Becoming the Remedy
David Crowder discusses how he hopes his band's intentionally simpler album will inspire others to spark change in their local communities.
by Jackie A. Chapman | posted 11/26/2007
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In just short of a decade, the David Crowder Band has amassed a loyal following through their uniquely textured alternative worship music. Yet fans were surprised by the release of the Band's fourth full-length project, Remedy, because it was so much simpler and straightforward than its wildly creative predecessor, A Collision. Turns out there was a reason for that, as Crowder talks about the inspiration behind the album, his hope to spark social change through music, and the story behind all those EPs the band keeps releasing.
David Crowder (far right, in green) and band hope their intentionally simpler album will inspire others to be "the remedy" in their local communities.
What's the motivation for releasing new music every year?
David Crowder We don't count the nonsense [the EPs]. That B Collision disc? We don't even remember doing that. [Chuckling] Seriously though, those are more to tide over the few folks who are paying attention to us. It's us giving back to the peeps. Take those shorter records out and we're releasing albums about two years apart, which is a normal pace.
So, it's not an attempt to face the changing industry by releasing more music, more often?
Crowder The whole thing is changing, isn't it? Music sales are down, at least in stores. Overall though, the shelf life of a CD is shorter. There is not as much rack space in stores. A record could be out for only six months before something takes its place.
What direction do you see the music business going?
Crowder I think it will become more like it used to be back in the early days when singles drove the business. I think we could see more music become song-driven or single-driven, rather than album-driven. When an artist has a hit single, then labels will typically put the money behind them to do a full-length album.
But in your case, you're releasing EPs because you just have extra material to use?
Crowder I don't know if it's boredom and we're trying to busy ourselves, or maybe a year goes by and people who have the latest album ask for something different. We have the material so we use it. Maybe I'm sick, but I enjoy it when artists tackle their songs again, and since that is part of the way we as band listen to music, we give our people some of the same songs rearticulated.
When writing songs for worship, do you consider how vocal range, programming effects, and the unique style of David Crowder Band translates in churches outside your own?
Crowder I once went to a Pearl Jam concert in Dallas where there were 20,000 of us in the arena. The lyrics were projected and from beginning to end we sang all the songs. I'm sure Eddie [Vedder] never thought about vocal range [or style] when he asked us to join him; that wasn't an issue.
When music finds its way to people who attach readily to [lyrics], it pulls them and they can't help but participate. So we haven't been terribly concerned about the dressings of the songs. I'm always aware that first and foremost our function is not to express ourselves as artists. We help people articulate their faith. If a song doesn't function with that filter in our community, it was probably not all that good or all that helpful for the people.
Still, you have an artistic bent to your sound with the programming and loops, which are atypical to much congregational worship. Do you play your songs the same way as you would play them at church?
Crowder It's the same thing at home. These are all songs we sing together as a community. Admittedly, we have a unique setting in our church community. I see our stuff [performed] in other churches and it doesn't work quite as well there as it does at home.
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