About this Event
Balancing folk songwriting, rock ‘n’ roll energy, raw instrumentation, and sonic wanderlust, the Seattle-based musicians of Richy Mitch & The Coal Miners—Mitch Cutts, Nic Haughn, and Jakob Ervin—draw inspiration from their enduring friendship. What began as a high school passion project in Colorado Springs has quietly transformed into billions of streams and packed crowds.
“We were always friends who hung out and joked around with each other, but music allowed us to connect emotionally and share an outlet,” says Mitch. “This is a safe place where we can all meet, bring ideas to one another, and create something out of nothing.”
Growing up in Colorado Springs, their friendship came before the band. During high school, Mitch and Nic collaborated on as many projects as possible. They joined random sports teams, launched YouTube channels, went hiking, made home movies, and eventually decided to record an album together. Their collective tastes spanned influences like Vampire Weekend, Fleet Foxes, Gregory Alan Isakov, Peach Pit, Bon Iver, DIIV, Rainbow Kitten Surprise, Cage The Elephant, and Portugal the Man. In 2017, they recorded their self-titled debut, RMCM, in a closet under a staircase at Nic’s house. Even while attending separate colleges—Nic at the Air Force Academy, Mitch studying engineering in Denver, and Jakob at schools in New York and England—they continued writing and recording during breaks.
“Music was going to be a way for us to stay in touch throughout college,” Mitch notes.
After moving their studio to Jakob’s house, the band released Solstice in 2018, followed by Subliming in 2019. By then, Nic, Mitch, and Jakob had relocated to Montana, balancing day jobs, music, and skiing. Unexpectedly, the 1-minute and 27-second intro to “Evergreen” went viral on TikTok. Outdoor enthusiasts embraced the track first, followed by major co-signs. The song's popularity carried over to streaming platforms, earning over half a billion Spotify streams and averaging more than 20 million monthly listeners. “Evergreen” also cracked the Billboard Hot 100, Hot Rock Songs Chart, and Hot Rock & Alternative Songs Chart.
“Evergreen” holds deep meaning for Mitch. “I wrote most of the first album after a 300-mile backpacking trip through Colorado at 16,” he recalls. “The song was initially about hiking—battling yourself to keep walking. Later, it came to symbolize stepping into music, making a record with friends, and taking a chance to release it into the world. There’s a lot of power in creating something together.”
Jakob adds, “I see it as a stepping stone to enter the industry, leave everything else behind, and work on this full-time.”
The success of “Evergreen” opened doors for the band. Tracks like “Lake Missoula” amassed 100 million Spotify streams, while “Wet Socks” and “Subliming” earned tens of millions. In 2023, they launched their first headline tour, performed at festivals like Lollapalooza, Under The Big Sky, and Hinterland, and collaborated with Mt. Joy and Caamp on new versions of “Lake Missoula” and “Evergreen.” They also released new songs like “Signal Sender,” “Careful,” “Northstar,” and “Sierra Vista.” Wrapping up 2024, the band embarks on their biggest tour yet, playing sold-out shows nationwide.
For Richy Mitch & The Coal Miners, friendship and music are inseparable.
“We’ve overcome a lot, and the band is proof of that,” Mitch reflects. “We started this as kids. Continuing through college, jobs, and relocations was a huge accomplishment. It’s mind-blowing that we’ve turned this into a career. For me, it’s about working together and writing honest, vulnerable music.”
With Briscoe to open.
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
The Alibi, South Fir Street, Telluride, CO, USA, United States
USD 38.80