churchill

band

In less than two years of existence as a band, Churchill has turned more heads and attracted more attention than many bands that have been working the scene for years. Not only have they built a solid fan base with their distinct acoustic indie-rock vibe, but they have found themselves on the radar of numerous media and radio outlets, not only in their hometown of Denver, but in other places as well. They've been named as a band to watch numerous times by Metromix and Examiner.com, and Westword Magazine listed Churchill as one of its "Moovers and Shakers" in 2009. After selling more than 1000 copies of their debut self-titled EP, the band is now poised to reach an even larger audience with their first full-length project Happy/Sad.

Churchill began with two friends, acoustic guitarist and singer/songwriter Tim Bruns and mandolin player Mike Morter, who decided join forces and start a new band in Denver. While the two musicians came from a country-bluegrass background, the addition of the bass/drum powerhouse of Tyler Rima and Joe Richmond brought more of a rock vibe into the mix. Rounding out the lineup was keyboardist/vocalist Bethany Kelly, who comes from a classical background. The process took only a few weeks, and the chemistry was apparent, resulting in a dynamic fusion of styles into a sound that is uniquely and unmistakably Churchill.

The momentum hasn't stopped since. Since forming in May 2009, Churchill has seen many doors open for them, including placing in the Top 3 in Denver's Hometown for the Holidays contest, receiving a coveted slot in SXSW, garnering kudos and airplay from local radio, and having several of their songs licensed for film and television. And they're just getting started.

The much-anticipated new record Happy/Sad, largely funded by existing Churchill fans through a Kickstarter campaign, saw over 100 pre-sales prior to its release in February 2011. The eleven-song collection explores the gamut of human emotions, mainly in the context of relationships. Bruns, the band's primary songwriter, weaves honest and insightful lyrics with catchy melodies that stay with the listener long after the record stops playing, creating a perfect vehicle for Churchill's sound to take things to the next level.

"Who is THAT?" is a common reaction among concert-goers who hear Churchill play live for the first time. Frontman Tim Bruns usually answers that question by introducing the band onstage in his characteristic understated style: "We're a band called Churchill."

A band called Churchill. A band that continues to turn heads with their distinct sound. A band destined to turn a lot more heads in the days to come.