Kelley Stoltz

Kelley Stoltz

Kelley Stoltz is an American singer, songwriter and musician born in 1971. He grows up in the Detroit area, later spends time in New York City, and then settles in San Francisco. In New York, he works in the mailroom at Jeff Buckley’s management company before beginning to record his own material.

Early recordings and first releases

Stoltz starts out making songs on a four-track recorder and performs all the parts himself. Monte Vallier helps him shape these early recordings for release as The Past Was Faster on The Telegraph Company. He then moves to an eight-track recorder and issues Antique Glow himself in a limited vinyl edition, with each copy housed in a different sleeve designed by Stoltz.

Labels and albums

Antique Glow is later picked up by Jackpine Social Club for a wider release in 2003. That release raises his profile and allows him to leave his teaching job. He then signs to Sub Pop, where he releases the Sun Comes Through EP and the full-length Below the Branches. His band tours as the opening act for the Raconteurs the same summer. In 2008 he returns with Circular Sounds, followed by To Dreamers on Sub Pop and Double Exposure on Third Man Records.

Style and associated acts

His work is associated with rock and indie, and he is also tagged with lo-fi, psychedelic rock and folk. The artist is linked with Earth Girl Helen Brown, Loud Fast Fools, Prince Nedick & The Conks, Robert Chuffley & His Tranquil Peoples Choir, Fuckaroos, and Zig Speck & His Specktones. He is also associated with Chuffed Records.