Stone Cloud Sunday Rocks | Video

Michelle San Miguel | 4/30/2012

If every song tells a story, then a North Dakota band wants to tell the story of the Bakken oil boom.

The five members of Stone Cloud Sunday were born and raised in North Dakota. If any doubted how much they love their state, the Mandan and North Dakota flags draping side by side behind them during practice quickly gives it away.

"We`re proud of where we come from and we hope that the music that we play does our home justice," said singer Austin Peterson.

But band members aren`t so proud of how the oil boom has changed the state. They`re carrying that disappointment to their lyrics, like in their song "Rollin Hills." They say it`s their outcry to the state, particularly those who are moving to North Dakota because of the Bakken.

"Those of us that are from North Dakota our whole lives, we kind of thought that this place was our gem in the rough," Peterson said. "We`ve been here the whole time. We know how great this state is whether there`s oil under our feet or not and a lot of people don`t realize that and they`re just here for that."

Their music tells the story of an often forgotten state now under the close watch of the whole nation.

"You know we`re not in the heat of it like Williston or Dickinson is so it`s kind of an observation from where we are. We kind of maybe see it coming our way," said lead guitarist Matt Foster.

They`re not afraid that lyrics like, "Keep your distance if you ain`t home grown" may stir up some controversy. In fact, they expect it.

Peterson said, "Some people won`t like it. Some people will. That`s the risk you take when you make your own music and you present it to the public."

And it`s a risk they`re willing to take.

Stone Cloud Sunday and three other bands will be performing at the The Post near Mandan on Friday. Doors open at 7:00 p.m. Admission is five dollars.

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