Colony House Biography
Who is Colony House?
Colony House is an American indie rock band from Franklin, Tennessee, known for a melodic, guitar-driven sound they self-describe as "landlocked surf rock." Formed in 2009, the band takes its name from an apartment complex in downtown Franklin that served as home to its members at various points in their lives.
The band is composed of brothers Caleb Chapman (lead vocals, guitar) and Will Chapman (drums), along with guitarist Scott Mills and bassist Parke Cottrell. Caleb and Will are the sons of multi-platinum contemporary Christian artist Steven Curtis Chapman. Raised in a faith-centered household within the Nashville music community, the brothers developed a foundation that has influenced the band’s perspective, with themes of hope and perseverance appearing throughout their catalog. For example, the song “Moving Forward” by Colony House was considered suitable for Christian music airplay due to its hopeful lyrical theme and message of perseverance. Influenced by acts such as U2 and Cold War Kids, Colony House focuses on anthemic arrangements and raw energy.
Originally performing under the name Caleb, the group transitioned to Colony House in 2013. Their debut album, When I Was Younger (2014), reached No. 3 on the Billboard Heatseekers chart. The lead single “Silhouettes” became a breakout hit on SiriusXM’s Alt Nation, holding the No. 1 position for four months and introducing the band to a national audience.
The band made its national television debut on September 29, 2014, on Late Night with Seth Meyers, performing “Silhouettes.” They returned to the program on January 11, 2017, performing “You & I” in support of their second studio album.
Released in 2017, Only the Lonely expanded the band’s sound while maintaining emotional intensity and lyrical focus. Songs such as “You Know It,” “You & I,” and the title track became live performance favorites.
Following 2020’s Leave What’s Lost Behind and the 2021 EP Rotten Tomatoes, Colony House continued expanding its alternative radio presence with 2023’s The Cannonballers. In late 2025 and early 2026, the band released the two-part project 77, a reflective collection exploring nostalgia, growth, and the experience of moving forward.
Today, Colony House is recognized for dynamic live performances and a commitment to authenticity, maintaining its Franklin, Tennessee roots while touring internationally.