Chuck Prophet is a California singer, songwriter, guitarist, and producer whose career has long balanced sharp songwriting with restless musical curiosity. Known for weaving together elements of rock and roll, punk, surf, and soul, Prophet has built a reputation as an artist who follows instinct over trend, always chasing the feeling a great song can deliver. On his latest release, Wake The Dead (Yep Roc Records), he embarks on an inspired collaboration with Northern California Cumbia group ¿Qiensave?, creating a vibrant, rhythm-driven collection that blurs the lines between tradition and innovation. The result is music that feels both deeply rooted and boldly exploratory — songs that are as danceable as they are emotionally resonant.

The album was born out of a deeply personal chapter in Prophet’s life. During treatment and recovery from stage four lymphoma, Cumbia music became both comfort and companion, a soundtrack that carried him through long days of chemotherapy and immunotherapy. What began as a fascination at a weekly Cumbia night in San Francisco’s Mission District grew into a full creative immersion — collecting vinyl, DJ’ing, studying the genre’s origins, and eventually driving to Salinas to jam with ¿Qiensave?, a band of brothers from California’s Central Coast. Together, they captured the heart of Wake The Dead live in the studio, prioritizing raw energy and connection over polish. The album pulses with hope and grit in equal measure — an adventurous, life-affirming celebration from an artist who doesn’t shy away from darkness, but always finds his way toward the light.