Eyeswide

BARRIE - Barrie’s Neil Crowe is hitting the road, again.
He’s been traveling across Canada and the U.S. for the past three years promoting his music and playing for anyone who’ll listen.
Crowe, also known as Eyeswide, will head to New York State later this month for a series of shows with fellow Barrie musician Brittney Fulton and New Yorker Kelsey Warren.
“I’d been to New York before, but Brittney and I were talking and decided I’d head down there and bring her along for her first shows down there,” he said.
The trip includes stops in Rochester and Brooklyn.
This after Crowe returned from an east coast tour just last week.
“I went alone. It’s kind of nice to drive yourself and stop when you want to stop,” he said. “But you miss the girlfriend and the dog back at home. Its just part of making music.”
The musician said his biggest goal, which is true of most musicians, is to break even.
“When you are on the road all you want to do is break even. This last trip I actually made a profit, so I must be doing something right,” he said.
Crowe also plans on hitting the studio sometime soon for an album he hopes to have completed by the end of May. The album will be a follow up to his debut In Three Days.
“I am touring in Europe in June and July so I have to get it done before then,” he said. “The pressure’s on.”
For more information, visit www.eyeswide.ca. - Barrie Advance

Local Solo-acoustic Musician Neil Crowe completed his six-week Eyeswide Cross Canada Tour at the Brownstone Cafe last month! It was an awesome intimate party that coincided with the Starry Nights Art Tour, featuring photography by William Smart. Neil opened up the show with a great set of favourites from his full length album "In Three Days", followed by a house rocking show by Toronto's Freeman Dre & The Kitchen Party! Be sure to check out both acts by visiting their websites www.eyeswide.ca and www.freemandreandthekitchenparty.bandcamp.com - SNAP Barrie

When I spoke with Barrie, Ontario crooner Neil Crowe last week, he said he was celebrating his 31st, marking the date with a few casual drinks.

"It's just not as cool as when you're a kid, when you got a s**tload of cool presents like G.I. Joes and Transformers," he said.

This year, Crowe received the most respectable adult toy: an iPhone 4 to replace his aging flip phone.

The gift will come in handy when Crowe starts his East Coast tour tomorrow. On a tour to New York last year, his girlfriend recorded footage from all of his shows on her iPhone, which the two pieced together for a music video for his song, #22. Crowe says he plans on doing the same on his East Coast trip.

Crowe's title Eyeswide has taken various forms in the couple years he's been playing his Dave Matthews-esque brand of pop/rock. It's been a four-piece, a two-piece and a solo act. For his upcoming dates, Crowe is hitting the road alone.

His first album, In Three Days, came out last October, and was recorded in - you guessed it - three days.

"I had to do what I could, but it worked out, because I like simple beats," he said.

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Catch Neil Crowe at Sackville's Bridge Street Café (8 Bridge St., 536-4428) on July 17, and at Moncton's Plan B (212 St. George St., 384-2019) on July 20.

- Here Weekly

A Barrie musician is getting in tune with the road.

Neil Crowe has been 'noodling' on a guitar long enough to memorize the 12 notes of the musical alphabet, but a seven-stop tour will once again put his knowledge to the test.

"Music is like anything. It's whatever you want it to be," Crowe said. "Sometimes it frustrates me, but it's just something that is always going to be in my life now. It's always going to be there."

Under the project name, Eyeswide, Crowe has kicked around Barrie's music scene for more than two years crafting original songs into the rock album, 'In Three Days', which many residents have become familiar with.

"It's a tough little crowd and it's tough to get in because a lot of the bars are big on cover songs," he said. "I don't really do that kind of scene. I'm not too interested in doing three sets a night of covers."

Leaving his home in Barrie to do an acoustic tour isn't a new concept for Crowe.

In fact, he and his trusty six-string have played shows across the country.

"I like it because I love traveling, so it's good to be on the road and just seeing different cities," he said. "And going back to cities I've discovered. It's awesome that I get to do that."

Crowe kicked off his tour at Lagniappes Cafe Wednesday night in up-state New York where old friend and fellow musician, Kelsey Warren, joined him on the road.

"I'm going over to Buffalo to do a cafe gig and I'm picking up the guy who's coming on tour with me for a while — he's from New York," Crowe said.

Armed with a pocket full of picks, Crowe is taking his brand of rock and roll to the masses, and said he intends to give them everything he's got.

"I just want them to enjoy the night and hopefully they enjoy the songs," he said. "Because I'm unknown it's hard for people to discover me."

During Crowe's university years he picked up a bass guitar and studied the stylings of Les Claypool from Primus and Flea from The Red Hot Chilli Peppers, which unknown to Crowe at the time, was his foundation for writing music.

"I never sang or anything. I just played Primus and Chilli Peppers and stuff like that," he said. "Then I just picked up a guitar because I couldn't sing on bass, and so a lot of my rhythms have grooves, then I think of the melody."

Some of those grooves will be heard on a Christmas compilation disk after Crowe recorded a childhood classic at OneStar Studio in Barrie's south end.

"Sandra Roberts (CEO of PIE Magazine) wants to put a Christmas CD together so she asked me to record a song," he said.

"So I did my version of 'You're a Mean One Mr. Grinch' and it came out pretty cool and everyone who's heard so far liked it."

Crowe will make additional stops in Kingston, Toronto and Montreal where he'll debut new material before returning home to play the The Port at 18 Dunlop St. West, in early 2012.

"I've only played the new stuff for three or four shows, and I'll tell people that," he said. "I made a couple mistakes, but people have clapped pretty loudly so far."

In the New Year, Crowe will record a new album at multiple studios in central Ontario which he hopes will be a culmination of not only new material, but fellow musicians.

"I want to do a little bit at different studios. I want to go to Toronto and try Phase One (studio) for at least one song," he said. "I'm going to bring in a bunch of different musicians and see what they put to the songs."

When the new album is mixed, mastered and put on CD, Crowe said he wants to broaden his sound wave by taking his songs to a whole new audience.

"I'm trying to do an East Coast tour in February and throwing around the idea of doing a European tour," he said. "It's kind of a release, I suppose. I love playing music and I like writing it."

For more information, visit www.eyeswide.ca.
- The Barrie Examiner

Musician Neil Crowe, a.k.a. 'Eyeswide', a Thunder Bay native who now lives in Barrie, and Julien Michaud of Richmond, invited guests to Atria last February for their last stop on an East Coast Tour. After 12 completed engagements, playing across New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and PEI; they made their last stop in Oshawa before heading home after an 18 day tour. Eyeswide is based around an acoustic guitar and a suitcase. It is minimalist acoustic rock at its best and Crowe delivers in his solo acoustic project. The album shows a range of Crowe's awesome lyrical capabilities and was recorded “In Three Days” (hence the name). Pick up your copy at Sunrise Records or online at www.eyeswide.ca - Snap Oshawa

The second Lovers and Thieves tour took off recently making its first ever stop in Halifax. The night featured Neil Crowe of Eyeswide & Julien Michaud of Richmond Switch. Snaubar hosted the tour on Valentine's Day at their location on Dresden Row. Visit www.eyeswide.ca or search julienmichaudmusic & loversandthieves on myspace. - Snap Halifax

Local musician Neil Crowe, a.k.a. 'Eyeswide', invited guests to At the Five for a CD Release party, presenting the full-length album "In Three Days" at the show! Joining Neil was acoustic duo Jon n' Joe and Future History, a group from Toronto that places their music in the 'Psychedelic Love Noise' genre! Neil Crowe and Aaron Gifkins recorded "In Three Days" over a weekend (hence the name) at The Chalet with Producer Theo Posthumus, then finished recording and mastering with Producer Rob Sheele of Red Sonic studios. The album shows a range of Crowe's awesome lyrical capabilities. Pick up your copy at Sunrise Records or online at www.eyeswide.ca - SNAP Barrie

Neil Crowe's eyes are wide these days, but they'll be even wider tonight.

"It's pretty exciting," said Crowe, a Barrie musician who will celebrate his first full-length offering, In Three Days, with a release party at At The Five (10 Dunlop St. E.) beginning around 9 p.m.

Crowe, who delivers his solo acoustic project under the pseudonym Eyeswide, has only been performing in front of audiences for two years.


But through constant gigging -- mostly intimate open-mike sessions played at pubs and bars across the city -- he's discovered a deep passion for the craft and steadily put more emphasis on the musical pursuit.

"Right now, I'm pouring my own money into it, but I'm going to give it a couple years," Crowe said, adding he's trying to "get himself out there" through heavy touring in Canada and elsewhere.

He recently returned from a stint on the festival circuit, which took him across North America, as well to the U.K.

Indeed, since performing a Counting Crows song ( Mr. Jones) as well as an original, in front of "about five people" at an open-mike session at Doc Malones, the music -- and touring -- has come together quickly for the Thunder Bay native who lives in Barrie and works as a supply teacher.

"This is all new," said Crowe, who likens his music to Dave Matthews Band, Elliott Brood and rising Canadian folk sensation Dan Mangan. "It just kind of popped up. I'd write a song and I started going to open mikes ... it took me awhile -- about a year -- until I was ready to record."

When he was ready, Crowe turned to up-and-coming Canadian producer Theo Posthumus and dove into the recording process at The Chalet, which has churned out records for the likes of notables including Rush, The Barenaked Ladies and Chantal Kreviazuk. Crowe finished recording at Red Sonic Studios, under producer Rob Sheele.

After three days -- that's where the album title stems from -- Crowe walked out with a batch of 10 diverse songs showcasing an array of sound-scapes and emotion.

The elegant A Song I Think She'd Like stands out as the heartstring-tugger, while the guitar-centric All Too Easy and the groovy, Thunder Bayinspired #22 give the album a rugged feel. The final track, Smile, was written for a friend's wedding
"Good times, bad times," Crowe said when asked what drives his songwriting.

And there are a few darker moments on In Three Days.

"Sadder songs are just easier to write," Crowe said with a laugh. "Even though I'm not a depressant person, the downside pops up a bit easier."

With the follow-up to his self-recorded demo -- "I'm sure it makes a nice coaster," Crowe jokes in the liner notes -- now complete, the upstart musician plans to do some more touring in an effort to spread his wings beyond the local scene.

With a guitar, kick drum and tambourine at his disposal, he plans to keep things in check along the way.

"I don't think I'm anything important," Crowe said. "I consider myself lucky when people pay attention at shows."

Along with the new album, Crowe is also the co-creator of An Evening With Lovers and Thieves -- a music/art mission that sees local musicians and artists gather in an attempt to break barriers while growing the cultural scene.

"We've had three so far. People enjoy it," he said. "Slowly, but surely."

For more information, visit www.eyeswide.ca.

- The Barrie Examiner

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"The cd sounds good...i had it in the other day, it made my car explode." - Facebook

The Ascent Lounge recently opened it's doors for a terrific evening of celebration and support for local musicians and artists. "An Evening with Lovers and Thieves" featured four amazing musical acts - Bob Charters, Adam Skinner, Dave Thomson and eyeswide played terrific sets throughout the night. Also highlighted was an art show and silent auction showcasing the paintings of local artist Angela Taylor and the photography of Neil Crowe. Event organizers, Gina and Neil, would like to thank everyone for coming out and their generous sponsors, Broken Rocket Studios and Grand Prix Cycle for their support of the inaugural event. For more info on upcoming events please visit www.eyeswide.ca
http://www.snapbarrie.com/index.php?option=com_sngevents&id%5B%5D=109709 - Snap Barrie

Eyeswide Entertainment hosted their second Lovers & Thieves Event with two great nights of Original Music and Art in Barrie! The aim of the events is to inspire Barrie venues to hire for original acts and bring attention to our city as an Art mecca! The first night was held at The Ascent Lounge hosting Live Acoustic acts including Bobby Charters, Eyeswide & Last Night, in for the weekend from Thunder Bay! Art by Erin & Kelly Carty, Liz Green & Neil Crowe was featured and extraordinary prizes, donated by local businesses, were just given away! Saturday's show, held at At the Five featured full band performances by Kangaroo Box Thief, Last Night & Special Guest, Afraid of Humans from Toronto! Again, prizes valued at over $250 were presented to lucky guests throughout the night. The music was hot, the art was extraordinary and the vibe was super fun, be sure to check in for upcoming events at www.eyeswide.ca
http://www.snapbarrie.com/index.php?option=com_sngevents&id%5B%5D=163600 - SNAP BARRIE