Long before the first volume of his 2×4 EP series, everything about Chicago R&B/soul sensation Aryk Crowder has been about building a sturdy, tangible structure on which his unique vision can thrive. From his early four-track recordings in a studio apartment to recent grass-roots efforts in crowd-sourcing and charity work to the hand-stamped artwork and distribution of 2×4, it’s all innovative, creative and certainly DIY, but Crowder’s ethic also hearkens back to a time before DIY was hip or underground. With his own two hands, Crowder isn’t building walls in order to stand-out, so much as bridges.
After months of perfecting his demo in the late 00’s, Crowder began his quest for success in the heart of Chicago. The city’s local music scene eagerly opened its arms to its newest musician. Soon after arriving, he had booked live performances at some of the city’s most prominent venues, many of which he continues to be requested back to, such as the House of Blues, Reggie’s, Hard Rock Cafe, Subterranean, Martyrs’ and Uncommon Ground. Whether solo or joined by his infections live band, Crowder has wow’d audiences as an opener for New Kids on the Block’s Jordan Knight and singer/songwriter Mat Kearney, as well as at a sold-out, debut appearance at Angels & Kings (owned by Fall Out Boy’s Pete Wentz). Crowder has also racked up several stunning live on-air performances on WGN 720AM, WBEZ 91.5FM, Vocalo 90.7FM and Fearless Radio, reaching worldwide audiences listening over the internet.
In this interview spotlight, we chat with Aryk about the newest volume in his series (due out Friday, November 11), influences, navigating the digital music world and more.
Full Q&A along with links and a stream of Brooklyn can be found below.
https://soundcloud.com/arykcrowder/brooklyn/s-nVVjj?in=arykcrowder/sets/2×4-vol2/s-jwnNN
Where are you from and what style of music do you create? (In your own words, not necessarily in marketing terms or by popular genre classifications.)
Growing up, I was in a little town about 70 miles north of Chicago, called Zion. Music creating was abundant among teens there and I was one of those folks who took that path. There wasn’t really any venues for us to play, but we made our own scenes and played shows in garages, backyards and makeshift venues. As for what kind of music I create now… It’s a healthy blend of soul, pop, and rock. All genres that I’ve been heavily influenced by and what inspires me most. Prince, Stevie Ray, Hendrix, Maxwell, AC/DC… all rotate throughout my play list among many others.
What led you down this path of music and what motivates you to stay the course?
My earliest memory was seeing my mom sing with a country band she performed with. I really dug the amps and guitars and just the guttural aspect of a band in a garage rehearsing. What keeps me staying the course so many years later is a feeling I can’t really describe. It’s just something inside you feel you have to do. As it’s what you’re meant to do. It definitely gets harder to stay the course as I get older and obligations and needs and wants settle in.
Who or what are your biggest influences when it comes to your creativity?
Influences range all over the place. Although musicians are a huge influence as to how I play, sing, and write (Prince, Maxwell, John Mayer, Hendrix, etc.), I definitely draw inspiration from life in general. Whether it be a conversation I have or something I see.. life is a never ending supply of inspiration
How is your new release different than previous ones? Did you set out to accomplish anything specific?
Aiming to do something different was the whole purpose of the songs on the 2×4 series. As a solo artists that is still cutting teeth, getting my band on the road with me is rather tough and so when traveling, most all my shows on the road are solo acoustic. And so with this collection of songs I wanted to be able to showcase that. Many of the songs on the 2×4 collection are stripped down to essential elements versus having a full band arrangement. I viewed them as they were the framework. So similar as to how 2×4’s are the framework for a home, these songs are similar in nature. There are a few songs I definitely needed to have the band on and get my electric guitar on.
Do you face any challenges as an indie musician in a digital age? On the flip side, how has technology helped you (if it has)?
As an indie musician, there’s a lot of challenges in getting a sustainable music career off the ground. I don’t really have anything to compare it to as I wasn’t trying to do this 20 years ago, but the fact that indie musicians can easily get their music on digital platforms that release globally is a huge! In addition to being able to distribute our music globally through platforms like iTunes and Spotify, recording is now so much easier too! When I was 20 years old, recording music on my own meant either a 4 track tape recorder for low quality stuff or quite a bit of large, expensive equipment to have something decent. You needed to have quite a bit of skill and patience for both. We’re now to the point where I can simply plug my guitar into my computer and have access to any sound I want. I can design entire songs from home. I still go to a studio to track songs that I’ll release as those folks recording skills are far beyond mine, but being able to create at home without limits is amazing.
How do you feel about streaming services? Any romantic attachments to the physical formats: vinyl, 8-track, cassettes, CDs?
As a consumer, I dig streaming services. There’s no easier way to carry around every, single song I want to hear. As an artist, I’m indifferent about it. Yeah, the pay isn’t great. But the fact that I can potentially reach thousands, if not millions of ears is something I couldn’t do as an independent artist. I do miss the experience of being excited about a release and then headed to the store to scoop it up on the day of it’s release. That seems to have gone away as we now have it in our pocket at our disposal. There’s also something to buying an album. You listened to the whole thing as constantly swapping cd’s for one song was a hassle. You got to discover those hidden gems that the label or artists didn’t showcase. I remember finding some of my favorite songs that way.
Where can we follow you online and hear more music?
Due to how my first name is spelled, I pretty much have the lockdown on everything Aryk Crowder. Aside from my website (arykcrowder.com), type in whatever site you want /arykcrowder and I’ll be there.
Anything else before we sign off?
Train Hard, Say Your Prayers, and eat your Vitamins. That’s what Hulk Hogan always used to say at the end of interviews and so I figured it’s gotta be something of merit, right?
