Galen Crew

Galen Michael Crew (born July 11, 1990) is an American singer-songwriter, musician, and music producer. In 2015, Crew's songs went viral in China, and has since reached hundreds of millions of streams on Chinese music platforms such as NetEase and Xiami.[1][2] In response to the new following in China, Crew has toured the country multiple times, beginning in 2016.[3][4] His music video for the single "Fragrance" was filmed in Shanghai, China and contains footage from other cities while on tour.[5] The single "Princess" from his solo album Better than a Fairy Tale has been featured on the ABC show Good Morning America.[6] In 2020, Crew made a guest appearance in the music video for the Newsboys single "Love One Another."[7][8] Crew's eighth studio EP, Tunnels, was released March 30, 2021.

Galen Crew
Background information
Born (1990-07-11) July 11, 1990
Genres
  • Pop
  • Folk
  • Singer-Songwriter
Occupation(s)
  • Artist
  • music producer
  • singer-songwriter
Instruments
  • Acoustic guitar
  • electric guitar
  • ukulele
  • piano
  • bass guitar
Years active2009–present
Associated acts
  • Roger Cook
  • Kelsea Ballerini
  • Phil Joel
Websitewww.galencrew.com

Early life

Crew's high school band was Seraph, which was composed of Crew on electric guitar, Josh Caste as lead vocals, Nicky Hackett on bass, and Jordan Thompson on drums.[9] He was also part of the rock-pop group Vinyl Relay while attending college.[10] Crew became a solo artist in 2011 and began writing songs with Roger Cook in the same year.

Touring

In 2013, Crew toured with Roger Cook in the United Kingdom.[11] In 2014, Crew toured with Phil Joel across the United States.[12][13] As of 2021, Crew's total streaming song listens have reached the hundreds of millions on Chinese sites, such as NetEase Cloud Music.[1][14][15]

Crew was sponsored by the Chinese company XiaoKang and toured the China for the first time in May 2016.[3][4] Crew has toured in Shanghai,[16] Guangzhou, Beijing, and Hong Kong. Crew returned to China for a second tour in the fall of 2016, touring in 13 cities, including Zibo.[17][18] In 2019, Crew completed a third tour of China in November and December, hosting concerts in seven cities, including Guangzhou, Hangzhou, Chongqing, and Chengdu.[19][20]

Galen Crew greeting fans onstage in Beijing, China, 2019

Music & Influences

Crew's style is described as "a blend of pop and alternative with some electronic and folky elements."[20] Crew's musical influences include "the Beatles, Coldplay and John Mayer," and songwriting inspiration has been taken from mythical works and well-known fantasy authors such as J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, and Hermann Hesse.[20] As a tribute to his success in China, Crew prominently featured the erhu, a traditional Chinese stringed instrument, in the single "Fragrance."[19][20] The music video for the single also contains shots of Shanghai, Chinese scenery, and everyday life in China.[21]

Discography

Crew has released eight EPs and three LPs:

  • Better Than a Fairy Tale (2012)
  • Acoustic Daydreams (2012)
  • Like Fire EP (2013)
  • Christmas Spirit EP (2013)
  • Let Them Sing (2014)
  • Sleepyhead EP (2016)
  • Apologue, Vol. 1 EP (2018)
  • Apologue, Vol. 2 EP (2018)
  • Apologue, Vol. 3 EP (2018)
  • Apologue, Vol. 4 EP (2019)
  • Tunnels, EP (2021)

References
  1. "Sleepyhead". v.youku.com. Retrieved July 17, 2016.
  2. "口碑响至全球 网易云音乐迎来欧美大牌艺人批量入驻". yue.ifeng.com. Retrieved April 10, 2017.
  3. "Galen Crew 2016 China Tour in Shanghai". en.damai.cn. Retrieved July 17, 2016.
  4. "盖伦 Galen Crew". galen.xiaokang.com. Retrieved July 17, 2016.
  5. "Top 5 New Indie Pop Week 11". Wolf in a Suit. March 20, 2017. Retrieved April 10, 2017.
  6. "Princess Annie's greatest wishes come true at Make-A-Wish Grand Royal Ball". Retrieved July 17, 2016.
  7. Kohl, Emily (March 23, 2020). "NEWSBOYS DELIVER HOPE AND HUMOR WITH 'LOVE ONE ANOTHER' MUSIC VIDEO". Turning Point Media Relations. Retrieved March 30, 2021.
  8. Newsboys - Love One Another (Official Music Video), retrieved March 30, 2021
  9. "Seraph (TN)". PureVolume. Retrieved July 17, 2016.
  10. "Good times and good tunes at fair's Battle of the Bands". Retrieved July 17, 2016.
  11. "Review: Roger Cook at St George's – Bristol-born legend we should be very proud of by Keith Clark 8/10". The Bristol Post. April 12, 2013. Retrieved July 27, 2016.
  12. "Phil Joel & Galen Crew – SLC". SOS Radio. November 14, 2011. Retrieved July 17, 2016.
  13. "Galen Crew – Phil Joel". Eventful. Retrieved July 17, 2016.
  14. "Acoustic Daydreams – Galen Crew". kuwo.cn. Retrieved July 27, 2016.
  15. Music, NetEase Cloud. "NetEase Cloud Music Continues to See Growth for International Artists on its Platform". PR Newswire. Retrieved November 1, 2018.
  16. "Top Things To Do This Week in Shanghai". cityweekend.com.cn. Retrieved July 17, 2016.
  17. "Galen Crew". Retrieved July 17, 2016 – via Twitter.
  18. "Galen Crew – CRAZY TOUR STORIES | Digital Tour Bus". digitaltourbus.com. Retrieved April 10, 2017.
  19. 周冰. "Foreign musicians make overtures to China". enapp.chinadaily.com.cn. Retrieved March 30, 2021.
  20. "Fragrant fame for Captain from the Crew". SHINE. Retrieved March 30, 2021.
  21. Galen Crew - Fragrance (Official Music Video), retrieved March 30, 2021
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