Box Elder began as a lifeline during isolation. When Covid lockdowns hit, Salt Lake City musician Chris Archuleta turned to his bedroom studio, transforming restless energy and overwhelming feelings into something he could hold onto. What started as a solo project, a way to get ideas and emotions off paper and into something digestible, has evolved into a full-band force.
The 2021 EP "These Distractions Are Constant" introduced Box Elder's raw, confessional approach to indie rock. But the self-titled debut LP, arriving April 3, 2026, marks the project's true arrival. For the first time, Box Elder is a full collaborative effort, with each band member contributing to the sound and vision. The result is an album that maintains Archuleta's emotional core while expanding the sonic palette in exciting new directions.
These songs don't shy away from difficult territory. The album directly confronts mental health struggles, charting the highs and lows of anxiety, the weight of lost love, and the persistent fear of never quite finding where you belong. Four years of experiences are distilled into urgent, melodic anthems that balance vulnerability with resilience. Drawing influence from The Get Up Kids, Jimmy Eat World, The Menzingers, The Wonder Years, and Silversun Pickups, Box Elder crafts guitar-driven songs that hit with both emotional and sonic impact.
Archuleta took on production duties himself for the LP, his first major self-recording undertaking. The learning curve was steep, but the result speaks for itself, an album that captures raw intimacy without sacrificing clarity or power. The striking cover artwork by Stella Vickland-Davis features mannequin pieces controlled by box elder bugs, a visual metaphor the band had always envisioned: the small, unseen forces that guide us through uncertain times.
Box Elder has built their reputation through relentless touring and memorable performances. Highlights include appearances at Treefort Music Festival 2023 and Denver Underground Music Showcase 2025, multiple west coast tours, and support slots with Agent Orange and Black Lips. In May/June 2026, they'll embark on their first east coast tour with MK Naomi, bringing these songs to new audiences.
After fifteen years of making music, this LP represents Archuleta's most complete artistic statement. It's proof that Box Elder has found their voice, and their place.
