So how has your latest album/EP gone so far with fans then?
This latest album ‘7th Heaven’ continues where our last release ‘Got Your Six’ left off: songs of hope and inspiration featuring our signature guitar sounds, synth melodies, straight ahead drumming with just a few chanting monks thrown in for good measure. What makes us stand out with our followers; we don’t “chase” current trends in mainstream music but stay true to our progressive arena rock beginnings. The songs are new and fresh but the sound remains classic Crystal, which our fans appreciate.
Tell us something about the release no one knows?
Those amazing background singers on the track ‘Let The Day Begin’… software.
The real singers were already booked.
If you could work with any band on a new song, who would it be and why?
Everyone in the band is extremely impressed with the works, writings and production methods of Neal Morse (Spock’s Beard, Transatlantic, Flying Colors, more). A collaboration with this super star for us would be…well you know – sweet indeed!
How has your latest release been received?
Got a nice message from Spotify that within it’s first week (it dropped officially everywhere on Valentine’s Day, 2022) the album gained 787 streams, which for us was very exciting. Then just yesterday we got the news that in the month of February, we had 6,281 listeners which was an increase of1,425%!! That for us made our year so far.
Can you tell us about the meaning behind these tracks?
We hope that the music, message and words we sing will make a difference in the lives of everyone who hears them. Our music is about us, but it’s also about you. We hope someone who hears our music – or attends a Sweet Crystal show – to come away feeling better about themselves, knowing that whatever they are dealing with, chances are we’ve dealt with it as well.
What tours do you have coming up, and what can you tell us about them?
Not so much tours as festivals and benefit events – we are long-time supporters of the Wounded Warrior Project and homeless shelters for veterans here in Michigan. Fans can sign up to our email lists over at the main website or our Reverbnation page to stay current with all things Crystal.
What venue are you most looking forward to playing the most, and why?
We look forward to getting back to our favorite Detroit clubs, the Token Lounge and Harpo’s Concert Theater. After that? We think a road trip to Nashville and hitting that market would be a great way to spread our music, message, mission and ministry.
What else can we expect from in 2022?
New songs already being recorded for our next release ‘8’ this time around featuring more lead vocals from (guitarist) Bill. Booking shows and benefit concerts to play out live again as we all get back to normal. Currently nominated for more Detroit Music Awards on top of the twenty-four we’ve already won, so we think it’s time to aim for some Dove and Grammy Awards.
Basically we plan to remain exactly who we are for as long as can.
Please provide a short bio
I’m Marq Andrew Speck, lead vocalist and keyboard player for 24-time Detroit Music Award winning band SWEET CRYSTAL (www.sweetcrystal.com). Along with founding members guitarist Bill Blatter and drummer Steve Wieser and now joined by newest member and bass player Martin Kuchar, we have been at the forefront of the Christian rock scene here in Michigan even before this genre had its own radio and broadcast outlets.
Our trademarked slogan ‘Reaching The World, One Song At A Time’ ™ pretty much says it all about our music, message, mission and ministry. We are here to reach out to a world with songs of hope and inspiration; a musical light at the end of every dark tunnel you might be going through because chances are good – we’ve gone through those very same tunnels ourselves and definitely have found a way out.
WEBSITE: www.sweetcrystal.com
FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/SweetCrystalBand
YOUTUBE: www.youtube.com/c/SweetCrystal
REVERBNATION: www.reverbnation.com/sweetcrystal
SPOTIFY: http://tinyurl.com/y76vcpqg
TWITTER: www.twitter.com/sweet_crystal
BANDCAMP: https://sweetcrystal.bandcamp.com
SOUNDCLOUD: https://soundcloud.com/sweet_crystal