Kelley Stoltz: Artist You Should Know

From KCRW DJ Eric J Lawrence:

Kelley Stoltz has been a mainstay of the San Francisco bay area indie-rock scene for over a decade, working with artists such as Bart Davenport, The Moore Brothers, Thee Oh Sees and Sonny & the Sunsets. His solo albums have been perennial favorites of mine as well, and I’m happy to say that the streak continues with his third Sub Pop album, “To Dreamers.”

No doubt Stoltz has a knack for writing catchy pop tunes.

Stream “Keeping The Flame”:

Echoes of such crafty songwriters as Brian Wilson, Ray Daviesand Ian McCulloch of Echo & the Bunnymen flit throughout his work (put on your Elmer Fudd hat & do some rabbit hunting for Stoltz’ track-for-track version of Echo’s “Crocodiles” album to hear the obvious connections for yourself). But there’s always been a garage rock flavor to his music as well, and this latest album seems to more fully embrace it that its predecessors. He even enlists the assistance of cult artist Pete Miller, aka Big Boy Pete, on a cover of Miller’s 1966 single, “Baby I Got News for You.”

Despite all its “rough and rumble” garage rock feel, “To Dreamers” still retains Stoltz’ magical ability to capture the summery sounds of sunshine peeking through the leaves of a tree that you are lazily napping under.

This combination of sugary, twinkling pop with the attack of guitar-driven garage rock suits Stoltz to a tee.

ERIC J. LAWRENCE