Nolen Sellwood is a man of many talents. As if releasing his second album, Cadence to the Flame, wasn’t enough – he’s made the Dean’s list and was named national top 20 arm wrestler for his weight. His songs sound like he lives in a musical bubble. They are rich with imagery, authenticity and a measured patience that defies his age. His voice is smooth and comforting like a hug on a rainy day. You hear his new album live on June 15 at the Bryant Lake Bowl.
Last time we spoke (Aug 2022), you were working Cadence to the Flame. How was/is the process of the second album different from the first for you?
This album was different from my first album in that I think of my first album as me learning how to do music in a professional setting. I had never recorded anything in my life and had no formal music education from school so I was just winging everything. This second album is me taking everything I have learned and creating my purest vision.
I love the mention of “short song” in Cadence to the Flame because as I was listening to the album, I thought (with the exception of Lavender) this is folk sound in punk-size songs. How intentional is the length of a song?
All of the songs are the length that they need to be. I’ve always loved the feeling of listening to a short song and the song being over and that feeling of longing for that song to continue forever. I’ve played the songs over and over again in my room and there was always a certain point where I felt like it had to stop and be that length. I never want the songs to overstay their welcome, more the opposite, I want it to feel abrupt yet satisfying.
There’s a line in State of Being that I just love – come gently into my heart I trust you won’t damage any of the furniture. Can you talk about the song? It seems to celebrate the everyday joy of love.
That lyric is supposed to represent the acceptance of the possibility of being broken. Love is such an amazing thing but it is incredibly terrifying to open yourself up to someone and have the possibility of it being taken advantage of or hurt. You always have the chance for your heart to be broken but in that possibility, you also have the chance to experience life everlasting in the love of someone else.
The tenderness of Banjo Song draws me back to it. I don’t usually associate the banjo with such a soft and gentle sound. What inspired you to make the banjo so ethereal and light?
I love experimenting with instruments not common in a lot of people’s musical lexicon. This album features mandolin, ukelele, banjo, harp, and so much more especially in some different ethnic tones like in State of Being and Humid Rain for some examples. I wanted to make a banjo song out of inspiration from Gregory Alan Isakov’s song Living Proof which features just the most tender banjo that adds so much in my opinion. Just because banjo is associated with a certain genre and sound doesn’t mean you can change it up a little!
Please tell us about the release and release show coming up.
Cadence to the Flame is an amalgamation of friends and sounds that all have come together to make an album that represents my most emotional feelings. It is to captivate solemn souls and provide solace in a fast and confusing world. On June 15th at Bryant Lake Bowl and Theater, we have the release show. Doors open at 9:30 pm and music starts at 10 pm and up until just before midnight. Playing with me is Sam Hovda on piano and trumpet, Owen Reinert Nash on bass and percussion, and maybe some special guests will come up and play who knows!
Bonus question: are you still bowling and arm wrestling? And still doing amazingly with them?
Yes! I had a recent arm wrestling tournament in Iowa and am now ranked top 20 in the USA in my weight class! I am also participating in this year’s college bowling team for my university! Still doing well in school being on the dean’s list for my good grades as I approach obtaining my bachelor of science in Psychology and my minor in Political Science.
Mostly Minnesota 