Kelley Stoltz shares video for "Hide in a Song" directed by Rachel Lichtman

Kelley Stoltz wisely enlisted Programme 4's Rachel Lichtman to get the period-perfect 70s look for his "Hide in a Song" video clip.  

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In anticipation of the new album La Fleur by San Francisco psych-pop ace Kelley Stoltz, comes the glorious pop single "Hide in a Song," and a new promotional film bathed in the cosmic radiance vision of director Rachel Lichtman (Programme 4).  

Kelley Stoltz has spent the past two years steadily writing and recording his 18th album, La Fleur. The dazzling 12 song collection will be released on Friday (June 7) by Agitated in Europe/UK and Dandy Boy Records in the USA.  "Hide in a Song" features Jason Falkner on electric guitar. You can pre-order Kelley Stoltz's La Fleur album via Bandcamp right here. Watch the video for "Hide in a Song" below. 

La Fleur – Kelley Stoltz

La Fleur' finds Kelley Stoltz once again playing nearly all of the instruments on the album – though a new friendship with pop guru Jason Falkner has led to Falkner appearing on two songs, “Hide In A Song” and “Make Believer” respectively. There’s the requisite 60’s meets 80’s pop rock confections that Stoltz favors with a new focus on out front vocals and perhaps a bit shinier production. Pandemic era blues, politics and fatherhood are lyrical touchstones throughout. 

The album’s first single “Reni’s Car” is the jangle rock lead single based on an actual event of Kelley riding around Manchester in the Stone Roses drummer's car. The accompanying music video was shot (partially) on location. “About Time” marries Twin Peaks synths to Fleetwood Mac and Avalon era Roxy Music in a cautionary tale to Stoltz's young daughter. “Human Events” puts revolutionary prose to a Moody Blues strum that floats off into Osees territory …and do I hear a nod to Gershwin in there? 

During the 2010s Kelley played live as a sideman with Rodriguez and Echo & the Bunnymen, as the 2020s dawned he was invited to support Pavement on their big reunion tour. He’s also been heard playing drums live with Robyn Hitchcock as well as adding sitar to Hitchcock's last two albums. In 2022, Stoltz was championed with a live appearance on Marc Riley’s BBC6 show. As producer, he has recorded the new album by Brigid Dawson formerly of the Ohsees. 

In my ears, Stoltz rarely does any wrong, and these comparisons are only just that little fruit to get you curious- he is still one of a kind. An under the radar hero to a few, and still after all these great songs, deserving of more. Climb on the bandwagon - as ever it’s quite pleasing here. – George Cloud, San Francisco, CA 2024