Crownover: Another Day in Our 20s
Crownover is the alter ego of one of the most diversified properties in music. Some people may know him as the magnificent and wonderful Kyle, and as you may have heard at a concert or two, people like to beg and scream to “let Kyle sing.” You may know him as “Keekers,” one half of the #1 podcast on the planet, The Keekers and Ferg #1 Podcast Show, where he shares the airwaves with Seth Ferguson. You may have heard him sing at a festival, or caught a Crownover show. You may know him from his Twitter and Instagram fame, making parodies and social commentary that gets picked up by multiple media outlets. Kyle is a busy man, and on top of all of this he’s releasing a new EP, Another Day in Our 20s.
This new EP is another step in the journey of an exploratory songwriter, who isn’t afraid to explore into the indie pop territory, or step into something that sounds like it may be on the radio. Surrounded by a scene that prides itself on a punk rock mentality with a southern accent, Kyle isn’t afraid to write songs that feel less inspired by back roads, and more inspired by the alternative hits that may be on the radio as you drive them. It’s a soulful and beautiful record that speaks to small town kids who’ve grown up and may have spread out.
The opener of the EP is a soulful “Nowhere No Woman,” which talks of youth spoiled by loneliness. He spreads his wings and moves away, only to find the stress that comes from being disconnected without an anchor, whether that’s a space or another soul. The song moves well, and as always, Kyle’s vocals are sincere and emotive.
“The Coming of Age” feels thematically to be the highlight of the record. Many of these songs feel like they are just that, coming of age songs. Lamenting how we all want to grow up, then we do, and often find it isn’t nearly what we thought it would be. Time can’t move backwards, and as Kyle lets us know, it only speeds up and speeds away.
“I’m Getting Better” is a nice turn of phrase that again talks of loss and moving on and time. This album feels thematically cohesive. This is the most accessible tune on the record in my opinion. It’s the kind of song that sounds like what radio stations should be playing. It’s well-crafted and catchy. It’ll be the song you’re humming as you walk around the house. It’s fitting that this song is the lead single for the record.
“Another Day In Our 20s” is a track that closes out an album about moving on, moving out, moving away and growing up. There’s something cathartic about hearing someone describe something you have a hard time putting into words. As someone who on their 30th birthday had no children, wasn’t married, and didn’t own a house, there’s a pressure that’s hard to explain to some folks, watching the world around you become adults while you’re still playing guitar on your couch after waking up at noon, wondering if you’re living wrong. This song expresses that odd place in life well.
Kyle took the time to talk with us about what Crownover looks like moving forward and some of his influences for the record. The interview lets you know something that I think is important to understanding Kyle’s music. There’s a sincerity and levity that balance each other in a way that’s rare to find.
What were the influences coming into this record?
I love traditional country, and alt-county, but it also just isn't me. I grew up in a small town, but it was suburbs and wanting to hang out at the mall. I worked at the skating rink. I did a little fishing, but it wouldn't be real for me to sing about that stuff. It's also not what I grew up listening to. I grew up on Top 40's and in a church. I write songs that feel good to me. I don't like calling it pop county, but it has some pop and modern country influences. I don't fit into a genre.
Where and how did you record the record? Have you considered a solo acoustic record?
I recorded Zach Russell's record as a producer and used the same band for the EP. I love playing with a band, I don't get to do that a lot. I'm not a great engineer or mixer, but Robby Artress who did my record is great, and I like letting people who are great at what they do, do that. It's just better. Aksel Coe, who's played with Pam Tillis, he's an incredible drummer, I will use him for everything for as long as I can. Chaz Covington, my roommate and best friend played bass, he's played on everything I've ever done, and why I moved to Nashville. Matt Helkamp who plays with Ashley McBride came into play guitar. So many guitar parts didn't make it, but he's like a water hose, and he just plays and plays. He makes it hard to choose. Robby mixed it, I met him in college, ETSU had audio engineering as a program, and you had to get together and record for class projects, and that's how we started working together, and he's recorded everything I've ever done. When I met these people and started playing with them, we all grew together.
How does it feel to be the cohost of the #1 podcast show?
It's incredible, I never thought I'd be a co-host of the number one podcast show, it's in the title so it has to be true.
You've gotten some attention and coverage for your parody work, but your work with Crownover is emotional and grounded. How do you think that represents you as a person?
We're all complicated people, it's another side of the coin. If you meet me and hang out with me, I love silliness and laughing and fun. Also I'm an open book, I love being honest talking about my feelings and what I'm going through. I think I had to deal with a lot of shame being in the church world, and losing it. Losing a community. I'm not ashamed of the things I think or believe or have happened to me, I had to let that go and I'm going to be honest. I'm going to be wrong at times, and I'm okay with that now. In general I was scared of what people think of me and I had to let it go, I am who I am. I'm just going to lean into those things, the silliness and the heaviness, and the good.
With the release of this EP are you planning on a full length release?
I want to, we recorded mine and Zach's record with the same band in two days. If I put a full length out now, I can't tour it, I can't do anything. I don't want to invest in that until it makes more sense. I would love to, but it'll happen when the time is right. I love working with the people who recorded the record, I enjoy the band thing.
What are your goals with Crownover?
It's changed over time, I moved to Nashville to be a songwriter and get a publishing deal. Doing that for a few years and nothing happening, LA and Nashville are the only towns you can die from encouragement. But you get discouraged, when and how is it going happen for me? Over the years I fell out of love with the music business. In my Early 20's leaving the church I didn't know who I was, the idea of being an artist, I didn't know what I wanted to say. Took a few years, then I thought "I should put out my own songs, why am I waiting for other people?" It may still happen, but I'm not looking for a publishing deal. I would love to tour and put more out, but I love what I do with Tyler and his band. I'm just creating what I love with who I love and finding an audience for that.
Another Day In Our 20s comes out on March 12th and will be available where you get music. I can say with certainty, if you don’t take the time to listen to this EP, you are missing out. If you want to get to know the funnier side of Kyle, go check out his social media. If you’re looking for a new podcast that’ll make you laugh, go listen to Keekers and Ferg co-hosted by the incomparable Seth Ferguson.
Find out more about Crownover here:
