The Lumineers
The Lumineers began as a two man band in Ramsey, New Jersey. The first named
Wesley Shultz and the second named Jeremiah Fraites. It started by finding solace in music
after Josh Fraites (brother of Jeremiah and best friend of Wesley) passed away via drug
overdose in 2002, he was only 19 years old. The impact of their loss only fueled their passion
to overcome obstacles and move forward.
Shortly after they began playing together they agreed on performing. They called
themselves Wesley-Jeremiah and 6cheek. They traveled around New Jersey and New York
playing for private parties, gigs, and other small scale events. After eight years of not being
able to gain a solid following in either place they decided to move to Denver, Colorado in
2010.
Once there they placed a craigslist add for a classical cellist, and hit the jack pot when
Neyla Pekerak responded. Not only does she play the Cello she also sings and it brought
about a new sound from newly found trio named The Lumineers. Their bands name was
mistakenly announced at a small club in New Jersey, it is said they were scheduled to play at
the same time, same day the next week but it stuck and that was it.
They signed with Onto Entertainment in the spring of 2011 with producer Ryan
Hadlock. They came up with the hit Ho-Hey during that time, it was featured on the TV
show Heart of Dixie and created a buzz on social media. Soon after it was in the hands of
radio DJs and became known as the most popular song of 2012. Their success has been a
steady uphill battle, getting up to #3 on top billboard 100, and #2 for billboard 200 albums.
They were nominated for two Grammy awards one for best new artist and the other for best
Americana album. Although they did not win any they did perform during the Grammys and
each artist was quoted saying Performing there is as just as good as taking one home.
They write all of their music in a small house/studio in Denver. Wesley and Jeremiah
are the primary lyricists. Each play multiple instruments such as the piano, ukulele, violin,
cello and many handheld instruments. Shultz was quoted saying they start out with a chord
structure or piano then add the words. Most of their songs can be classified as American folk
rock, however in my opinion it is soft and slow enough to be classified also as indie or soft
rock. By not using auto-tune and other sound enhancing equipment they have been able to set
themselves apart from the mainstream artists we hear on the radio, over and over again every
day.
They write and play not to have one hit but to have an entire album their fans can
enjoy. Each song has a deep meaning behind it and it is played in a mellow rhythm anyone
can easily enjoy. They are not vulgar, and family friendly. I listen to The Lumineers while I
study, drive, hang out, etc. Each individual in the artist trio is genuine when it comes to
music and they all aim to create something that can be universal.
Their first album was self-titled and was a slower folk type in comparison to their
new album Cleopatra which features more piano and is upbeat. Cleopatra starts with an
opening piece named Patience it is a delightful minute long piano solo. With their new
album they have begun touring the world starting in Europe, into the UK and Canada selling
out over seventy percent of their shows. After their hit single Ho-Hey they came out with
Submarines in 2013, followed by Ophelia in 2014. Each went double platinum and
engaged more and more fans.
They are influenced by Bob Dylan, Beethoven, Arteha Franklin, Talking Heads, Tom
Petty and Guns N Roses. Shultz has said he is most influenced in performance by Tom Petty
after attending one of his shows; and most influenced vocally by Bob Dylan for his ability to
be versatile. Jeremiah is influenced by Talking Heads because that is what he listened to
while growing up. Neyla is influenced by Aretha Franklin for her classical style.
The only criticism they have received was from artist Alice Cooper who called it an
offense to label them as a rock band. Aside from him most other people around the world
enjoy their music. Their biggest competition is Mumford and Sons whose music is similar to
theirs in the acoustic/rustic folk/soft rock style.
Overall after only three years of being together and creating over three double
platinum hits, I can only imagine what more they have in store and look forward to seeing
them in Salt Lake City, Utah at the Red Butte Gardens in May 2016.