Chelsea Joy Wolfe is an American singer-songwriter known for her unique blend of musical styles, including gothic rock, doom metal, and folk. Her work is characterized by a haunting and atmospheric sound, which has garnered a dedicated fan base. Wolfe's music often explores themes of darkness, melancholy, and introspection, making it resonate deeply with listeners who appreciate the fusion of heavy and ethereal elements. Over the years, she has released several critically acclaimed albums that showcase her distinctive voice and innovative approach to genre-blending, solidifying her position as a prominent figure in the contemporary music scene.
Chelsea Wolfe used a 1979 Gibson ES-335 during her musical career.
Chelsea Joy Wolfe was born on November 14, 1983, in the United States. She would go on to become a well-known American singer-songwriter and musician, known for her unique blend of gothic rock, doom metal, and folk in her music.
In 2006, Chelsea Wolfe composed an album titled Mistake in Parting, though it was never officially released. Wolfe described it as a personal, over-produced album that led her to take a break from music to find a new perspective.
In 2010, Chelsea Wolfe released her first widely known album, The Grime and the Glow. This album marked the beginning of her recognition in the music industry, blending gothic and folk elements.
Apokalypsis, released in 2011, gained Chelsea Wolfe an underground following and received critical acclaim. The album was notable for its blend of gothic and folk elements, further establishing Wolfe's distinctive style.
In 2011, Chelsea Wolfe began working with costume designer Jenni Hensler to develop her visual image.
On July 28, 2012, Chelsea Wolfe premiered the single "The Way We Used To" on NPR, showcasing her evolving musical style and acoustic sound featured in her upcoming album.
On September 28, 2012, Chelsea Wolfe released a live album titled Live at Roadburn, recorded at the Roadburn Festival in the Netherlands earlier that year, capturing her dynamic live performances.
On October 16, 2012, Chelsea Wolfe released her album Unknown Rooms: A Collection of Acoustic Songs, highlighting a more folk-oriented sound and marking a departure from her earlier electric and distorted style.
In 2012, Chelsea Wolfe covered five songs by the British anarcho-punk band Rudimentary Peni, releasing them as A Tribute To Rudimentary Peni as a free download, showcasing her versatility and appreciation for punk influences.
In January 2013, Chelsea Wolfe released the EP Prayer for the Unborn, which included re-recorded versions of Rudimentary Peni songs, further expanding her discography with a unique tribute project.
On September 3, 2013, Chelsea Wolfe released her fourth studio album, Pain Is Beauty, accompanied by an album trailer and followed by a North American tour, establishing her presence in the music scene.
In October 2013, Chelsea Wolfe contributed guest vocals to the American post-metal band Russian Circles' fifth studio album, Memorial, showcasing her collaborative efforts and expanding her influence in the metal genre.
Chelsea Wolfe released the album Pain Is Beauty in 2013, continuing her exploration of neofolk, electronic music, and heavy metal. This album marked another evolution in her musical style.
On May 31, 2014, Chelsea Wolfe released a live EP titled Chelsea Wolfe Folkadelphia Session, featuring her performance recorded at Folkadelphia, highlighting her acoustic and folk influences.
Chelsea Wolfe used a 2014 Gibson ES-335 during her musical career and while recording the "Hiss Spun" album.
In 2014, Chelsea Wolfe released a long-form film titled Lone, directed by Mark Pellington and featuring music from her album Pain Is Beauty, showcasing her artistic versatility and storytelling through film.
On September 24, 2015, Chelsea Wolfe publicly recanted her previously stated affinity for Ayn Rand.
Abyss was released in 2015, featuring Chelsea Wolfe's exploration of neofolk and electronic music while embracing more of her heavy metal influences. The album included singles such as "Carrion Flowers" and "Iron Moon".
In 2015, Chelsea Wolfe released her fourth studio album, Abyss, which saw her exploring neofolk and electronic music while embracing heavy metal influences, marking another evolution in her musical style.
On April 1, 2016, Chelsea Wolfe released a non-album 7-inch single titled "Hypnos," accompanied by a music video released on March 22, demonstrating her continuous creative output.
In April 2016, Wolfe and bandmate Ben Chisholm joined Converge as special guests for the "Blood Moon" collaborative live performances, featuring ambient/post-rock interpretations of Converge's music.
In 2016, Chelsea Wolfe and Converge performed a set at the Roadburn Festival under the moniker Blood Moon, which later inspired their collaborative album Bloodmoon: I released in 2021.
In January 2017, Chelsea Wolfe announced an upcoming UK and European tour set to begin in April, highlighting her international presence and commitment to live performances.
Chelsea Wolfe released her fifth studio album, Hiss Spun, on September 22, 2017. The album featured contributions from members of Queens of the Stone Age and other notable musicians, further establishing her presence in the music industry.
Chelsea Wolfe's album Hiss Spun was released on September 22, 2017. This marked another significant point in her career, featuring collaborations with notable musicians and further defining her style.
In 2017, Chelsea Wolfe praised her 2014 Gibson ES-335, describing it as "the best guitar I’ve ever had."
In 2018, Chelsea Wolfe appeared in collaborations on the Myrkur album Mareridt and the Deafheaven album Ordinary Corrupt Human Love, expanding her influence and demonstrating her versatility as an artist.
In March 2019, Chelsea Wolfe announced that she was recording a largely acoustic album in Northern California, inspired by current events. The album was co-produced by Ben Chisholm and featured guest musicians.
On June 18, 2019, Chelsea Wolfe announced her upcoming sixth studio album, Birth of Violence, and released its first single, "The Mother Road," marking her return to acoustic sounds.
Chelsea Wolfe released her sixth studio album, Birth of Violence, on September 13, 2019, featuring a largely acoustic sound and inspired by current events, marking a new phase in her musical journey.
In 2019, Chelsea Wolfe released her sixth studio album, Birth of Violence, which was largely acoustic. The album was inspired by current events and recorded in Northern California, featuring the single "The Mother Road."
On May 14, 2020, Wolfe and Jess Gowrie announced their collaborative project, Mrs. Piss, and their debut album, "Self-Surgery".
On May 29, 2020, Mrs. Piss released their debut album, "Self-Surgery".
In January 2021, Chelsea Wolfe chose to get sober and collaborated with Emma Ruth Rundle for the single "Anhedonia," released digitally, marking a significant personal and professional milestone.
In March 2021, Chelsea Wolfe collaborated with Xiu Xiu to cover "One Hundred Years" by The Cure for Xiu Xiu's duets album Oh No, demonstrating her ability to reinterpret classic songs.
On May 26, 2021, Chelsea Wolfe and her bandmates collaborated with Tyler Bates to release "Diana" as part of the Dark Nights: Death Metal soundtrack, expanding her contributions to multimedia projects.
On September 21, 2021, Chelsea Wolfe released the B-Side of her album Birth of Violence, including the track "Green Altar" and a Joni Mitchell cover, alongside a documentary of her 2019 tour.
On September 28, 2021, Converge announced a new collaboration with Chelsea Wolfe for their upcoming album, "Bloodmoon: I".
On November 19, 2021, Converge released "Bloodmoon: I", featuring a collaboration with Chelsea Wolfe.
On November 19, 2021, Chelsea Wolfe released the collaborative album Bloodmoon: I with metalcore band Converge, further showcasing her collaborative spirit and diversity in music.
In 2021, Chelsea Wolfe collaborated with the band Converge on the album Bloodmoon: I, showcasing her ability to work across genres and with other artists.
In March 2022, Wolfe's soundtrack album for the film "X" was announced, featuring a collaboration with composer Tyler Bates.
In 2022, Chelsea Wolfe collaborated with composer Tyler Bates on the soundtrack for the film X, further expanding her contributions to the music industry beyond her solo work.
On September 20, 2023, Chelsea Wolfe signed with Loma Vista Recordings and released her debut single with the label, "Dusk".
Chelsea Wolfe's seventh studio album, "She Reaches Out to She Reaches Out to She", was released on February 9, 2024, and was followed by a tour with appearances at European festivals.
Chelsea Wolfe's planned album She Reaches Out to She Reaches Out to She is set for release in 2024, continuing her evolution as an artist.