Singer-songwriter David Crowder’s latest single, “Let it Rain,” is climbing the Christian music charts on the strength of its infectious piano pop, a guest spot from American Idol’s Mandisa, and lyrics that go deeper than your average summer anthem.
“It’s kind of a happy summertime song,” Crowder said, “roll the windows down and turn it up, it might be raining outdoors, but that’s fine, let it hit your face…It sounds super upbeat, like I said, summertime, but it’s one of those things where the lyric is pretty heavy. Stuff gets tough sometimes, but there’s this acknowledgement that it might be that you’ve been put on this journey, and the tough stuff you’re going through right now, it’s got intention behind it.
In the old testament, God leads his people out of Egypt, but into the wilderness. It’s like, ‘Oh man, we’ve got promised land coming, but right now, we’re in the wilderness. There’s something on the other side of it, but we’ve got to get through this right now. It’s just a great reminder to know, same god who brought the sunshine brings the rain.”
Crowder will make his own trip into the wilderness next weekend, heading into the woods of New Ipswich to headline the Hillfest music festival, along with returning favorites Citizen Way, Riley Clemmons, Caleb + Kelsey, Collington, Hannah Dawber and Ava Calhoun.
Crowder’s no stranger to New Hampshire; the Atlanta-by-way-of-Texas native has played his share of shows in the Granite State, most recently opening for Franklin Graham’s Decision America Tour in Manchester this May. Crowder said he’s looking forward to returning to New Hampshire and experiencing the growing phenomenon that is Hillfest.
“I’m a fan of the countryside, and the people have been amazing,” Crowder said. “This whole little situation they’ve got going there lends itself to some group singing. We’re trying to do that porch music thing where you get some foot stomping, hand clapping, and once everybody gets to singing, that’s when it gets good.”
Hillfest takes place in Lord’s Valley, 105 Locke Road, New Ipswich on Saturday, July 13, doors at 3 p.m.
Adult tickets start at $45 and are available at www.hillfestevents.com.