Charis

Pop / Jazz / Blues

Dayton, OH

New Album Tracks Posted - Free Download!

We've just posted all of the tracks (thank you VIRB!) from our upcoming release Weightless and have also set up the title track to be a FREE download to you all at a full 320kbps. Listen to all of them and let us know what you think!

Thanks SO much for your support of Charis. Enjoy the new songs, and we can't wait to hear from you!

"Weightless" - Live in Kansas City

About us

According to singer/songwriters Abi Cook and Crystal Yexley Charis expresses the simultaneous token and burden of grace. The apparent contradiction is a fitting anagram to cover the diversity of their efforts; a combination of jazz/blues rock meets contemporary gospel with the idyll, almost silhouetted personality of improvisation.

Their debut EP, released in August, 2006 is affirmatively contemplative. Tracks are anchored by the soulful vocals of Cook/Yexley whose piano-driven ballads are reminiscent of the late Portland rocker Elliott Smith: cool, dreamlike, and china plate thin. Layering between the two leads adds a wetness that does for their sound what an isolated rainfall does to the image of a city street at night, glossing and enhancing the core texture.

Often backed by a loose syndicate of studio musicians, the ensemble comes alive in a warm current of poly-rhythms and blue notes. Rhythm guitar is blunt and honest, while tube-driven lead is dated and whimsical. If the former tells a story, the latter selects the precise adjectives employed in its execution. The bass and drum section is fickle, yet frivolous chalk full of syncopations and organic meter sure to keep your foot tapping. Keys and gospel organs fill the space between with a binding warmth.

The result is both settling and challenging. The kind of sound thats delicately impressionable, like steam rings left on countertops by coffee cups. To find beauty, we must teach ourselves to look closer. ~J.M. Franz

Appearances - see all 4

Jul 12	Dayton, OH	Gregory's Piano Bar	7:00pm
Jul 17	Dayton, OH	Starbucks - Madriver	8:00pm
Aug 28	Erie, PA	Penn State Behrend	7:00pm
Sep 5	Eaton, OH	Taffy's	8:00pm

Stills - see all 13

In motion - see all 2

Our friends - see all 283

Journal - see all 133

Baby on Board Apr 28

Hi there everyone!
It's been a while since I've last chatted with all of you. I wanted to share a little bit about life with Charis and being a new mommy. I had Phoenix Yexley on December 27th - we just celebrated 4 months. I can't believe that it's flown by so fast. H...