Standing at the intersection of two busy roads in the heart of his hometown of Chicago is the perfect metaphor for the music Aryk Crowder creates. Crowder’s music, like Chicago’s bustling downtown traffic patterns, is a mash up of influences, from blues and R&B to groove laden pop and hip hop.
Back in 2014, Crowder released the first of his 2 x 4 EP series. The second installment, 2 x 4, Vol. 2, dropped last week. Opting for a simpler approach to the recording process, Crowder presents the songs on the new EP almost as skeletons for future endeavors. Though complete in their own rite, Crowder offers that the songs could be ripe for future evolution.
“Similar to how 2 x 4s are the framework for a home, most of these songs are similar in that they are the framework for what could be larger arrangements,” says Crowder. “I decided to give them a stripped down approach to let the song itself speak. Maybe someday I’ll rerecord them, but for now I like the delivery of simplicity.”
While I have been grooving to the new EP since I got it, I am even more excited for what the blog brings this week. Premieres always get me a bit tickled, and Trail Mix is excited to offer fans and new listeners the first chance to check out the video for “What You Want,” the kickoff track from the brand new EP.
Aryk Crowder has a run of shows in New York City early next month. For more information on him, how you can get your hands on the new EP, or when Aryk Crowder might be coming to a stage near you, please check out his website.
