Wesley Schultz

Wesley Schultz
Schultz performing with The Lumineers in 2012
Background information
Birth name	Wesley Keith Schultz
Born	(1982-12-30) December 30, 1982 (age 34)
Origin	Ramsey, New Jersey, United States.
Instruments	Vocals guitar piano ukulele drums
Years active	2005–present
Website	http://www.thelumineers.com

Wesley Keith Schultz (born December 30, 1982) is the guitarist and lead vocalist for the American folk rock band The Lumineers.

Schultz grew up in Ramsey, New Jersey. 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. 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 practising a lot."

Growing up in Ramsey, Schultz's best friend was Josh Fraites. Fraites died of a drug overdose in 2002, at the age of 19. 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." 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.

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. Upon arriving in Denver, they placed a Craigslist ad for a classical cellist. Neyla Pekarek responded to their ad and ultimately became the third member of The Lumineers. The trio spent the next year playing gigs around Denver and touring nationally at their own expense.

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"