Aryk Crowder

Sit down. Put your headphones on. Take a deep breath and get ready for something spectacular.

Yes, I’m talking about a new EP from soulful R&B artist Aryk Crowder, 2x4 Vol. 1.

Due out on September 9, 2x4 Vol. 1 is a collection of four lush and gorgeous songs featuring simple rhythms, finger snaps, and clear and ringing acoustic guitar instrumentation. But the star of the show is Crowder’s smoky tone and silky delivery.

Crowder's writing skills are also apparent here, as he combines solid composition with well-written lyrics. A lovely finish the collection, the closing song, “Feel Loved,” is supported by some sweet strings. My favorite of the bunch, it’s wonderfully written and performed.

Crowder shares, “Working on 2x4 Vol. 1 was an incredible experience as it is not only my biggest project to date, but also that I got to work with such a great team on it. The musicians and engineers behind this record are by far the best people I have worked with. Not only are they all my friends, but as a team we work well and the bring the best out of me. They let me feel comfortable in being vulnerable on these songs and open to new ideas. I couldn't have made this record the same way without them."
2x4 Vol. 1 is the first half of a two-part EP series, with Volume 2 due to release next spring. Though comparisons to Jeff Buckley, John Mayer or Ben Harper aren't unwarranted, Crowder sports more love for true soul music than any of the above, as evidenced through the rustic tones of acoustic plucks.

Though the focus is on Crowder's expert vocals and masterful guitar work throughout, the 2x4 Vol. 1 is rounded out by hefty contributions from award winning hip-hop group, Sidewalk Chalk members Charlie Coffeen and Tyler Berg (co-production/keys and drums, respectively), engineer Chris Harden (Plain White T's, Hard Working Americans) of IV Lab Studios and Boiler Room mastering engineerColin Jordan, responsible for assisting a who's who of Chicago hip-hop talent over the years, such as Kanye West, Lupe Fiasco, and Twista.

Crowder began his quest for success in the heart of Chicago, after perfecting his debut EP Ready, Set in 2010. Crowder released his next record Over Getting Over in 2012, which was recorded and co-produced by Greg Magers (Lupe Fiasco, Umphree's McGee).

Excited for his upcoming release, Crowder explains, "After working on 2x4 for nearly 18 months since the creation of the concept, I feel like a proud papa with his new baby. I've been blessed to call Chicago home as the talent here in the soul, R&B, and hip hop scene is in abundance. It was great to be able to work with so many great, creative, Chicago folks on this record who believe in me and the music I'm making and that I can call friends. I feel as if this record will be what I need to start taking my music on a national level. I anticipate the next year to be nothing short of amazing."

Aryk Crowder is set to release 2x4 Vol. 1 on September 9, 2014.For updates, please visit: arykcrowder.com. - Guitar World

Chicago-based singer/songwriter Aryk Crowder has been crafting his own blend of hands-on soul for a number of years, performing what some have lovingly dubbed “guitaRnB”: In an age of digital sampling and having the recording process at the push of a button, Crowder’s kinetic fretwork and live-band performances bring to mind artists like Maxwell and John Mayer, putting him leagues ahead of those relying on backing tracks. His tender delivery and mastering of dynamics bring any track of his to life.

That personal flair delivers even more altruism to his latest single, “One By One,” and the accompanying video. Crowder wrote the cut in direct response to to the city’s growing gun violence issue, sparked by five people being shot (one killed) in front of his neighborhood church in Uptown. That first-hand impact “brought to me how real and widespread the gang-related gun violence is here in Chicago,” he remarks. The track succeeds in driving home this message over propulsive percussion and vintage keys. Crowder recognizes himself as an outsider to the gun violence issue, but he’s still driven to contribute to the conversation using his own brilliant talents.
For the video, directed by NK Gutierrez, Crowder aimed to use the platform to show how gun violence is far from just within the inner city. Through the clip, Crowder and actors Erynn Mackenzie and Rashaad Hill play a family affected by the sad reality that we see in everyday headlines.

Despite the bleak nature of the video’s main purpose, Gutierrez and Crowder capture Chicago from all angles. Whether under an L stop on 47th Street, on a rooftop in Riverwest, by the ABC7 building, in front of a school in Uptown or near an art installation that combats the violence issue on Halsted, the city is showcased at great length and while many directors would choose to portray an environment where violence and heartbreak would thrive, “One By One” makes Chicago look as vibrant as possible despite the circumstances of the characters.

Crowder will release “One By One” on YouTube along with a digital release of the single on December 2 via iTunes, Amazon, Spotify and other outlets. - Vents Magazine

Need a Hump Day boost, ARTISTdirectioners? Psyched about the upcoming holiday weekend, even though it signals the de facto end of summer? Well, whatever your mood, we've got a song from Aryk Crowder that we're premiering and we're psyched to share it with you!

We have teamed up with Crowder to exclusively premiere his new song "Perfect Body." It's an acoustic, soulful track, rife with emotion. In fact, it's dripping with emotion.

The song will live on 2x4 Vol. 1, out September 9.

"After watching the documentary Miss.Representation, I started looking at how the topics in that film had affected the relationships in my life. It wasn't long after watching the film that I sat to pen the lyrics for this song. Far too often in our country, we place a woman's value along side her looks. It's an unfortunate viewpoint that needs to be changed."

That's why we love this song and Aryk Crowder. I want a perfect body. I want a perfect soul, to quote Thom Yorke.

This one is definitely for the ladies.

With all this in mind, enjoy "Perfect Body."
Read more at http://www.artistdirect.com/entertainment-news/article/exclusive-song-premiere-aryk-crowder-perfect-body/11197943#fvQvDC5fYvuriM0k.99 - Artist Direct

It was in his late teens that Aryk Crowder got into the sounds of James Taylor, Maxwell and Prince. Taking notes from the greats he’s been admiring, Chicago R&B singer has developed a powerful falsetto voice and has been perfecting his songwriting abilities ever since.

Live From Studio 10 airs Tuesdays at 8pm CST on Vocalo 90.7 FM (CHI) / 89.5 FM (NWI) and Vocalo.org, and features emerging bands and music artists from Chicago and beyond. One hour of music and interview, all live. The show is hosted by Jesse Menendez, produced by Fyodor Sakhnovski and engineered by Adam Yoffe. Subscribe to the podcast here: bitly.com/vocaloLFS10 -

SoulSistas And SoulBruthas! Did a little profile last year of this cat out of Chicago, Aryk Crowder. My man has got a brand new song out this week called, 'Over Getting Over.' It's a real nice slice of contemporary SOUL. Backed by a live band, which is seemingly becoming rare these days, Aryk's got some serious guitar chops and a cool distinctive voice, all on display with this cut. Talked to him a bit about the tune.


How long have you been working on this record and give us a little description of it?

Along with a handful of others, I wrote this song about 2 years ago after going through a rough ending to a lengthy relationship. I originally brought it to my band as an acoustic demo and we developed it over the course of a few months. It went thru a few re-writes before we got it to where I was really happy with all the pieces and felt the sound was represented properly. As for a description... I feel this record embodies a lot of the musical flavors I really dig and represent, Soul and Rock & Roll. A lot of my influences and inspirations really come thru in this record.

I'm getting a real nice vibe from the new single. It's got a cool live-smooth-SOUL thing happening. What are some of your influences? I'm definitely hearing a little Prince in your guitar playing.

I definitely prefer to record live as much as possibile. I like to track the drums and bass together as my rhythm section really clicks with one another. My influences are all over the board, but I'm definitely a big Prince fan as well as big Hendrix fan. I have to say though, I've never picked up my guitar and tried to emulate either of them. Although they've both definitely helped shape how I approach the guitar, imitation is something I try to avoid.
When's the record coming out and where can folks keep up with you. You just launched a new web site, right? I heard you might be giving away the single for free.

I'm doing a digital only release on October 2nd via iTunes and everywhere else you get your music digitally. However, starting September 17th I'm doing a free advance download for 5 days as a thank you to those who help spread the word via facebook. Folks just gotta go to facebook.com/arykcrowder and click the like tab to get access to the free download. From there they can re-post and help an independent artist grow. I really hope folks dig it as much as I dug pouring myself into the process of getting it right. Hopefully, when word starts spreading, it'll be the start to help fund a possibile EP in the spring.

As for my website, yeah, I just gave arykcrowder.com a complete overhaul. Real simple, keeping it to the essentials. I find life much easier when things are less complicated. The best way for folks to keep current with me is on my facebook page (facebook.com/arykcrowder). Twitter works too (twitter.com/arykcrowder).

BIG thanks to Aryk for providing a little insight!

PLEASE head over and grab up this tune.
Show your support for another independent SOUL artist out there doing his thing!!! - heavysoulbrutha.com

Chicago based soul singer/songwriter and guitarist, Aryk Crowder is one of those artist who quietly creeps onto your radar, having you feel like you've single-handedly discovered the next big sensation. I had the pleasure of seeing Mr. Crowder perform live last month at an artistic event produced by Obi Soulstar, where I admittedly was preoccupied mingling with guests to fully take notice of the lone guitarist sitting on a stool singing his heart out. It wasn't until I got a hold of his debut EP, Ready, Set... that I put 2 + 2 together, and now it's only right that I share this newfound talent with all of you. If he's not new to you, shame on you for not sharing with rest of us, although I do understand the urge to keep the good stuff to yourself. - H.A.S. Magazine

Chicago Tunes does their interviews via video. Click the link below to check out the interview! - Chicago Tunes