 2:06pm

The song reminded me of some older music, maybe the Beetles. I grew up on that stuff, so I think I'll like his work. I've added him to Pandora. =)

by: Jesdisciple

11-02-2009 @ 2:06pm

The song reminded me of some older music, maybe the Beetles. I grew up on that stuff, so I think I'll like his work. I've added him to Pandora. =)

by: Chris "Jesdisciple"

11-02-2009 @ 4:06pm

The song reminded me of some older music, maybe the Beetles. I grew up on that stuff, so I think I'll like his work. I've added him to Pandora. =)

by: Chris "Jesdisciple"

11-02-2009 @ 4:06pm

The song reminded me of some older music, maybe the Beetles. I grew up on that stuff, so I think I'll like his work. I've added him to Pandora. =)