The Choir Biography
Who is The Choir?
The Choir, originally known as The Youth Choir, is an atmospheric alternative rock band associated with the Christian music scene.
The group formed in Southern California's Calvary Chapel Christian punk and alternative music scene during the early 1980s, founded by Derri Daugherty and Steve Hindalong. Daugherty plays guitar and provides vocals, Hindalong plays drums and writes most of the band's lyrics, and Dan Michaels plays saxophone and the Lyricon, an electronic wind controller. The band relocated to Nashville, Tennessee, in the 1990s.
Although the lineup has changed over the years, Daugherty and Hindalong have remained core members. Past members include guitarist Marc Byrd and bassist Tim Chandler, who died in 2018. Michael Sauerbrey and Robin Spurs also played bass with the group at various times. Bill Batstone contributed to recordings and filled in on bass during occasional live dates.
Beyond their work with The Choir, the band members have participated in various musical projects. Hindalong was one of the producers of the four-album City on a Hill compilation series and co-wrote the song "God of Wonders" with Marc Byrd. Daugherty was one of the founding members of the Christian alternative supergroup The Lost Dogs, formed in 1991, with Hindalong joining the group in 2006. Tim Chandler played bass for Daniel Amos and The Swirling Eddies, while Marc Byrd collaborated with his wife, Christine Glass, in Glassbyrd and co-founded the post-rock duo Hammock.
The Choir's discography spans several decades. Early releases include "Voices in Shadows" (1985), released under the Youth Choir name, "Diamonds and Rain" (1986), "Chase the Kangaroo" (1988), and "Flap Your Wings" (2000). Later studio albums include "Shadow Weaver" (2014), "Bloodshot" (2018), and "Deep Cuts" (2021). The band's catalog also includes EPs such as "Peace, Love & Light" (2013), live albums such as "Live and on the Wing in Music City" (2014), compilations, and remastered reissues. The band has used crowdfunding platforms such as Kickstarter and PledgeMusic to support recording projects and reissues.
In November 2024, The Choir released "Translucent," a 10-track ambient instrumental album featuring effect-laden guitars, saxophone, and electronic rhythms. The album subsequently became available on streaming services in January 2025.
In 2026, the band released "Dragonfly," a 20-song double album that the group identifies as its 20th studio album, marking 40 years of making music together. The band also released "Benchwarmers," a 10-song album of original material. According to the band's official store, the group recorded more than 60 songs over the preceding six years, and some of the songs not selected for "Dragonfly" found a home on "Benchwarmers." The band's 2026 releases also include a deluxe remastered edition of "Flap Your Wings" with bonus tracks.
The Choir continues to perform live. In 2026, the band announced select tour dates with Steve Taylor & Some Band, 40 years after first touring with Taylor as Youth Choir in 1986.