Churchill’s feeling the love on airwaves

Not to mention that the band’s first single, “Change,” is starting to rise on the charts and getting more radio airplay.

“It’s been a phenomenal past year,” she explains during a recent interview. “We got signed to a record deal and it’s all taking off. Did I mention that we are opening up for Pink in Europe after this tour?”

Indeed, Kelly and crew are beginning to feel the love, but it didn’t come without hard work.

Singer/guitarist Tim Bruns and mandolin player Mike Morter were billed as a bluegrass duo and grew up performing together. In 2009, the pair added bassist Tyler Rima, drummer Joe Richmond and Kelly to the lineup and the band evolved into the alt-country/pop-rock hybrid that it is today.

The band is touring in support of its “Change EP,” which was released last year. The album was entirely self-produced and self-recorded by the Denver quintet.

Kelly says the band also has put the finishing touches on its debut album for A&M/Octone Records, which will be out in May.

“We are lucky to have the support of the label on this one,” she explains. “But we didn’t do this any differently. Half of the album is produced and recorded by us and the other half was produced by Brendan O’Brien.”

Kelly says O’Brien has worked on The Killers’, Brandon Boyd’s and The Fray’s albums.

“It was a great experience to be in the studio with someone who has all of the experience and success,” she says. “It was a change for us but it was a welcome one.”

Kelly says the band’s writing style changed a bit for the album.

	Phillip Phillips With Churchill WHEN: 7:30 tonight WHERE: NMSU Pan American Center, 1810 E. University, Las Cruces HOW MUCH: $18.50-$28.50 at www.ticketmaster.com or 800-745-3000

“Tim is the main songwriter and wrote the bulk of this album,” she explains. “One difference is that I got some co-writes on the upcoming album and I feel like the band is evolving into a great place.”

Churchill is the latest band to come out of Denver and find success. Last year, folk trio The Lumineers had a banner year and you can’t forget about pop rock staples The Fray and OneRepublic.

Kelly says she’s thrilled to finally see the spotlight on the Denver music scene.

“I don’t know the Lumineers but we do know guys in The Fray and OneRepublic and we’re a tight-knit community,” she says. “It’s thrilling to see these musicians have success because it puts a spotlight on the scene and we can be noticed more. Hopefully, we’ll find similar success with our music.”

As for the upcoming tour opening for Pink, Kelly says the band is excited to take its music into international territory.

“A year ago, we didn’t have a label and hardly any radio airplay,” she says. “It’s mind-boggling to see how far the entire band has come since then. The opportunities keep coming and we’ll take them.”