Kelley Stoltz
Encyclopedia
Kelley Stoltz is an American
singer, songwriter
and musician
. He currently resides in San Francisco, Calif.. His music has been compared to that of Brian Wilson, The Velvet Underground, Nick Drake and Leonard Cohen
.
. He moved to New York
in his early twenties. While living in New York in the mid 1990s, Stoltz served as an intern with Jeff Buckley
's management company where he worked as a "fan-mail" sorter. In the late 1990s he relocated to San Francisco and began his own musical career. Stoltz recorded his first album The Past Was Faster
in 1999, released on Telegraph Records. Stoltz self-released his second album Antique Glow
in 2001. The original release was 300 vinyl LPs in hand-painted sleeves. Later the album gained wider distribution when it was released by Jackpine Social Club in the US, Beautiful Happiness in the UK and Raoul Records in Australia. His next project was recorded in the last week of 2001: a track by track cover of Echo & the Bunnymen
's Crocodiles
album recorded on his 8-track tape recorder.
In late 2003, Stoltz toured Australia for the first time and recorded a 4 track direct to disc EP at Corduroy Records. In 2004, Mojo magazine gave Antique Glow a four (out of five) star review and featured an article on Stoltz in their "Mojo Rising" column. In 2005, Stoltz signed to Sub Pop
and released "The Sun Comes Through" EP. He also toured Europe in April and Australia for a second time in Dec 2005-January 2006. His first full length release for Sub Pop
, entitled "Below the Branches", was released in February 2006.
In tandem with the release of "Below the Branches" was an industry first: "Below the Branches" was the first record in history to make an on-package claim about renewable energy use with the Green-e logo. Stoltz tracked his electricity use and with the help of the Green-e program, offset the all the electricity used to record his record with green tags from the Bonneville Environmental Foundation
. In Kelley's words: “Using renewable energy to offset the electricity I needed to power my guitar amps and my recording machines was a simple and effective way for me to do something about my impact on the environment. Green-e certifies that I am buying 100 percent renewable energy. Hopefully, people will see their logo; check into what they do, and make renewable energy a part of their lives, too."
Stoltz and his band were the opening support band for The Raconteurs
, on their July and August 2006 tour. Stoltz also performed at the 2006 Lollapalooza
in Chicago. His song "Birdies Singing" from "Below the Branches" has been used by Volvo for the Volvo C30 commercial in Sweden in 2007; it has also been used for the Regions Financial
ad campaign of 2007 in the U.S. Stoltz's song, "Memory Collector" is featured in a Marriott Hotels ad, and several of his songs were used in the hit FX series, "Damages." In early 2006, Stoltz produced God's Boat, the debut album from The Passionistas - which was released on June 5, 2007. He also produced or worked on other bay area albums Thee Oh Sees/Sucks Blood, Bart Davenport/Palaces, Moore Brothers
/Aptos and Colossal Yes/Charlemagne's Big Thaw.
On February 5, 2008 Stoltz's album Circular Sounds was released by Sub Pop. In 2010 he opened for his heroes Echo and the Bunnymen on a North American Tour after the scheduled opening group was waylaid by the 2010 Icelandic volcano eruption.
On October 12, 2010 Sub Pop released Stoltz's album To Dreamers. Additionally, Stoltz appeared on Sonny Smith
's Sonny and the Sunsets album Tomorrow is Alright
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
singer, songwriter
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
and musician
Musician
A musician is an artist who plays a musical instrument. It may or may not be the person's profession. Musicians can be classified by their roles in performing music and writing music.Also....* A person who makes music a profession....
. He currently resides in San Francisco, Calif.. His music has been compared to that of Brian Wilson, The Velvet Underground, Nick Drake and Leonard Cohen
Leonard Cohen
Leonard Norman Cohen, is a Canadian singer-songwriter, musician, poet and novelist. Cohen published his first book of poetry in Montreal in 1956 and his first novel in 1963. His work often explores religion, isolation, sexuality and interpersonal relationships...
.
Musical career
Kelley Stoltz was born in 1971 and grew up in MichiganMichigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
. He moved to New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
in his early twenties. While living in New York in the mid 1990s, Stoltz served as an intern with Jeff Buckley
Jeff Buckley
Jeffrey Scott "Jeff" Buckley , raised as Scotty Moorhead, was an American singer-songwriter and guitarist. He was the son of Tim Buckley, also a musician...
's management company where he worked as a "fan-mail" sorter. In the late 1990s he relocated to San Francisco and began his own musical career. Stoltz recorded his first album The Past Was Faster
The Past Was Faster
The Past Was Faster is a 1999 album by San Francisco musician and songwriter Kelley Stoltz. It was his first official release and was released on December 14, 2001....
in 1999, released on Telegraph Records. Stoltz self-released his second album Antique Glow
Antique Glow
Antique Glow is a 2002 album by San Francisco musician Kelley Stoltz.As with Stoltz's previous album, The Past Was Faster, Stoltz once again played all the instruments and recorded the album in his apartment, this time on a Tascam 388 1/4" reel-to-reel tape recorder.A hundred copies of the album,...
in 2001. The original release was 300 vinyl LPs in hand-painted sleeves. Later the album gained wider distribution when it was released by Jackpine Social Club in the US, Beautiful Happiness in the UK and Raoul Records in Australia. His next project was recorded in the last week of 2001: a track by track cover of Echo & the Bunnymen
Echo & the Bunnymen
Echo & the Bunnymen are an English post-punk band, formed in Liverpool in 1978. The original line-up consisted of vocalist Ian McCulloch, guitarist Will Sergeant and bass player Les Pattinson, supplemented by a drum machine. By 1980, Pete de Freitas had joined as the band's drummer, and their debut...
's Crocodiles
Crocodiles (album)
Crocodiles is the debut album by the British post-punk band Echo & the Bunnymen. It was released on 18 July 1980 in the United Kingdom and on 17 December 1980 in the United States. The album reached number 17 on the UK Albums Chart...
album recorded on his 8-track tape recorder.
In late 2003, Stoltz toured Australia for the first time and recorded a 4 track direct to disc EP at Corduroy Records. In 2004, Mojo magazine gave Antique Glow a four (out of five) star review and featured an article on Stoltz in their "Mojo Rising" column. In 2005, Stoltz signed to Sub Pop
Sub Pop
Sub Pop is a record label founded in 1986 by Bruce Pavitt and Jonathan Poneman in Seattle, Washington. Sub Pop achieved fame in the late 1980s for first signing Nirvana, Soundgarden, Mudhoney and many other bands from the Seattle music scene...
and released "The Sun Comes Through" EP. He also toured Europe in April and Australia for a second time in Dec 2005-January 2006. His first full length release for Sub Pop
Sub Pop
Sub Pop is a record label founded in 1986 by Bruce Pavitt and Jonathan Poneman in Seattle, Washington. Sub Pop achieved fame in the late 1980s for first signing Nirvana, Soundgarden, Mudhoney and many other bands from the Seattle music scene...
, entitled "Below the Branches", was released in February 2006.
In tandem with the release of "Below the Branches" was an industry first: "Below the Branches" was the first record in history to make an on-package claim about renewable energy use with the Green-e logo. Stoltz tracked his electricity use and with the help of the Green-e program, offset the all the electricity used to record his record with green tags from the Bonneville Environmental Foundation
Bonneville Environmental Foundation
The Bonneville Environmental Foundation is a non-profit organization that markets green power products to public utilities, businesses, government agencies and individuals. It was founded in 1998 to support watershed restoration programs and develop new sources of renewable energy...
. In Kelley's words: “Using renewable energy to offset the electricity I needed to power my guitar amps and my recording machines was a simple and effective way for me to do something about my impact on the environment. Green-e certifies that I am buying 100 percent renewable energy. Hopefully, people will see their logo; check into what they do, and make renewable energy a part of their lives, too."
Stoltz and his band were the opening support band for The Raconteurs
The Raconteurs
The Raconteurs is an American rock band that was formed in Detroit, Michigan, featuring four members known for other musical projects: Jack White , Brendan Benson , Jack Lawrence , and Patrick Keeler .-Formation:The...
, on their July and August 2006 tour. Stoltz also performed at the 2006 Lollapalooza
Lollapalooza
Lollapalooza is an annual music festival featuring popular alternative rock, heavy metal, punk rock and hip hop bands, dance and comedy performances, and craft booths. It has also provided a platform for non-profit and political groups. The music festival hosts more than 160,000 people over a...
in Chicago. His song "Birdies Singing" from "Below the Branches" has been used by Volvo for the Volvo C30 commercial in Sweden in 2007; it has also been used for the Regions Financial
Regions Financial
Regions Financial Corporation is a publicly held company based in Birmingham, Alabama, USA, with the corporate headquarters at the Regions Center...
ad campaign of 2007 in the U.S. Stoltz's song, "Memory Collector" is featured in a Marriott Hotels ad, and several of his songs were used in the hit FX series, "Damages." In early 2006, Stoltz produced God's Boat, the debut album from The Passionistas - which was released on June 5, 2007. He also produced or worked on other bay area albums Thee Oh Sees/Sucks Blood, Bart Davenport/Palaces, Moore Brothers
Moore Brothers
The Moore Brothers were three Irish born brothers who became famous in the motion picture business in early Hollywood.# Thomas J. Moore – # Owen Moore – # Matthew Moore –...
/Aptos and Colossal Yes/Charlemagne's Big Thaw.
On February 5, 2008 Stoltz's album Circular Sounds was released by Sub Pop. In 2010 he opened for his heroes Echo and the Bunnymen on a North American Tour after the scheduled opening group was waylaid by the 2010 Icelandic volcano eruption.
On October 12, 2010 Sub Pop released Stoltz's album To Dreamers. Additionally, Stoltz appeared on Sonny Smith
Sonny Smith
Charles H. "Sonny" Smith is a retired American men's college basketball head coach. Originally from Roan Mountain, Tennessee, Smith served as a head coach for twenty-two seasons...
's Sonny and the Sunsets album Tomorrow is Alright
Tomorrow is Alright
Tomorrow is Alright is a 2009 album by American band Sonny & The Sunsets.-Track listing:# "Too Young to Burn"# "Death Cream"# "Strange Love"# "Planet of Women"# "The Houris"# "Stranded"# "Bad Vibes & Evil Thoughts"# "Chapters"...
.
Discography
- The Past Was FasterThe Past Was FasterThe Past Was Faster is a 1999 album by San Francisco musician and songwriter Kelley Stoltz. It was his first official release and was released on December 14, 2001....
(1999) - Antique GlowAntique GlowAntique Glow is a 2002 album by San Francisco musician Kelley Stoltz.As with Stoltz's previous album, The Past Was Faster, Stoltz once again played all the instruments and recorded the album in his apartment, this time on a Tascam 388 1/4" reel-to-reel tape recorder.A hundred copies of the album,...
(2001) - Crockodials (Late 2001)
- Australian Tour LP (2003)
- The Sun Comes Through (2005, Sub PopSub PopSub Pop is a record label founded in 1986 by Bruce Pavitt and Jonathan Poneman in Seattle, Washington. Sub Pop achieved fame in the late 1980s for first signing Nirvana, Soundgarden, Mudhoney and many other bands from the Seattle music scene...
) - Below The Branches (2006, Sub PopSub PopSub Pop is a record label founded in 1986 by Bruce Pavitt and Jonathan Poneman in Seattle, Washington. Sub Pop achieved fame in the late 1980s for first signing Nirvana, Soundgarden, Mudhoney and many other bands from the Seattle music scene...
) - Circular Sounds (2008, Sub PopSub PopSub Pop is a record label founded in 1986 by Bruce Pavitt and Jonathan Poneman in Seattle, Washington. Sub Pop achieved fame in the late 1980s for first signing Nirvana, Soundgarden, Mudhoney and many other bands from the Seattle music scene...
) - To Dreamers (2010, Sub PopSub PopSub Pop is a record label founded in 1986 by Bruce Pavitt and Jonathan Poneman in Seattle, Washington. Sub Pop achieved fame in the late 1980s for first signing Nirvana, Soundgarden, Mudhoney and many other bands from the Seattle music scene...
)