Contemporary icon David Crowder's music has been in my life for a long time. When I was younger, my dad always played the artist's music in our family minivan. But, if you're not familiar with Crowder, here's a little information about him: he started out under the name David Crowder*Band, releasing songs with an electronic folk vibe to them (folktronica, as he commonly referred to it). Once his band split in 2012, Crowder launched his own solo career.
Since then, he's released hit songs like "I Am," "Come As You Are," and one of my personal favorites, "Run Devil Run." But right now, I dare say he's at the peak of his career. In June 2021, he released his latest album, Milk & Honey. And, recently, he dropped the deluxe version.
I had another opportunity to speak with Crowder. He talked about the album's extended cut, the Passion 2022 annual conference, his summer plans, and more. He even taught me how to pronounce the word "deluxe" correctly. (Turns out southerners emphasize the "E." Who knew?)
Since we last talked, you went on the Milk & Honey Tour with worship leader and songwriter Sean Curran. Tell us about that experience?
It was great; it felt like we took church on the road. It was wonderful getting to be back out on tour. But every city was a little different with COVID-19 protocols changing. Before we left home, I thought half the dates might get canceled--we held everything very loosely. But none of the dates were canceled.
I found it to be a very life-giving tour: it felt good to be around people who are following Jesus in a way that inspires me. Also, in the middle of the tour, Sean Curran and his wife had a baby, so he was coping with baby daddy stuff.
I've been recording music for a long time. It's my way of getting to participate and be a part of a community of believers. I find it wonderful to be around a dinner table and look, hear, and catch up on life. Similarly, it's amazing to be in a room with people and sing songs that re-orient us to what we believe is true.
When you hear somebody across the table talk about their week, you recognize that you've had similar experiences. When they're able to say, "Here's how God was faithful," you recognize that God will be faithful towards you. That's what I've missed most about live music. I love being around people and singing songs that help me re-orient my list of things that are important in life.
Speaking of Milk & Honey, you recently released the album's deluxe edition. The extended cut features a new song, as well as updated versions of hits like "In The House." Talk a little about that.
I included a brand new song on the deluxe album called "King." Some may say, "You have a song on Milk & Honey called 'Who's Gonna Stop The King.' Why didn't you write 'King' sooner?" But when I turned the album in, I told everyone that I was still writing songs. They asked, "Are you writing a new album?" I said, "I don't know." So "King" probably should've been included to begin with, so that's my fault.
But we also were able to record songs live on the Milk & Honey Tour. When we were in Austin, Texas, we hit the record button. So, we're including that live version of "In The House" on the deluxe album. For me, playing concerts is all about seeing someone sing along. You see their eyes and realize they believe the words you're singing. I need to see that because a lot of times I'm singing out of a place of hope. I need to look at somebody and see the monument of God's faithfulness.
In January, you performed at the Passion 2022 conference. And on the deluxe album, you're including "God Really Loves Us," a live performance from that event. Talk about the conference and the journey getting back to its hosting venuue, the Mercedes Benz Stadium.
We had been in the Benz before in January 2020. But in 2021, we couldn't be in that stadium for Passion due to COVID-19. But this year, for Passion 2022, we were finally able to go back, but nobody really knew if it was actually going to happen. Granted, the venue was hosting college football games a couple of days before the conference, but still. We were holding our schedule very loosely because of COVID-19 protocols. Things were very fluid.
Passion 2021 was streamed on the internet, live from Passion City Church. There were probably only 100 to 150 people all spread out in the building. During the conference, I was singing some new songs because I was working on the Milk & Honey project at the time. I've been doing stuff with Passion for years. Passion always means that we get together from various places. That's not what happened at the event in 2021.
I remember getting done with my set and thinking, "I hope that translated well." Because, typically, at Passion, we sing together, and it's a collective experience. We feed off what's happening. That's what music does. I was thinking, "I don't know. That didn't feel like a Passion thing." But then, Pastor Louie Giglio told me the next day that over 700,000 people had attended Passion 2021 virtually that night.
Being in the Mercedes Benz Stadium this year, looking at the 60,000 college kids in the room, totally shifted my awareness. Passion is bigger than just this physical thing that's happening. We live-streamed the conference again. We gathered in such a way that the church felt bigger, broader, more diverse, and more beautiful than I could ever imagine. It was great being back in the Benz for Passion 2022 this year. But it also gave me an awareness that the global church is much bigger than what I can see in front of me on any given day.
God can use music in incredible ways. How have you seen your songs impact the lives of others?
I don't know that it's my songs that are impacting listeners. It's more about what I touched on earlier: being back in a room of people. Doing so re-orients us to the truth that we're made for community. From the beginning, the narrative has been that the transcendent God takes dust and breathes life into it. Think of the Garden of Eden, when it was just God and Adam. God said in Genesis 2:18, "It's not good that you should be alone," which means that it wasn't good for Adam to be without God's likeness in another.
When we're around each other, we can see subjects like grace more clearly. We see what it looks like to hurt someone and have them say, "I forgive you." I now understand more of what that looks like in my relationship with my maker. I'm trying to sing that truth over and over. But I think a lot of it's just the fact that our proximity to one another makes those songs feel more reasonable.
You're currently touring with Christian pop icon TobyMac, performing on his Hits Deep Tour. Tell us about life on the road.
When I first started making music, dcTalk was part of my journey. I remember writing songs for the church thinking, "I'd love to tour with TobyMac." Now, years later, after trying to get on the road together, it's finally happening. That's what's fun about what I do because it feels like, "Oh, my goodness, I'm living my dream. I'm on the road with TobyMac." Toby and his band are some of the nicest people I've ever toured with. They're incredible folks, so I'm having a great time.
What's next? What does 2022 look like for you?
I'm embarking on a summer tour with some of my favorite people, such as contemporary band We The Kingdom. Songwriter Ed Cash is an incredible human; he's been in my life for a long time. Now, he and his family are making music together, and I'm so happy that they're a band. I'm also looking forward to having a month off this summer. I'm going to cook a lot of omelets with cheese and eggs and be in the sunshine.
Finally, how can we be praying for you?
Pray that people around me will be consistent in their pursuit of Jesus. That would pretty much be it because I think that will solve any of the potential challenges we may face.
Grace Chaves has been a fan of all things Christian music since 2016. She is NRT's news editor, and one of NRT's youngest writers. Homeschooled, Grace is an author, loves Jesus, concerts, and road trips.
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