• KELLEY STOLTZ InKelley Stoltz is a native of New York, Illinois, Texas, Michigan, New York (again), Michigan (again), and San Francisco. His debut album, The Past Was Faster reflects the broad range of cultural and geographical influences he's experienced throughout his life. A pop music fan from childhood, Kelley began collecting records at the age of 10 (with a particular passion for early Echo & The Bunnymen albums), throughout his teens he kicked around as a vocalist in various bands in Michigan. However it wasn't until his late teens that his songwriting began to develop when he taught himself to play guitar. In 1994, Kelley relocated to New York City where he began experimenting with a 4-track recorder and the songs that were to become The Past Was Faster began to take shape. After a year and a half in New York City, Kelley moved back to Michigan and took a job at a rock club. Working at the club allowed him to use the empty stage during the day to further hone his playing and make an unholy racket without disturbing the neighbors. After a time, Kelley grew restless and hit the road for a few months looking for a new place to live. He settled in San Francisco, where he intended to start a band. Growing impatient with finding players with similar sensibilities, Kelley came across a drum set at the salvation army and a keyboard at a garage sale and set to work recording his songs by himself in his bedroom on his four-track. Roughly two years later, Kelley had fully recorded versions of his songs. Kelley began circulating the finished tapes to friends and family. Eventually, one tape found it's way into the hands of Monte Vallier of Swell. Monte, together with Kelley's friends at The Telegraph Company, encouraged him to release the tapes as a full length album. Monte cleaned up, added some bass lines, and produced the original tracks while still preserving the warmth of the four-track recordings. The Past Was Faster is the result of Kelley's journey and the compelling debut document of a fine songwriter and musician.