Medium Build with special guests Luke Borchelt and Josh Gilligan
Medium Build
Medium Build, the queer singer-songwriter born Nick Carpenter, has a generous and inviting spirit that manifests in his songwriting. Medium Build built a cult following in Anchorage, Alaska, where he became a local celebrity and hometown hero, before making the recent move from to Nashville, moving closer to his southern roots and dedicating himself to his musical career. He developed a cult-like, passionate fan base both in Alaska and outside its borders, as he inspires listeners to dig deep and discover themselves alongside his own emotional journey. Medium Build has toured with pop headliners, but beneath it, there’s an old country soul, who treasures the simple things in life and keeps his family close to his heart. Songs like “Crying Over U,” embrace vulnerability with Nick’s intricate lyricism and gravelly yet soft voice at the helm while while “Never Learned to Dance” is pure cosmic Americana, complete with lush acoustic guitar and twangy steel, but it’s distinctly contemporary too, a modern tale of digital love and missed connections. More than just the sound alone, what Medium Build takes most from country music is a sense of yearning and restlessness, always in search of another experience and another sound in whatever form they may come. In another era, Medium Build might have just as easily been a rhinestone cowboy lonesome out on the range, a blue-eyed crooner on a smooth-sailing yacht, or a leather-clad video star, but in the here and now, he’s no one but himself.
Medium Build’s vision is to take the sense of community his music creates far beyond wherever he calls home. Last year was busy for Medium Build, opening shows for Lewis Capaldi, Matt Maeson, and FINNEAS, while selling out his headlining tour across N. America and playing shows in Europe on the heels of his Health EP. 2024 proves to be no different, with a EU / UK tour supporting Holly Humberstone, California dates with Tyler Childers, his biggest US headline tour to date, and a handful of major festivals punctuated by Bonnaroo. All this touring will support a slew of new music following last year's "In My Room", which has already won the hearts of peers, and been championed by BBC1, Alt Nation, and Zane Lowe.
Luke Borchelt
Rising country act Luke Borchelt has been making music for over a decade. Initially releasing tracks on SoundCloud and performing regionally in Maryland, Indiana, and New York, Borchelt has always had a passion for storytelling through music. After 7 years of performing in another project, Borchelt taught himself to play guitar and began releasing music under his own name. This shift marked a new chapter in his musical journey, allowing him to write more personal and impactful songs. His dedication and talent soon led to significant milestones, including opening for Shaboozey on his latest tour, signing a record deal with Droptine Recordings and Grey Area Records, and being officially signed to Sony Music Publishing. Growing up in a musically diverse environment, Luke draws inspiration from a range of artists and genres, including Lynyrd Skynyrd, Frank Ocean, Ye, Atmosphere, and Tyler Childers. His music is a testament to his roots in Maryland and reflects a blend of influences from country, and DMV hip-hop, resulting in his unique sound. Luke describes his music as a journal, a way to process and compartmentalize life events. With a focus on storytelling, his songs often explore themes of relationships and personal experiences, particularly those rooted in his Maryland upbringing. His songwriting process typically begins with a compelling image and follows the principles of "show, don't tell" and "good writing costs you something." Luke has pursued his passion for music relentlessly, balancing seven years of making music for fun with three years of hard work and dedication to make music his career. His journey reflects his commitment to his craft and his belief in the power of vulnerability and authenticity in music. Outside of music, Luke is passionate about disaster relief and works with Mercy Chefs, an international disaster relief nonprofit based in Portsmouth, VA.
