Long considered San Diego’s Queen of Americana, singer Eve Selis is no longer one of San Diego’s best-kept secrets. Over the past few years, Selis has begun to build a significant European following for her music, with major BBC radio airplay and several successful tours to her credit. Much more is on the horizon.
On May 31, Selis celebrates the release of her sixth album, “Angels & Eagles,” with a CD release show at the Museum of Contemporary Art’s Sherwood Auditorium, kicking off a round of touring which will take Selis and her band to England and Norway.
For Selis, music has been a lifelong passion.
“When I was about 8 or 9 years old, during a family living room concert, I heard my grandmother whisper to my father that I had a good voice,” she recalled. “I believed her and took up piano and guitar (though) I am just barely able to play.”
Selis began performing on local stages as a teenager with a group called Gyros before moving on to a stint fronting cover bands, including Notice to Appear and The Heroes. In the mid-’90s she shifted to playing original music, forming Kings Road, with the band changing its name to hers in 1998. Their debut album, “Out on a Wire,” followed later that same year.
While “Angels & Eagles” continues Selis’ excellent mix of roadhouse rock, country and folk influences, the album had a major shift in its creation.
“This is the first CD that the band has been a part of producing,” Selis said. “Our last two releases were recorded and produced in Nashville with Kim McLean. This time we decided to stay in San Diego to record and invite the band on as producers.”
McLean instead came to San Diego, joining Alan Sanderson as co-producer. Another big change was in the recording’s funding. Eschewing traditional means, she went to her fans, sending out an e-mail asking for donations to help record the album. With each donation level came different perks, culminating in the largest donors getting to record a singing part on the CD.
“It’s an amazing album,” Sanderson said.
Having worked with everyone from Burt Bacharach to The Rolling Stones, he considers “Angels & Eagles” a favorite proj-ect.
“Everybody plays great and there was a really good atmosphere at those sessions,” he said. “But what really makes an album is the songs, and this disc is full of music that makes you want to listen.”
The contributions from fans must be considered some sort of karmic return for Selis and her band’s tireless work hosting benefit concerts for numerous causes, including local wildfire victims.
“I have always felt strongly about giving back to our community,” she remarked. “If I had millions to donate to the charities I support, I would. Since I don’t have those kind of resources, giving of my time and music is the next best thing. If it helps to bring awareness to a cause and gets people out to support an event, then I feel like I have done something good.”
Selis, a mother of four, considers finding the right balance of a music career and a family to be crucial to her success.
“Singing and playing music is such a huge part of who I am that it’s woven into the everyday of my life,” she said. “It’s just what mommy does for a living.”
She concedes that touring can be extremely difficult, however.
“I’ve never liked being on the road for too long because I want to be home with my family,” Selis commented. “The other option is bringing (the kids) with me, but that’s very expensive and it’s hard to stay focused on work when they are there.”
Despite the hard work, Selis is thrilled to still be making music after two decades.
“I love singing and performing with my band,” she said. “And as an indie artist, I am in complete control of my career. (But) sometimes I ask myself why I am still doing this. And the answer comes quickly every time: I can’t live without it. “
Eve Selis performs at 8 p.m. in MCASD’s Sherwood Auditorium, 700 Prospect St., on Saturday, May 31. All ages will be admitted. For more information, visit www.eveselis.com.