SDW releases Renascent, gets 95X and Syracuse.com features by Ulf Oesterle

Three weeks after Thoughts & Prayers dropped, Stephen Douglas Wolfe releases Renascent to all streaming platforms. Find the song on Apple Music and Spotify or use it for TikTok here. Wolfe describes the track as “a deeply personal song about a traumatic event that could only be overcome by facing it head on.” He does just this with the release of one his most vulnerable songs released to date.

Prior to the release, Stephen Douglas Wolfe had the opportunity to debut the song to radio live at 95X with Marty & Shannon. Renascent was first played live at 95X Locals Only Fest.

Thoughts & Prayers, another heavy song in terms of song substance, was featured by Syracuse.com on their Syracuse playlist on Spotify. You can explore the artists on the playlist or read about them on Syracuse.com.

Thoughts & Prayers by Ulf Oesterle

Nearly 5 years since his last release, Stephen Douglas Wolfe Stephen Douglas Wolfe has music to share. Stephen Douglas Wolfe, a singer-songwriter that delivers songs that fill the space between Americana and indie rock, is set to reissue Thoughts & Prayers. The song originally recorded in one take directly to 2” tape at SubCat Studios, was meant to be a commentary on gun violence that impacted Syracuse but sadly has been applicable to the entire country.

At the time of the original release, Stephen wrote:

When I awoke on Friday, July 8, 2016 to the news of yet another instance of senseless violence, I knew that I had to finish it as soon as possible and allow my voice to be heard. I spent the following Monday night recording a demo at my friend Mike Frisina's home studio and rushed to release that on Soundcloud for streaming the next morning. Then on Friday the 15th [of 2016], I set up shop at SubCat studios with my good friend Jeremy Johnston (www.jeremydanieljohnston.com), a brilliant intern with some great analog experience named Brian (sorry, I never got your last name), and a 2-track tape machine. Together we tracked a simple and heartfelt version of the tune straight to tape; Brian ran the machine, Jeremy automated the preamps live and on the fly, and I provided the music. I felt like a thousand voices were speaking through me while I played this take and the three of us worked as one to make what I am proud to say that I believe is a beautiful document of my own thoughts about the current state of affairs.

Thousands of voices should still be speaking in this country that are now silenced. According to the Gun Violence Archive, there have been over 122,000 gun violence deaths (homicide, murder, unintentional deaths; note that these figures do not include suicide) from 2016-2022. (Source: https://www.gunviolencearchive.org/past-tolls) Thoughts & Prayers is as relevant today as when it was written.

Thoughts & Prayers was originally released July 15, 2016 but remained on Apple Music and Spotify for only one year. The song returns July 14, 2023 to all streaming services. 
Follow Stephen Douglas Wolfe on Apple Music or Spotify to be sure you are notified of all future releases.

Thoughts & Prayers

Look at your surroundings; 
Search for the light and the love in the things you see. 
Do you feel like you've been drowning? 
Are you gasping for air in the form of some empathy? 


It seems in short supply these days, 
Like everyone's looking out only for number one. 
But we're all the same in many ways. 
Let us not fall in traps and succumb to the apathy. 


We can stand together; Allow the space between to fade. 
If not now, then never. 
We'll let the anger drift away. 


Too often are we called upon 
To mourn for the loss and the lives of the innocent. 
If thoughts and prayers are all we've got, 
Then we've handed our weapons of peace to the government. 


We can stand together; Allow the space between to fade. 
If not now, then never. 
We'll let the anger drift away.

About Stephen Douglas Wolfe

Stephen Douglas Wolfe wants to reintroduce himself. After calling Lawrence, Kansas home, playing in propulsive indie rock bands while touring the country, Stephen moved to New York City and then found himself drifting to upstate New York as a solo artist. As a songwriter, SDW was prolific while playing through the northeast from 2016 through 2019 and releasing music regularly.

As live events were paused for several years, Wolfe returned to his studio crafting songs that are soon to become part of his first full-length record under his name. The album, titled Renascent, is a fitting descriptor for an artist looking to remind people of his storytelling via song after a few years away from the stage and a gap of five years releasing music. The initial live events have established that as a performer, Stephen Douglas Wolfe is as polished as ever and the new record is poised to fill a space between indie rock and Americana.

Discography

Thoughts & Prayers, Single — July 14, 2023
Quixotic Symphony, EP — October 26, 2018
Exhale, Single — October 6, 2017
Self-Titled, EP — November 18, 2016
7” Vinyl Record Series
We’ll Live — March 25, 2016
Window — June 16, 2016
The Animals — November 18, 2016

Down But Not Out by Ulf Oesterle

After years of hiatus, I am thrilled to champion the return of Aux Records + Management! It's been a long and winding journey over the last 20 years, but today, we stand at the precipice of a new era. This post serves as a testament to the power of perseverance, the allure of music, and the unwavering spirit that drives us to succeed when we have no other option.

Aux started in 2003 with $6,000 of student loan money fueled by our love for music and the desire to nurture talent. We wanted to be a stepping stone for artists, helping them shape their careers, and releasing music that we all resonate with into the world. Over the last few years I spent most of my time focused on teaching at Syracuse University and releases were temporarily put on hold. But true passion never fades away; it simmers patiently, waiting for the right moment to reignite. The spark is back.

During our time away, we reflected on our past successes and challenges, gaining valuable insights that would shape our next chapter. We took a fresh look at the ever-evolving music landscape, analyzing trends and innovations, and are looking to chart a course to navigate this dynamic industry. Our aim is not just to restart but to reinvent, to create an environment where artists thrive and their music resonates with audiences.

Restarting a venture after a slow few years is no small feat. Doubts and uncertainties can creep in, threatening to overshadow the enthusiasm that propels us forward. Yet, it is during such moments of uncertainty that resilience shines through. We bet on ourselves as there are no other options. One of the most significant aspects of reviving our record label and artist management company was reconnecting with our artists and collaborators. We reached out to past talent, sharing our vision for the future and rekindling the fire that once burned brightly. Building trust and fostering strong relationships became our priority, as we knew that the success of our artists is intertwined with our own. Our first project is with Stephen Douglas Wolfe whom we worked with for several years, 5 to 7 years ago. Two singles and a full-length album are in the works.

One of the guiding principles that define our revived record label and artist management company is our unwavering commitment to creative freedom. We understand that artists thrive when they are given the space to express themselves authentically. Our role is not to mold artists into preconceived notions but to provide them with the tools, support, and guidance they need to cultivate their unique artistic identities. Music is a collaborative art form that flourishes when diverse talents unite. Recognizing this, we want to foster an environment that encourages collaboration, allowing artists to push their boundaries and create music that is timeless.

As we embark on this new chapter, our spirits are brimming with optimism and hope. The music industry is a constant source of inspiration, and has been an aspect of my entire adult life. It’s what I know and it’s all I know. It’s been a number of years since Aux was referenced by anyone but I reflect back to the early days when people didn’t know how to pronounce the label name. Questions were constant asking if it’s pronounced “Awks” or “Oh” Records? I was fine with either because people were talking. Nobody is talking now so it’s time to reintroduce ourselves.