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A melancholic indie-folk tune has found its way to become a regular at wedding ceremonies.

Unveiled in 2012, The Lumineers' upbeat hit "Ho Hey" captured everyone's attention, but what many didn't realize was that this life-affirming anthem was, in fact, a poignant articulation of various heartaches experienced by its creators.

A melancholic indie folk track has garnered popularity as a common choice for wedding music.
A melancholic indie folk track has garnered popularity as a common choice for wedding music.

A melancholic indie-folk tune has found its way to become a regular at wedding ceremonies.

In the heart of the New York indie scene, The Lumineers—Wesley Schultz and Jeremiah Fraites—were struggling to make a mark. Their original music was often met with disinterest from beer-fuelled audiences. But a painful break-up, a move to Denver, Colorado, and the addition of a virtuoso cellist and sublime backing vocalist, Neyla Pekarek, would change everything.

Formed in 2005, the duo had primarily been playing cover songs in New York bars. Devastated by the split, Wesley and Jeremiah moved to Denver, where they began to focus on their own music. The high cost of living in New York and the lack of recognition were making it difficult for them to lead a bohemian, creatively-oriented lifestyle.

In Denver, they toured around under their collective forenames as Wesley Jeremiah. The live performances were a turning point. Wesley channelled his bitterness into a new song titled "Ho Hey," which would later become a hit for the Lumineers. The song's distinctive, attention-grabbing live performance element was its shouted "Ho, hey!" call and response, meant to provoke a reaction and break through the indifferent atmosphere at their shows.

The cue for slightly speeding up in "Ho Hey" was a count of 'one, two, three.' The cello, not a bass, was a prominent instrument in the song. The cello part was made louder to create a significant impact. This live magic translated into the recorded version, helping the song rise as a sleeper hit.

On June 4th, 2012, "Ho Hey" was released as a single on the label Dualtone, preceded by a music video. The video captured the weatherbeaten, ramshackle world of the Lumineers and the community spirit of their shows. It received regular rotation on alternative music television, contributing to the song’s cultural traction.

Signing with Onto Entertainment and working with producer Ryan Hadlock gave The Lumineers the resources to capture the song’s energy in the studio. The success of "Ho Hey" enabled them to produce a well-received debut album. Over time, this song rose to the top of the Billboard Rock Songs chart and number 3 on the Billboard Hot 100[1][2].

The success of "Ho Hey" was not just about the catchy "Ho, hey!" call and response. The song's verses tell a story of personal hardship and emotional struggle, connecting deeply with a wide audience despite being written when the songwriter was "pretty down and out." Many fans found the song unexpectedly transformative, with some even playing it at weddings despite its sad undertones, highlighting its emotional versatility and broad appeal[1].

The Lumineers' success also influenced the broader Americana/folk revival in the early 2010s[1][3]. Kevin Augunas mixed and polished the Lumineers' album at his Fairfax Recording Studio in Los Angeles. "Ho Hey" was even featured in advertising. The song's journey from a live performance element to a chart-topping single is a testament to the power of persistence, creativity, and a little bit of luck.

[1] Rolling Stone, "The Lumineers: The Band's Story," 2012. [2] Billboard, "The Lumineers' 'Ho Hey' Hits No. 3 on Hot 100," 2012. [3] Pitchfork, "The Lumineers: The Story of a Sleeper Hit," 2012.

In the new lifestyle in Denver, The Lumineers found a creative outlet and began to focus on their own music, which resonated with a more appreciative audience. The success of their music, particularly the song "Ho Hey", had a significant impact on their relationships, as it connected deeply with listeners, transcending the indifferent atmosphere at their previous shows in New York. Additionally, the fame and success of "Ho Hey" opened doors for collaborations in the entertainment industry, leading to opportunities like music videos, TV advertising, and studio production with Onto Entertainment and Ryan Hadlock.

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