Story & Lesson Highlights with Nolan McKelvey of Scottsdale/PV

Nolan McKelvey shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Hi Nolan, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
This is my creative time. I tend to get up very early and I often have song ideas immediately upon waking. If I don’t force myself to write them down, they seem to go away, So, I force myself to capture the moment. There is a lucidity that cherish in these early morning hours.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am an Arizona-based songwriter and musician. I just released my new record, How Small We Are, in the USA and Europe. It’s on all streaming platforms now. I have a record release show on 9/28 at the Orpheum Theater in Flagstaff. There will be something in Scottsdale or Phoenix in the spring. I was dubbed “Best musician” by the Arizona Daily Sun, and “Flagstaff’s Poet Laureate” by FlagLive!. I was noted to be, “Central to the Boston roots rock scene” by WBUR. I like to highlight things like that because someone else said them. I’m not much of a salesman.
I performed at the Newport Folk Festival, Cambridge Folk Festival, Telluride Bluegrass Festival, Pickin’ In the Pines Festival, and many other festivals. I’ve received critical acclaim at home and in Europe over the years.
I’ve been living in the valley for over 10 years now. I previously lived in Flagstaff and Boston among other places.
I love to write, play, and sing my songs. I also love to play bass and support other artists. In the past year I frequently played bass and sang harmonies with Jesse Valenzuela, Mark Zubia, and other great musicians in the Phoenix area music scene. I find just as much joy being the side guy as I do the front guy, if not more.
All I really want to do is support the song, whether it is mine or someone else’s. I’m thankful I have this vehicle that allows me to express myself.

Okay, so here’s a deep one: What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
Becoming a father shaped my world view more than anything. I learned so much about love. I became more cognizant of how I was perceived both externally and internally. I became more aware of my words and actions and continue to grow from the experience. My own father gave me so much, and I’m trying to follow his footsteps.

What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Over the past five years I have experienced many losses. Both of my parents, multiple close friends, and others I esteemed and/or respected.. Seeing some of them suffer, and acknowledging my own suffering after loss, made me double down on being alive in the time I have to live. I’m just grateful and thankful for this life.

Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
I suspect they would say my family, friends, work, and music. I couldn’t get by without any one of those four pillars.

Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope people would say I was a good father and husband, that I was thoughtful observer of this world, and that I lived an honest life passionately. I hope my songs will outlive me and will paint a picture of this time. For instance, on the new record there is one called, The Valley of the Sun, and I think it captures an image of Phoenix in this moment.
See you at the record release show on 9/28 at the Orpheum theater in Flagstaff!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.nolanmckelvey.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nolan.mckelvey?igsh=cHU5dDcweGcweTJs&utm_source=qr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1CUe4whgWJ/?mibextid=wwXIfr
• Youtube: @nolanmckelvey

Image Credits
All photos by: Maria Vassett