How Cherokee Social Became Denver’s Indigenous Indie-Pop Stars

Cherokee Social didn’t just become Denver’s preeminent Indigenous indie act overnight.

Though it seems that the recent success of duo Julian Navarro and Alex Creighton sprang up suddenly, the two have been putting in the work since forming in 2023.

“We’ve been literally just fucking grinding the entire time the last two years,” says guitarist Creighton.

There have been sold-out gigs at places like Lost Lake and a steady stream of releases, including proper debut EP, The Garden, in December. Most recently, Cherokee Social shared the single “Calling Catalina” this week from its upcoming album, Pretty Boy Modeling School, set to drop in mid-May.  

“It’s so hot. It makes you want to move,” Navarro says of the new music.

Originally from Baltimore, he started the project after outgrowing his former pop-punk persona, Faceless Ones, and going in a more retro-pop direction, while showcasing his Cherokee roots.

“If we’re playing all these shows and getting all these people to come, I always want to represent the culture in some capacity,” Navarro explains, adding that means teaming with other Indigenous acts such as Vancouver hip-hop artist Dakota Bear as well. “The coolest thing, over the last two years, is we’ve brought out Indigenous artists.”

Now, Cherokee Social is preparing to play its largest headlining show to date at the Federal Theatre on Saturday, March 14. Navajo Nation rapper Nataanii Means and Denver house-disco duo Glamour Shot are also on the bill. Plus, áyA Con, the local Indigenous comic and art festival, is presenting a black-light powwow.

“The black lights just accentuate all of it,” Navarro says. “Imagine you have these native dancers really expressing themselves in front of everybody, but they’re under black lights, and every single dance represents something in Indigenous culture. I think it’s a cool way of taking the concept of powwow and then modernizing it.”

It’s just another extension of what Cherokee Social encompasses. The two want to create an experience, a community, just as much as they want to make meaningful music.

“We’re finally at a point where we kind of get to call the shots, really, our fans and friends are calling the shots,” Navarro shares. “It’s about how can we make this a show that’s all-inclusive and it’s just going to be fun, and the culture is also represented. [The Federal] is giving us the opportunity and letting us create a show that we think represents who we are as a band now.”

By extension, Pretty Boy Modeling School is the most fully realized version of Cherokee Social yet.

Based around a loose concept and central character that Navarro describes as a younger version of himself, the record grapples with coming-of-age themes, heartbreak and loss lyrically. But that doesn’t mean the music is melancholy. Quite the opposite. Cherokee Social knows how to bring the party.  

“It’s happy music with this really deep stuff underneath. It’s there for people if they want to uncover and interpret it, and if not, you’re going to shake your ass,” Navarro says. “We’re mixing Indigenous drums from Africa, then powwow drumming and even pan flute in there.

“The whole thing is jam-packed with the weirdest stuff,” he continues. “We’re taking everyone to class. We’re pulling influence from everywhere.”

The duo is equally inspired by pop-culture, from anime series Hunter x Hunter to cult classic The Room.

“Tommy Wiseau’s spirit is in everything we do. He had an uncompromising vision,” quips Creighton, adding a little “Oh, hi, Mark” in reference to a comedically iconic scene from The Room.

There are similar Easter eggs hidden within Cherokee Social’s music, particularly Navarro’s lyrics, but we’ll leave it up to you to discover them. Fans can grab vinyl CDs featuring Pretty Boy Modeling School demos this weekend, as well as custom longboards and Cherokee Social Flat Stanleys. The group is also giving away a guitar at the show.

“There are so many people who are showing us love, and we just want to give back to them,” Navarro says.

“At the end of the day, we want to do this full-time. I think we’re at the point where we don’t have to beat around the bush,” he concludes. “We’re authentic and you can see it throughout the music.”

Cherokee Social, with Nataanii Means and Glamour Shot, 7 p.m. Saturday, March 14, Federal Theatre, 3830 North Federal Blvd. Tickets are $22.