Draft:Tex Crick

Tex Augustin Crick (born October 13, 1994) is an Australian singer-songwriter, composer and multi-instrumentalist. Crick has been known for his work as a backing musician for various international acts in a live setting, prominently on keyboard instruments.

In 2021, Tex Crick released his first solo album “Live In… New York City” on Mac DeMarco's Record label, Mac’s Record Label. Pitchfork have described Crick as a "decidedly old-fashioned crooner, whose playfully composed love songs radiate warmth and familiarity."

In 2023, a second album was released under Mac's Record Label, Sweet Dreamin'.

Early career
Between 2013-2020, Crick toured extensively as a permanent member of Kirin J. Callinan’s band. Touring internationally and occasionally, appearing on stage with acts such as, Weyes Blood, Connan Mockasin, Mac DeMarco, John Carroll Kirby, Neil Finn, Molly Lewis & more.

In 2019, Crick joined Creed McTaggart’s band ‘Wash’ in Hawaii to perform as Iggy Pop’s backing band for a private event at the Billabong house at Pipeline.

Between Cruel & Tender (2017)
In 2017, Crick digitally released a Mini-LP of mostly instrumental tracks titled ‘Between Cruel & Tender’. A physical two-track Flexi-disc was produced by US label Flexible Records, sister company of Terrible Records.

Live In… New York City (2021)
While Crick toured with Callinan and Mockasin in 2014, he was seen by Mac DeMarco in Brooklyn before they formed a friendship in Los Angeles. At the time, DeMarco was unaware of Crick's pursuits of a solo career.

Over the span of four weeks during the winter of 2018, Crick wrote and recorded a number of songs using an eight-track recorder, playing the majority of the instruments himself. Unsure of what to do with them, Crick sent them to DeMarco, who offered to mix the songs for Crick. These songs were then released as the album 'Live In... New York City' on Mac's Record Label on March 26th, 2021. Crick was the first artist to be signed onto Mac's Record Label. Contrary to its title, it is not a live recording.

The album artwork was shot by a private detective which Crick had follow him around Manhattan, NY, under the guise of a cheating spouse. The chase eventually lead to Central Park where Crick had organized to release a box of live frogs into the lake near the 72nd St. entrance. Crick claims the private detective failed to document the release of the frogs and many photographs were blurry or poorly composed. The cover image was taken on the corner by ‘Bow Bridge’ & ‘Turtle Rock’.

Sweet Dreamin' (2023)
Tex Crick's second studio album was released on October 13th, 2023. Sweet Dreamin' was largely recorded in Japan, although drums were recorded in Australia and the record was mastered in Los Angeles, United States. Like his previous album, Crick released this album on Mac's Record Label.

The album received a mixed review from Pitchfork, which stated "While the music does evoke a cozy home studio—you can practically feel the carpet under your feet—the more anonymous setting can make the album feel a little shapeless". In the same review, the album was praised for its instrumental flourishes and intimacy.

Collaborations
Tex Crick contributed piano on the recording of Sunday Painter’ by Traffik Island, from his 2019 album ‘Nature Strip’.

He is listed as playing 'the keyboard' on the liner notes of ’S.A.D’ by Kirin J. Callinan, from his 2017 album ‘Bravado’.

Reception
'Live In... New York City' received a rating of 7.3 via Pitchfork.

Having gained popularity in Japan, an exclusive CD version of 'Live In... New York City' was produced one year after its initial release for the Japanese audience only. The CD features an exclusive unreleased demo version of the single 'Sometimes I Forget.'

Noisy by Vice Magazine added 'Live In... New York City' to their list of "16 Essential Albums You May Have Missed in 2021." New Commute also featured the record in their "Albums of the year 2021" list.

A portion of the ‘Live In… New York City’ artwork appears on the official cover of the Rough Trade Counter Culture 2021 CD and vinyl compilation albums, however none of Crick’s music ever officially appeared on any track listing.