Whether he’s performing on some of the Mid-Atlantic’s biggest stages or writing songs that celebrate life in Maryland, Luke Borchelt has never strayed far from his hometown roots. The Anne Arundel County native has enjoyed an exciting year, performing at 93.1 WPOC’s Saturday in the Country at Merriweather Post Pavilion, the Country Calling music festival in Ocean City, and even singing the National Anthem before a recent Orioles game at Camden Yards. His original songs, including Maryland Life and the fan-favorite Ocean City, have struck a chord with listeners by capturing the pride, traditions, and laid-back lifestyle that make this area so special.
With two Pasadena performances coming up as part of his “The Water Town” tour – at Twain’s Tavern on Friday, August 21, and the Riviera Beach Music Festival on October 10 – local fans won’t have to travel far to see him perform. Ahead of his return to Pasadena, Real Pasadena sat down with Borchelt to talk about his musical journey, his Maryland roots, and what’s next as his career continues to build momentum.
Q: Tell me a little bit about yourself and your connection to Anne Arundel County. Where in Anne Arundel County did you grow up? Where did you go to high school?
A: I was born and raised in the same house in Riva, Maryland. I went to Annapolis Area Christian School. My dad went to Arundel High. My mom is from Prince George’s County.
Q: People usually associate country music with places like Tennessee or Texas. What does “Maryland Country” mean to you?
A: I consider myself a country artist. I call it “Crab Country”. That’s my name for it. It’s two things: It’s my sound, which is a little bit different. And it’s also the combination of cultures. You can’t grow up in Maryland and not be exposed to so many different cultures. Crab Country is really all about telling stories about the local waterways and life in Maryland. I think that’s what my music is for – to try and paint the picture of what life around here is really like.
Q: Who are some artists that have had the biggest influence on you?
A: Tyler Childers. Lynard Skynard. Frank Ocean.
Q: Growing up here, what are some memories that still find their way into your music?
A: We’ve had a boat my whole life. I grew up on the South River. I love all my family. All of my aunts, uncles and cousins are all within 30 minutes. I love Edgewater Restaurant. My uncle actually started the Eastport a Rockin’ event – which is a music festival in Annapolis. He was really involved in the local music scene back in the nineties.
Q: You didn’t pick up a guitar until you were 23. What made you decide to start then?
A: It was Covid. I feel like everyone had a chance to really look at their lives. It was like a big pause for many people. I was dating a girl at the time and living in New York City. And she had hobbies after work, and all I did after work was drink. I always wanted to play guitar, and I really felt the pressure of adult life – all these walls were closing in on me – and so I just picked up a guitar one day and started teaching myself. I would just be in my room for hours practicing. I never had a teacher. When I learned to play guitar it was like a key that unlocked all these stories. I eventually moved back home and started playing every dock bar in the county playing covers. It has been the greatest gift. Also, fun fact – Kenny Chesney didn’t start playing guitar until 23.
Q: Was there a moment when you realized music could become more than just a hobby?
A: I used to sing in bands and write songs when I was younger. I was not a stranger to music. My dad sang in church. When I started doing this on a more serious level, I really tried not to worry about whether it was going to get big or not. I just wanted to write songs that my family and I could be proud of. I really try to keep that at my core. If I focus on how big it could be, I would lose something.
But one day not long after I put out my song “Every Rain”, I was here in Maryland and I got a call from the executive at Sony Music in Nashville. I was actually just sitting in my boxers on my parents’ couch when he called. He was like, “Who the hell are you? What the hell are you doing?” He told me that this was a game-changing record, and that my life was about to change. Someone apparently had sent one of my demos to him, because I had no industry connection. Soon after, I was offered a record deal and publishing deal through with a company in Nashville called Droptine Recordings, in conjunction with Sony Music. So, my first trip to Nashville was in September-October, and within two days I had a record deal.
Q: What were you doing before you picked up a guitar and started playing music?
A: I really thought I was set with my career. I was in disaster relief working for a nonprofit based out of Portsmouth, Virginia called Mercy Chefs. I was in full-time ministry at that point. Growing up in the church, I thought this was the end all be all. That all changed when I started playing guitar. I think it was Hurricane Ian when it became a thing for me to playing songs after we’d be done work for the day. I remember my coworkers looking at me saying, I think you might have something. They all encouraged me to chase my dreams.
I am still involved with Mercy Chefs. I went to Texas after the floods there last year to serve food. There’s also a kitchen in Nashville that I work with.
Q: Where do your best song ideas usually come from?
A: Just looking around. I usually start with an image. If I see something, I write it down. I try to start each of my songs with an image.
Q: Are your songs based on real-life experiences, or do you enjoy telling fictional stories?
A: Everything is real and personal. I feel that’s the only way to do it.
Q: Which song has been the most personal for you to write, and why?
A: I really like this song “Cherokee” on the new record.
Q: Has there ever been a song you almost didn’t release because it felt too personal?
A: Yes for sure. There was a song on the last record called “Frostbit Hands” that I actually changed to make it feel less personal.
Q: Looking back over the last few years, what’s been the biggest “pinch me” moment so far?
A: Last year when I got the call to perform at Merriweather Post Pavilion for 93.1 WPOC’s Saturday in the Country.
Playing at Seacrets was really cool, too. There were probably 100 people in line after I performed (over the Fourth of July weekend). I think the most famous place I am anywhere is probably in Ocean City.
Q: What’s your favorite song you’ve ever written?
A: “Victoria”. I just remember writing and thinking that this song is just really freaking good.
Q: You’ll be performing at Twain’s Tavern in Pasadena next month. Will this be your first performance in Pasadena?
A: Yes, this will be my first public performance in Pasadena.
Q: Why will the people of Pasadena relate to your music?
A: Because I sing about our lives. I sing about people and life in Anne Arundel County.
Q: What can fans expect from your live show that they won’t get from simply listening on Spotify?
A: Everybody says that I’m better live. I’m going to have a full band. It’s going to be a party.
Q: What does it mean to perform so close to where you grew up?
A: Twain’s is legendary. This is my first headline tour. I’m so used to being the opener and only having 20-25 minutes. The fact that I’m getting to do 18-20 shows in August and people are coming to see just me, I think that makes it the most special.
Q: When you’re not making music, what does a perfect day look like?
A: A perfect day honestly is when we take the boat down to Lowes Wharf. It’s down near St. Michael’s and Tilghman Island. There’s a swim-up bar. You park up by the water and take a dinghy in. We go wakeboarding in the morning, take the boat to Lowes, get an orange crush bucket and some crabs. Come home sunburned.
Q: What are you most excited about over the next year?
I think there’ll be more tour dates after August. I plan on putting out another project before the year is over. I’m excited for more shows. Coming up, I’m playing the Bmore Around Town Morgan Wallen Tailgate Party next weekend, then playing Anne Arundel County Fair in September, and then also the Riviera Beach Music Festival in October.
Q: Are there any dream collaborations you’d love to make happen?
A: Tyler Childers for sure.
Q: What’s your go-to Maryland food?
A: Stuffed shrimp at Edgewater Restaurant and fresh oysters out of the bay.
Q: What song gets the best crowd reaction every night?
A: “Ocean City” for sure.
Q: When people hear the name Luke Borchelt five or ten years from now, what do you hope they think of?
A: Genuine. Local.
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Catch Luke Borchelt performing live at venues and festivals right here in the local area over the coming months. For his latest schedule, ticket links, and newly added dates, be sure to check his official website and Facebook page.
Friday, October 10: Riviera Beach Music Festival
Friday, July 17: BMore Around Town Morgan Wallen Tailgate Party
Friday, August 21: Twain’s Tavern
1 Comment
I Am Luke Borchelt’s Grammy. He is one of the finest, purist real young guys you will ever meet. He is a realist and his persona speaks volumes. He is loaded with REAL talent. Enjoy