Bringing an abrupt end to an eight-month hiatus, Cloud Cult just announced a surprise free show tonight at Wall Amphitheater on the University of Wisconsin-River Falls campus, and it has at least seven more gigs on the books for summer. Tonight's outdoor gig might be worth the hour or so drive for Twin Cities area fans, what with the decent weather forecast and the fact that Jeremy Messersmith is set to open, along with the Bad Habits Brass Band.

The only other somewhat local gig on the band's itinerary right now is an Aug. 24 date at Somerset Amphitheater, for a weekend festival yet to be announced there. Cloud Cult's next show after River Falls is a big one: the Sasquatch Festival over Memorial Day weekend in Gorge, Wa., so tonight should serve as a good warm-up. The band has been on break while frontman Craig Minowa and his wife Connie welcomed another baby to the household. Minowa has also reportedly been busy writing songs for an album that could very likely be out by year's end.