Meet local band Chauncie, opener for Ax & the Hatchetmen

Photo credits: Robert Stewart (@stewierobert)

April 4, 2026 Julia Moran

Born in 2022 in the basements of Purdue University, Chauncie began to play small house shows in their local DIY music scene. While mainly opting for covers and crowd favorites, the band’s chemistry was clear, and they quickly became a regular act on the weekend show bills. Their cohesion as musicians only became stronger once they began writing, and their friendship was the pillar for their writing process. In hand with this, their love for a variety of music genres not only connected them but also provided much inspiration for their own music.

Band members:

Rosie Inman (vocals) – Visual Communications Design

Aamir Rahman (guitar) – Professional Writing

Roshan Sapra (drums) – Computer Engineering

Matai Loveman (bass) – Mechanical Engineering Technology

Jeffrey Hart (guitar) – Math Education

Members (left to right): Matai Loveman, Roshan Sapra, Jeffrey Hart, Rosie Inman, Aamir Rahman
Photo credits: Robert Stewart (@stewierobert)

What genre(s) do you identify most with?

Alt-rock, pop-rock, and some funk, too!

What was your first public performance?

Our first performance together was a DIY house show, and we had practiced a lot! It was a great time.

Do you still get stage fright?

Stage fright is still something that happens all the time, of course. But now, it’s all about re-shaping the nerves into motivation- the best way to combat fright is to practice a lot so you can skip the guesswork and let loose and have fun!

How did Chauncie come to be?

Roshan and Aamir had started a heavy metal band called Code Red with some other musicians. They invited Rosie to join on another project as the singer, which created the funk-rock band Velvet. Then, after some of the past Velvet members had graduated and moved, Jeffrey and Matai were added on- Jeffrey had been in another band with Aamir and Roshan called Drive, Victoria. Matai was a friend through the scene in the band Sugar Pill- and so all combined, Chauncie was (officially) born!

Where’d you get the name, Chauncie, from?

We wanted to pay homage to Purdue where the band formed, so we took ‘Chauncie’ from the Chauncey neighborhood just off of campus. It holds our favorite hangout spots (AMPM, Vienna, etc.) and used to be where some of the band members lived.

Photo credit: Madeleine Yang (@mad_ting.4)

What are you looking forward to with this upcoming set?

We are really looking forward to the opportunity to play for Purdue again and bring some of the stuff we’ve been working hard on to the audience. We are super excited to play with Ax and the Hatchetmen; they are high-caliber musicians and really know how to put on a great show!

Are you involved in any other Purdue musical organizations?

Rosie and Aamir gig solo at the PMU occasionally, but that’s about all!

What makes Purdue/West Lafayette’s music scene special?

The people! We have made incredibly special and meaningful connections with people who like music and enjoy the art form as much as we do. The scene is so special and unique, and everyone is willing to try something new. We deeply appreciate the work and passion people express for the scene; we wouldn’t be anywhere without the venues, other bands, show attendees, photographers, and artists!

Which artists inspire you?

Strawberry Lace, Paramore, Bruno Mars, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Mars Volta, Radiohead, Maroon 5, Hiatus Kaiyote, etc. We are all over the place!

What’s your favorite song you’ve written?

“Tunnel Vision” and “Flipside” were the two songs we made where it felt like everything really clicked and that we had something special.

Favorite song to cover?

“Freebird”… never fails.

Favorite performance memory?

Boiler Gold Rush “Slayter Slam” or our set at the Lobby by Greyhouse.

Slayter Slam, 8/20/25
Photo credit: Gavin Trotter (@gavtrot_photos)

When can we see you perform next (besides your opening set)?

Catch us at Krach Lawn on April 25th for the Grand Prix show!

Where do you see the band going in the future?

Right now, we are just happy hanging out, playing shows, and making cool stuff. I don’t think our end goal is to “make it big,” we just enjoy sharing the music we’ve been creating together and will continue to do so ‘til we can’t no more! Speaking of… album on the way!!