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Ax and the Hatchetmen
Artist

Ax and the Hatchetmen

Genre: Alt / Indie, Indie Rock, Jazz-Pop, Left-Field Pop, Surf Revival
Origin: U.S.A
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Biography

The lively indie rock crafted by Ax and the Hatchetmen gains momentum from its memorable melodies and compact horn lineup. Launched in 2018 by lead singer Axel Ellis, the Chicago outfit draws several members from jazz circles while anchoring itself in upbeat rock territory. Their opening tracks “Silhouette” and “Peach Trees” surfaced in 2019, ahead of the Bear on the Roof EP in 2020. Later releases such as “Beezlebub,” “Grace,” and “Existential Crisis, Pt. 1” expanded their reach, followed by the live concert recording Ax and the Hatchetmen on Audiotree Live in 2023. Throughout 2024 the group issued “Goofy (Acoustic),” “Where tf Did I Park My Car,” and “Flagstaff” as they finished work on a debut album.

Ellis began assembling the project that year as a music student at Columbia University in Chicago, reaching out to guitarist Sal Defilippis after viewing his fingerstyle acoustic video online. Vocalist and guitarist Kenny Olzewski, bassist Hunter Olshefke, drummer Nick Deputy, trumpeter Phil Pistone, and saxophonist Quinn Dolan soon completed the seven-piece roster, allowing the players’ conservatory jazz experience to shape precise yet hook-driven charts. “Silhouette” appeared first in 2019 and gave way to the widely circulated “Peach Trees,” after which the five-track Bear on the Roof arrived in July 2020. Stronger follow-ups including “Mako,” “Existential Crisis, Pt. 1,” “Beezlebub,” and “Utah” arrived in 2021 and 2022 together with two headlining tours. The seven-track Ax and the Hatchetmen on Audiotree Live EP came out in 2023. While maintaining an active concert schedule and readying a full album, they continued dropping singles in 2024, among them “Goofy (Acoustic)” and “Flagstaff” plus a live take of “Where tf Did I Park My Car” that had already featured on the previous year’s recording.

Top Songs

  1. Hotel RoomHotel RoomHotel Room · 2025Hotel Room2:29
  2. So Much To Tell YouBlurry LightsSo Much To Tell You · 2026So Much To Tell You3:05
  3. Peach TreesPeach TreesPeach Trees · 2019Peach Trees1:51
  4. Bear on the RoofGoofyBear on the Roof · 2020Bear on the Roof3:08
  5. GraceGraceGrace · 2022Grace2:30
  6. Bear on the RoofSilhouetteBear on the Roof · 2020Bear on the Roof4:06
  7. Bear on the RoofSleeping In My JeansBear on the Roof · 2020Bear on the Roof4:04
  8. Existential Crisis, Pt. 1Existential Crisis, Pt. 1EExistential Crisis, Pt. 1 · 2022Existential Crisis, Pt. 14:16
  9. So Much To Tell YouLove SongsESo Much To Tell You · 2026So Much To Tell You3:12
  10. So Much To Tell YouSunscreenESo Much To Tell You · 2026So Much To Tell You2:54
  11. So Much To Tell YouNew YearsESo Much To Tell You · 2026So Much To Tell You3:06
  12. Love SongsWhere tf Did I Park My CarELove Songs · 2024Love Songs2:48
  13. Where tf Did I Park My CarWhere tf Did I Park My Car (Extended Version)EWhere tf Did I Park My Car · 2024Where tf Did I Park My Car3:21
  14. Stick & PokeFunny ValentineEStick & Poke · 2026Stick & Poke3:54
  15. So Much To Tell You7x9So Much To Tell You · 2026So Much To Tell You2:19
  16. So Much To Tell YouLucySo Much To Tell You · 2026So Much To Tell You2:21
  17. So Much To Tell YouRed Carpet So Much To Tell You · 2026So Much To Tell You1:36
  18. So Much To Tell YouFlagstaffSo Much To Tell You · 2026So Much To Tell You2:47
  19. CheesecakeCheesecakeCheesecake · 2026Cheesecake3:29
  20. Everybody TalksEverybody TalksEverybody Talks · 2026Everybody Talks2:55

Albums

So Much To Tell You

So Much To Tell You

E2026
So Much To Tell You (Deluxe)
Ax and the Hatchetmen · Album · 2026
Play
  1. Red Carpet Ax and the Hatchetmen1:36
  2. FlagstaffAx and the Hatchetmen2:47
  3. Love SongsEAx and the Hatchetmen3:12
  4. 7x9Ax and the Hatchetmen2:19
  5. LucyAx and the Hatchetmen2:21
  6. OasisAx and the Hatchetmen3:10
  7. Blurry LightsAx and the Hatchetmen with Albert Hammond Jr3:05
  8. Hotel RoomAx and the Hatchetmen2:29
  9. Model CitizenAx and the Hatchetmen4:21
  10. SunscreenEAx and the Hatchetmen2:54
  11. Stay // HonestlyAx and the Hatchetmen3:11
  12. New YearsEAx and the Hatchetmen3:06
  13. French PressAx and the Hatchetmen2:47
  14. Belt LoopsAx and the Hatchetmen3:00
  15. CheesecakeAx and the Hatchetmen3:29

Singles & EPs