BIO: 

Carriers is an American indie-rock project helmed by Cincinnati, Ohio’s singer-songwriter and musician, Curt Kiser. Since 2014, Carriers’ music can be described as honest, warm, and full of heart, like a late-night chat with a close friend. Curt Kiser’s songs blend the storytelling soul of Tom Petty with the dreamy vibes of Amen Dunes, creating a sound that’s both familiar and fresh. 

Their latest album, Every Time I Feel Afraid, released on Brassland, invites listeners into moments of hope, struggle, and quiet resilience.  Kiser’s joined by talented collaborators —Bryan Devendorf (The National), Dave Hartley (The War on Drugs), Ben Lanz (Beirut), Dave Nelson (David Byrne, St. Vincent, Mumford & Sons) and Peter Katis (Interpol, Kurt Vile).

Songs like the title track “Every Time I Feel Afraid” were born from tough personal moments and carry a defiant hopefulness. “Sometimes” captures the determination of youthful days, while “Blurry Eyes” reflects on doubt and hope during the pandemic. “Motion” delivers a steady motorik groove, and “Mixed Emotions” offers a raw reflection on life’s complexities. “In My Head” adds an intimate, introspective layer to the album’s emotional journey. A cover of Sharon Van Etten’s “Every Time the Sun Comes Up” nods to key influences, while “Share Some Wine” and “Be The One” close the album with warmth and resolve.

The buzz around Carriers’ Every Time I Feel Afraid is electric, with critics and tastemakers piling on the praise for Kiser’s soulful vision. Consequence hailed the album’s delicate songwriting that “keeps you coming back for more.” New Commute says “A raw and relatable kind of open -road Americana,” Stereogum calls it “dreamy, Dylan-esque,” Bandcamp crowned it New & Notable,  and PopMatters lauded Kiser’s “newfound confidence.” 

Almost every song from the recent, sophomore album has seen tastemaker radio play and top DSP playlisting, from WXPN’s World Cafe, KCRW’s Morning Becomes Eclectic, and Seattle’s KEXP—where music director Chris Sanley calls the album “a true triumph” to Spotify’s Fresh Finds and Apple Music’s signature Morning Coffee.

Carriers have shared stages with heavyweights like Big Thief, Damien Jurado, Band of Horses, Fruit Bats, and Heartless Bastards, with Phosphorescent dates on the horizon and more to come. Kiser’s 2024 performance for 60,000 at a Cincinnati Bengals game cemented his hometown hero status, while his sound resonates far beyond the city limits and City Beat cover stories.

With props from peers like Sharon Van Etten, The National, Caamp, and The War on Drugs, Carriers are carving out a space all their own. Shake It! Records is set to press Every Time I Feel Afraid on vinyl alongside a reissue of their 2019 debut, Now Is the Time for Loving Me, Yourself & Everyone Else. 

As Kiser puts it, “This album’s for anyone who’s been knocked down but keeps dreaming.” It’s a record that hits hard and lingers long after the music has stopped.