Ax and the Hatchetmen

The bright, sprightly indie rock of Ax and the Hatchetmen is bolstered by catchy songwriting and a small horn section. Formed in 2018 around lead vocalist and singer Axel Ellis, the Chicago-based group features several musicians with a jazz background but has its sound firmly rooted in a lively rock mode. The band's first singles, "Silhouette" and "Peach Trees," appeared in 2019, soon followed by the EP Bear on the Roof (2020). Further singles like "Beezlebub," "Grace," and "Existential Crisis, Pt. 1" drew more attention to the group. The concert EP Ax and the Hatchetmen on Audiotree Live followed in 2023. The band's debut album, So Much to Tell You, finally arrived in 2025, and was extended with a Deluxe Edition the following year.