Wesley Schultz
Wesley Schultz | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Wesley Keith Schultz |
| Born | December 30, 1982 |
| Origin | Ramsey, New Jersey, United States. |
| Instrument(s) | Vocals, Guitar |
| Years active | 2005–present |
| Website | http://www.thelumineers.com |
Wesley Keith Schultz (born December 30, 1982)[1] is the guitarist and lead vocalist for the American folk rock band The Lumineers.
Life and career
Schultz grew up in Ramsey, New Jersey.[2] At the time The Lumineers released their first album, their press release highlighted the fact that Schultz, then age 9, had been quoted in a 1992 story in The New York Times.[2] In that story (a profile of Dennis Kobray, who toured elementary schools imitating classical composers as a way to introduce children to classical music), 9-year-old Schultz is quoted as saying: "I spend a lot of time on my drawings and it turns out good 'cause I've been practicing a lot."[3]
Growing up in Ramsey, Schultz's best friend was Josh Fraites.[4] Fraites died of a drug overdose in 2002, age 19.[4] In the wake of Josh's death, Schultz connected with Josh's younger brother Jeremiah Fraites, a drummer, and the two "found solace in music, writing songs and playing gigs around New York."[5] The two toured under the name Wesley Jeremiah, and released a self-titled EP (including future The Lumineers songs, "Flowers In Your Hair" and "Darlene."
Wesley Schultz attended the University of Richmond.[6]
Frustrated by their band's limited success in New York, and struggling with the high cost of living, Schultz and Fraites decided to relocate to Denver, where they could dedicate more time to working on their music and touring.[2] Upon arriving in Denver, they placed a Craigslist ad for a classical cellist.[4][5] Neyla Pekarek responded to their ad and ultimately became the third member of The Lumineers.[4][5] The trio spent the next year playing gigs around Denver and touring nationally at their own expense.[4]
In 2012, The Lumineers released their first album, The Lumineers. Three songs from that album (all co-written by Schultz and Fraites) have charted: "Ho Hey" "Stubborn Love" and "Submarines"
In 2013, the band released a deluxe edition of their self-titled album. It included 5 bonus tracks, over 25 minutes of video footage, and a 28 page booklet.
Songwriting credits
| Year | Artist | Song | Co-written with | U.S. peak position |
U.K. peak position |
| 2012 | The Lumineers | "Ho Hey" | Jeremiah Fraites | 3[7] | 8[8] |
| 2012 | The Lumineers | "Stubborn Love" | Jeremiah Fraites | 70 | — |
References
- ^ Kent, Richard (2012-12-24). "Celeb birthdays for the week of Dec. 30-Jan. 5 | wfaa.com Dallas - Fort Worth". Wfaa.com. Retrieved 2014-04-21.
- ^ a b c Staff. "The Lumineers: Chasing Big Dreams Out West", NPR, May 26, 2012. Accessed November 14, 2012
- ^ Valerie Cruice, "On Tour With a Thoroughly Modern Beethoven", The New York Time, March 15, 1992.
- ^ a b c d e McDermott, Maeve. "Meet roots rockers The Lumineers", USA Today, June 24, 2012.
- ^ a b c The Lumineers Biography from their website.
- ^ "Why The Lumineers Don't Eat At T.G.I. Friday's | Your Hub for Southern Culture". Thedailysouth.southernliving.com. 2012-10-24. Retrieved 2014-04-21.
- ^ Billboard.com
- ^ Official Chart Company