The daily digest of Twin Cities culture | Secrets of the City

A small army of bicycles standing guard outside the Walker Art Center glints like miniature sunbursts while lines stretch like anxious snakes down the sidewalk. The sold out crowd of 7,500 brave hour long entry waits, sunburns, and sweat for Rock The Garden and a chance to see indie pop's brightest talents.

The Cloud Cult experience can be called many names. It is captivating. It is overwhelming. It is bone-chillingly pure. It is beautiful. And it is raw in a way that exposes many facets of emotion.

It must be the string section.

There is something about a lush cello and violin washing over a room that cuts right to the core. It strips away any posturings and pulls at those feelings hidden deep inside.

Or maybe it's Craig Minowa's painfully delicate tenor.