Southern California Sweet Soul six piece, The Charities, were formed by songwriter and lead vocalist Brock Van Pelt in 2017. The band’s lineup and overall sound has evolved along with the burgeoning West Coast Soul movement, in which they take part.

The group further developed during the pandemic, when the members lived together on a ranch in San Luis Obispo County. Isolation and collaboration provided time and space to refine the songwriting and harmonies that have come to define the band’s sound.

Their most recent release, “Movin’ On” b/w “I’m Still Learning How,” is a snapshot of where The Charities have come from and a promise of where they are heading. It is “a love letter to the sweet soul of the West Coast scene and their statement of intent to be ambassadors of that sound, adding their voice to the communal harmony.”

The digital and 7″vinyl single “Movin’ On” b/w “I’m Still Learning How” is out now via Colemine Records. It’s also available on streaming.

Joining Van Pelt and childhood friend / original member Alec Kersenboom (guitar/background vocals), The Charities consist of Mike Butler (keys/background vocals), Derek Doszkocs (bass/background vocals), Shane Nowak (drums), and Sage Provins (guitar/background vocals).

While the band cut its teeth live on the Central Coast, a close friend of Kersenboom’s, engineer Anthony Masino (Bruno Mars, Thee Sacred Souls, Womack Sisters) began working at Penrose Studios in Riverside and reconnected. As a result, Masino has served as a producer and key collaborator ever since.

Over the last few years, The Charities have released a slate of singles and 45s, also sharing the stage with Thee Sacred Souls, Durand Jones & The Indications, The Altons, Los Yesterdays, and Colemine Records label mates, Thee Sinseers, the latter who they’ll be touring with for a tour this Fall.

THE CHARITES 2026 TOUR DATES

* w/ THEE SINSEERS

Oct 28 Wed – Cine El Rey – Mcallen, TX *

Oct 29 Thu – The Heights Theater – Houston, TX *

Oct 30 Fri – Stable Hall – San Antonio, TX *

Oct 31 Sat – The Kessler Theater – Dallas, TX *

Nov 2 Mon – Gothic Theatre – Englewood, CO *

Nov 3 Tue – Aggie Theatre – Fort Collins, CO *

Nov 4 Wed – The Commonwealth Room – South Salt Lake, UT *

Nov 6 Fri – The Fillmore – San Francisco, CA *

Nov 28 Sat – Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center – Long Beach, CA (w/ Barbara Mason, War, The Chi-lites and others)

Dec 31 – Riverside Municipal Auditorium – Riverside, CA (w/ Irene Diaz, Trish Toledo)