Harmony happens in the center of extremes. Live instrumentation and multi-layered soundscapes come together in CHNNLL’s latest album, Miles Away. Chicago-based vocalist, multi-instrumentalist, and producer a.k.a. Chris Davidson tempers emotional subject matter with bold melodies, coating raw truths in hummable hooks.

After generating over 1 million cumulative streams and earning acclaim from the likes of Atwood Magazine, CHNNLL describes his 2025 album:

“Miles Away deals with the struggle of getting through tough times and coming out the other side a better version of yourself and really… to not those hard times destroy you. There are songs on the album about kicking an addiction, depression, Stockholm syndrome and watching a family member destroy themselves from mental health and addiction issues. All personal issues to me. The very last song is Miles Away, which I see as the peak of the mountain top where you say, ‘Damn… I did that. I went through it all – made it out the other side and I’m didn’t let it take me down.’”

Born in Manhattan and raised in Stamford, Connecticut, Chris initially excelled on drums. He studied jazz at The New School and, during college, explored guitar and piano for the first-time while also teaching himself how to write songs. He spent more than a decade working as a highly sought-after professional jazz drummer, but maintained a passion for writing and desire to record material of his own.

“All along, I wanted to have more of a voice in the music,” he notes. “So, my trajectory changed.”

He introduced CHNNLL with the self-titled, CHNNLL EP, during 2018; following up his debut with the 2021 full-length album, The Test, produced by Joey Waronker [Oasis, Beck, R.E.M.]. The Test also included the likes of Zac Rae [Death Cab For Cutie, Alanis Morissette, Stevie Nicks] on guitar, piano, and synthesizers and Gabe Noel [Kendrick Lamar, Harry Styles, Father John Misty] on bass and strings.

In between, he has shared stages with artists such as The Moth & The Flame, Wingtip, Red Leather and Beach Bunny, among others. All along building a palpable buzz with both fans and critics such as IMPOSE MAGAZINE and Atwood Magazine who raved, “CHNNLL is not most artists.”

Throughout 2025, Chris recorded what would become his latest album at Steve Albini’s studio with engineer Drew Brown [Radiohead, Atoms for Peace, Beck] and creative input from The Test friends Joey Waronker, Zac Rae and Gabe Noel.

Reflecting broadly on his own music and experience with the art, he said:

“When I listen to a record through the years, it’s a gift, I want more of it. I’d love for you to feel the same way about what I’m doing. If my music can help you navigate a problem or connect you to a specific time in your life, there would be nothing better.”