Born and raised in Fort Collins, Colorado, Stelth Ulvang’s musical journey has been characterized by a relentless pursuit of authenticity and vulnerability. With fifteen years as the pianist for The Lumineers, Ulvang has honed his craft and emerged as a multifaceted artist, seamlessly weaving elements of folk, rock, and alt-country into his signature sound. Now residing in the high desert of Bishop, California, his upcoming album, “Stelth Ulvang and the Tigernips,” promises to showcase his unparalleled artistry and musical storytelling prowess.
Ulvang and The Tigernips create soulful folk-rock on “Dissolve.” The vocals sit somewhere between classic soul and acoustic folk-punk melodies, as the arrangement is equally ambiguous with its twangy tones and subtle jazz swing. By toying with the classic approach to fusion, the band is able to create a comfortable environment for the vulnerable lyrics. “Dissolve” centers around the idea of becoming impervious to the trappings of loneliness, hoping that at least a portion of the brain can withstand swirling negative thoughts. The poetic and honest lyrics are juxtaposed by the subtle groove of the arrangement that makes the subtle sadness of “Dissolve” danceable and bright. Ulvang And The Tigernips blend tropes from soul, folk, and rock to create the moving performance that is “Dissolve.”
“I have been rereading some Kerouac, and it blended with the absurdness of 90s indie slack like Wilco or Pavement,” explains Ulvang. “‘Dissolve’ started silly and got too deep too quick, venturing into thoughts of colonialism of the world and self and insomnia delirium. First thought, best thought lyrics, but still shouting my wish to be solid or stone or stoned, who knows!”
