Interview: Chapel's Resurgence with Development, Determination, and Independent Creativity in Their Victorious ‘Modern Nature’ EP - Atwood Magazine

      Carter Hardin and Kortney Grinwis, the indie pop duo Chapel from Nashville, celebrate themes of maturity, freedom, and friendship in their vibrant and emotionally honest new EP, ‘Modern Nature.’ This powerful project highlights growth, self-reinvention, and the unbreakable friendship between two best friends.

      Stream: “Big Baby” – Chapel

      Since the beginning of time, there have been best friends—those individuals who support you during tough times, laugh at your corny jokes, and help you feel understood. A best friend is someone reliable, and when you create music together, it opens up an entire new world. Bands like Chapel illustrate that collaborating with your best friend can lead to unparalleled creativity. Since 2016, Carter Hardin and Kortney Grinwis have been making music together as Chapel, utilizing synthesizers and their friendship to produce a sound that's distinctly their own. Their music ranges from high-energy and upbeat to slow and subdued, showcasing their ability to consistently deliver the best.

      They released their debut EP, Sunday Brunch, in late 2017, which was a burst of pop brilliance infused with the vibrancy of that summer. Following this, they signed with Rise Records and took significant steps towards major success, releasing their second EP, Room Service, in 2021—sister to Sunday Brunch, yet more controlled and discerning about its pop identity.

      Now, after a nearly four-year hiatus, the duo returns with a fresh DIY mindset and a more mature pop sound. Their latest singles “Why Do U Hate Me” and “Big Baby” capture the essence of Chapel—fun and energetic but rooted in reality. With their third EP, Modern Nature, released on July 17th, the two discussed their new journey with Atwood Magazine.

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      :: Stream/Purchase Modern Nature here ::

      :: Connect with Chapel here ::

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      A CONVERSATION WITH CHAPEL

      Atwood Magazine: To kick off, I want to express how much this means to me. My best friend and I discovered your band in 2017. We attended a Pierce the Veil show, saw you perform, and recognized immediately, “This is it, this is THE band.” As best friends, do you have a band that resonates with your friendship in a similar way?

      Kortney Grinwis: Great question! One band that comes to mind is Cherub. When Carter and I first became friends, Cherub really connected us musically. We were so excited about them that we thought, “Dude, we should start a band; that sounds fun!” I think that was a pivotal band for me. What about you, Carter?

      Carter Hardin: Absolutely. Cherub was our main focus when we started, and we bonded over their energy. Now, our musical inspirations span a lot, but I think Cherub was that initial pillar for us.

      Did they influence your sound in any way?

      Carter Hardin: Definitely. They’re a two-piece band, just like us, and seeing them create great music on a laptop was inspiring. Their live shows were entertaining, which encouraged us. It made me realize that even as a duo, we could deliver a compelling performance.

      Kortney Grinwis: They showed us that we didn’t have to take ourselves too seriously and that we could break the rules however we wanted.

      When touring with artists like Pierce the Veil and Sleeping with Sirens, how do you engage with their fan base while performing?

      Carter Hardin: That’s a great question. We often reminisced about the challenges of those shows. It was difficult trying to fit into a scene that didn't always feel right for us. There were moments where we doubted whether the audience would connect with us, so we approached each night with a mindset of just having fun.

      Do you have a dream artist you would like to tour with that aligns with Chapel's sound?

      Kortney Grinwis: My biggest dream is to tour with Group Love. If that happens, I’d be beyond happy.

      Carter Hardin: Group Love would be amazing! I’d also be thrilled to tour with Phoenix or Two Door Cinema Club. Recently, Bloc Party and Passion Pit have impacted our sound significantly; they remind me of my transition from high school. Touring with any of those bands would be incredible.

      Carter, you seemed a bit surprised when I mentioned discovering you at the Pierce the Veil show. Were you apprehensive about that experience?

      Carter Hardin: We were a nascent band back then, grappling with how to behave in such a big moment for us. It was our second tour, so we were still figuring things out. We’ve definitely evolved since then, both as performers and as individuals. Reflecting on those times can be a little shocking, but in a good way.

      Kortney Grinwis: Yeah, we were still figuring things out.

      I listened to your song