The Lumineers (2010–2018) After finishing her degree in music education, Pekarek responded to a
Craigslist ad posted by
Wesley Schultz and
Jeremiah Fraites. Schultz and Fraites were looking for a cellist to join their band,
The Lumineers. Explaining why she responded to the ad, Pekarek said, "I was living with my parents and kind of just looking for something to do. I thought it would be a fun way to pass my time until I found something full time to do." For several months, the three rehearsed and played shows around Denver. They decided to undertake a small-scale
concert tour for 30 days, playing shows from
Portland, Oregon to New York City. Of her decision to tour with the band, Pekarek said, "I was only 23 years old. If you are going to be in a band and do something stupid, it might as well be then." The 30-day tour was followed by a tour of the
West Coast and a weekly installment at
The Living Room, a venue in New York. While her contribution to the band was most noticeable as a cellist, she had a larger role as a vocalist in live performances, including performing a duet with Schultz. and two credits on their
second album ("Gale Song" and "My Eyes"). Pekarek said that she was content with her limited role in songwriting, stating of Fraites and Schultz, "They're very meticulous and being a part of that writing team is not for the faint of heart...I'm quite content to stay out of it." Pekarek stated that she struggled with inequality in the music industry as the sole female member of The Lumineers, saying that women "have to talk twice as loud and perform twice as hard, and you have to wear heels! I see myself working really hard to make everything equal between all of us. The boys are learning a lot about it and they've been really supportive, but there've been some growing pains." On October 18, 2018, it was announced that Pekarek would be leaving the band to pursue a solo career. On leaving the band, Pekarek later said:
Solo (2019–present) To promote the 2019 release of her debut solo album,
Rattlesnake, Pekarek announced her initial headlining solo tour since her departure from The Lumineers. Pekarek wrote the "folk opera"
Rattlesnake about
Katherine McHale Slaughterback, popularly called "Rattlesnake Kate," who was a renowned snake hunter of Colorado. She created a studio album of the songs from
Rattlesnake.
Rattlesnake was released on January 18, 2019, via
S-Curve Records. In February 2022, the musical play adaptation of
Rattlesnake,
Rattlesnake Kate premiered in Denver. In July, it was honored with eight Henry Awards. The Henrys are named for producer Henry Lowenstein and recognize achievements by the Colorado Theatre Guild's member companies. At the 16th annual awards show, the
Denver Center for the Performing Arts received 47 nominations, including 16 for
Rattlesnake Kate.
Rattlesnake Kate won the awards for Outstanding Musical (tie), Direction of a Musical, Actor in a Musical (Tier 1), Actress in a Musical (Tier 1), Supporting Actor in a Musical (Tier 1), Supporting Actress in a Musical (Tier 1) (Pekarek), Choreography, and Outstanding New Play or Musical. In May 2022, Pekarek was the speaker at the University of Northern Colorado's commencement ceremonies. Pekarek enjoys seeing
plays, conducting musical
training workshops with Colorado schoolchildren, and singing
barbershop music competitively as a member of
Sweet Adelines International. In November 2024 she became a Sweet Adelines 'Queen of Harmony' as tenor of the 2025 International Quartet Champions, Clever Girl. ==References==