From the west coast of America, Eve Selis has been impressing audiences from Hollywood to New York and many places in between with her powerful and distinctive vocals. But it's not just audiences this lady has had an effect on she has received excellent reviews for all her albums. Eve is not only a writer and performer but is also committed to helping less fortunate people and supports various charities including one for battered women and abused children. Not only that but she is a wife and mother and has great support from her family. She has been regularly visiting the UK since 2003 playing to enthusiastic audiences. In fact none other than Bob Harris said "One of the best shows I've seen in the UK". Apart from an excellent stage shows she is truly lovely person and genuinely interested in her fans.

Eve took time out her busy schedule to speak to C.M.F.

CMF:- October 2003, and my first recollection of you was sitting, with Marc, just inside the door of the Musician in Leicester. Can you recall what your thoughts were on that first trip to the UK and how did you think the British audience would react to you and your music?
EVE:- I had no idea how we'd go over... all I knew was that I was going to England for the first time in my life and I was thrilled just to be there! It was almost more of a vacation because I wanted to be a tourist just as much as I wanted to be accepted musically! It was all so new and very exciting and when 3 gigs fell through I wasn't that sad as I wanted to explore the country and maybe see a castle or two!

CMF:- Now let’s go further back in time. I think it’s fair to say that you probably seriously became involved with the music in your mid/late 20’s but had you always had a love of music even from being a child?
EVE:- My mom tells me I used to sing in my crib. All my life music has had an energy and positive affect on me. I sang in school and in church and on the playground and I drove my family & friends crazy! I told anyone who'd listen I was going to grow up and be a famous singer... and here I am "Nearly Famous" and still singing!

CMF:- The meeting with Marc was what really ignited your musical flame. I believe you met on a plane to Spain and he overheard you singing to yourself. Were you embarrassed and did you both hit it off straightaway?
EVE:- Actually, Marc and I knew each other in San Diego through the music scene. We were acquaintances really and only knew each other as fellow musicians. We lost touch of each other for years and met back up in a band going over to Europe for 2 months. The truth is he remembers me as a shouter in an '80's rock band and didn't really ever hear me sing until we were in Spain. We had only arrived the day before (17 hour flight) done a gig, slept on cots on the stage and had to leave the next morning at 5:00am for our next gig! I was singing to myself on the 6 hour bus ride and that was when really heard me sing and loved my voice.

CMF:- It wasn’t long before Marc formed ‘Kings Road’ which you fronted until 1998, when a decision was made for you to go ‘solo’ but during that period you briefly had success with the first album release, in 1994, with a great review in Billboard magazine but unfortunately the label soon folded. That must have been somewhat disheartening?
EVE:- It was a good lesson to learn early on. Just because you get signed and a CD is released doesn't mean you've made it! We were so sure things would take off and then the label folded... what are you going to do? I guess we learned that after you are signed and have a CD released... that's when the hard work starts. 

CMF:- Why was the decision made to go ‘solo’ and was the closure of the label a contributory factor?
EVE:- We had label interest in Nashville, so we flew out for a week of meetings and showcases and actually were offered another deal that never went past the verbal agreement. At that point we figured people had seen us as Kings Road and as you know in this business you usually only get one shot so we changed the name to my name and essentially kept the same band together and recorded Out On A Wire.

CMF:- It can’t be easy as an independent artist as, without the benefit of a major label and all their resources, it’s presumably much harder to get the exposure, promotion, airplay etc. However, you have tackled this with great success through hard work and utilising the technology of the Internet haven’t you?
EVE:- Yes, in my opinion, the Internet is the future of the Music Industry. It gives you worldwide exposure without having to pay a huge fee to a publicist and opens up so many more opportunities of like-minded Indie artists. We had huge success with MP3.com garnering over 2 million down loads something that is even heard to do today on myspace.com or other music sites. I'm very lucky to have a husband who is computer savvy as well as a graphic artist so he was able to let me know early on how important this media would be. No one cares about your music or your success as much as you do. and since you are working for yourself you get as much out of it as you put into it. Hard work always pays off!

CMF:- Your independence goes further though than just self-promotion as the majority of the songs you record are also written or co-written by you. Have you always written or, is it since meeting up with Marc?
EVE:- I tried writing early on in my music career and didn't have much luck. I decided, well we can't all be playwrights... some of us have to just be players. But when Marc and I wrote together, we had such a special connection we knew it was something worth pursuing. And here we are, 15 years later, still writing songs together!

CMF:- Song writing has always fascinated me for various reasons. Where do you get ideas and inspiration from for the songs? Do you prefer to write alone or with someone else? When you co-write, do you write the words or music or, is it a combined effort? Is there a set pattern to a period when you decide to write?
EVE:- Ideas come from everywhere. The universe, your own life, your friends life the news...everywhere. I can't write alone as I am not a very good musician. I only know about 5 chords and it's extremely limiting. Marc has such a beautiful way of phrasing and choosing chords that I can always hear melodies in his playing. Sometimes it's the music first or the song idea first or a little bit of both and we just build it from there. Our strong point is melody and we usually try to hook up with a lyricist like Kim McLean or Doug Crider who have such a unique ability to say something simple and poignant but not expected or the same old way.

CMF:- Apart from Marc, you’ve also written with other songwriters like Doug Crider and Kim McClean. What was that experience like?
EVE:- Extremely fun and eye opening. Both Kim and Doug have been writing songs for a living for so many years that they have the entire process down. Sometimes you are just hanging on for the ride. It's always collaborative, but when you work with people who are better then you are, it forces you to step up and get better too.

CMF:- Right, you’ve written loads of songs how do you decide what to include on an album? Do you look for a particular theme for the album or what?
EVE:- We usually write 12 songs and say OK it's time for a new CD. That being said on this new CD we are going about it with a different attitude. We want it to be the best CD yet and we are taking our time and living with tracks and writing new songs and recording other people’s songs as well. A CD will sometimes write it's own story as you go and the vibe and energy created become a theme or a vision and you just go with it. Sometimes you can just tell a song isn't going to make it because it doesn't fit into the sound of the rest of the CD... so you save it for later or a b-sides CD!

CMF:- Not only are you involved in all aspects of the albums from the writing through to the promotion but your husband, Tom, also gets involved doesn’t he?
EVE:- Yes, I am very lucky to have his full and complete support. As I said before, he does all my artwork, builds my websites, helps with promotion and reviews and tour manages... and he's super cute too!

CMF:- It must be difficult at times trying to combine your music together with being a wife and mother. How do you manage to combine the two particularly when you’re on the road?
EVE:- That is the hardest part. Being away from my family is very hard on all of us. But since I am an independent artist I can control how long I am away from home and we work together to get though it. The Internet and cell phones have really helped a lot... but nothing can compare to being there.

CMF:- What’s life like on the road?
EVE:- It's tiring and fun and crazy and unpredictable and fun and not glamorous at all and an adventure each time we go.

CMF:- When you’re not recording, writing or touring etc you are also involved with some charities and your daughter’s school aren’t you?
EVE:- Yes, I am very involved with raising funds for Breast Cancer research. I am also involved with many different charities and have a hard time saying no when I am approached. There is so much need out in this world and I am not a millionaire so if I can sing at a concert and help raise awareness or funds then I am all for it! My band is very supportive of me in this as well. My daughter goes to a performing arts school, and is very involved in theater. I am thrilled she wants to go that route as the music industry needs to change it's whole paradigm before it can truly be about the music and not the business. In theater, what you see is what you get!! Plus she's a much better singer than I am and she loves it so I am very supportive of that. Find work you love and you'll never work a day in your life! 

CMF:- Presumably, you do get some time to yourself and what do you like doing then?
EVE:- Sleep!! Watch old movies from the 30's-60's on TV. Take walks on the beach with my husband. Listen to life....

CMF:- You’ve received several awards, been featured in magazines, had good album reviews, written with top songwriters and record producers among other things. What is your proudest moment of your career so far and if there was something you could change or, do differently what would it be and why? EVE:- I am most proud of winning the Jim Croce Music award for excellence and dedication to music. If I knew now what I didn't know then, I am sooo stubborn I'd probably do it all the same... make all the same mistakes and still be here making music my way.

CMF:- So what’s the impetus that keeps you going?
EVE:- I love singing and performing and creating music!!

CMF:- What about the future? Have you started work on your next album and if so can you tell us about it and when it’s due for release? Presumably, you and the band will continue to bring your music to the UK?
EVE:- We will start our new CD this month but don't expect anything complete until June ore so. I want to live with this CD and be truly happy with every aspect before I let it go. Also, I am having a baby in May and that will take precedence. I will always tour England as long as you'll have me:0)

CMF:- Well Good Luck for the future and thanks Eve for your time and look forward to seeing and hearing you in February 2007
EVE:- See you soon! Love, Eve

For more information about Eve and her music then visit her website and for details of tour dates in the UK please visit the Tours page