Chariots & Charioteers

Chariots & Charioteers write songs that make processing unusual emotions fun. The Denver-based quartet uses a quick-changing roster of mostly acoustic instruments for an earthy, quirky take on modern indie pop. Imagine if Regina Spektor and The Oh Hellos met in a Dave Matthews Band tribute band, and you've got something like it.

The band is built on collaboration and exploration. It's easy to hear the members' varied backgrounds, from musical theatre to professional film scoring to songwriter open mics. Instruments like melodica carry a surprising weight while left-field additions from toy piano to gopichand always end up in the mix. 

Despite this diversity of influences, listeners can hear a unified earnestness and eagerness at the core of their sound. Lyrically, you'll find common themes of persistent hope, sardonic commentary, and joy in the everyday. That's all set against layered, kinetic instrumentals that prioritize melody, defy simple chord strumming, and occasionally reveal the jazz and classical nerdom behind them.

In 2023, they released their debut EP, Apparently Spring, partly home-produced but largely mixed and mastered by Brian Hunter of Swallow Hill Music, plus contributions from Anna Frick of Ally Sound. A six-song collection, it includes a range of sounds from the anthemic “Thawing Out” and “Cartographer”, the quirky and jammy “End Times”, and the pensive, hopeful piano ballad “Oh, Man” - a gripping performance of which you can see in their 2023 NPR Tiny Desk Contest entry.

Moving into 2024, Chariots & Charioteers is looking forward to bringing their exhilarating and mesmerizing performances to a wider Colorado audience.