I arrived in San Diego in August, 1999. I had no previous knowledge of the music scene here and while exploring The Reader, I found numerous club calendars listing The Eve Selis Band. Based on nothing more scientific than that, I attended one of their shows at Humphrey’s Back Stage Lounge.

This was my first exposure to the San Diego music scene and I was hooked. As I watched them perform all evening, all I could think was why isn’t this band famous? Why have they not made it to the big time? Well…here it is twenty years later, I am still a fan and I am still wondering why it hasn’t happened for them. The Eve Selis Band is one of the finest in San Diego. Great musicians, heartfelt lyrics on their original songs, and some of the sweetest harmonies you will find.

The Eve Selis Band is composed of these stellar musicians:

Eve Selis, vocals and guitar

Marc Intravaia, vocals and guitar

Jim Soldi, vocals and Guitar

Sharon Whyte, vocals and keys

Rick Nash, Bass guitar

Larry Grano, vocals and drums

Born in Deming New Mexico, Eve and her family moved to San Diego two weeks later. After a two year stay, they moved to St. Louis for a year and then back again to San Diego. Eve is one of eight children. Eve’s sister Lee was the first one to learn an instrument and while Eve was still under ten years old, they would sing folk music around the house and give family concerts. That is when Eve decided she wanted to be a singer. For many years, singing took a back seat to her academic sports.

Most of Eve’s teenage years were spent in disco clubs that were set up for under age crowds and that music was a large influence on her. Eve always thought she would be a good bass guitar player as she can feel the groove in the songs. During high school Eve sang all the time, driving her friends and family crazy. The music has always been in her just trying to break out.

Eve always wanted to write her own songs, but in those early years she didn’t really have a focus on what she wanted to say. Twenty-eight years ago she met Marc Intravaia, and they have been writing songs and performing together ever since. In 2000 Eve made her first trip to Nashville and over the ensuing years has written music with some very talented songwriters from Nashville and now has come into her own, writing her own songs and rediscovering herself through her music. Eve wants to continue to write songs that have meaning to her and something to say to everyone else. Eve writes her music for her audience. She feels that “Music gives people permission to feel emotions.”

Touring in England is one of the highlights of her career and she returns there frequently. She has received the Jim Croce Musical Excellence Award and that is another important milestone in her career. Going through some difficult times recently has given her focus on sharing her music and thoughts with others. If there is a message now in her music it is ”Choose Love.” Eve hopes that when people come to see her shows or listen to her music they are able to connect with what is happening in their own lives through her songs.

Plans for 2019 include returning to England for another tour, more writing trips to Nashville and branching out into some other projects as well as continuing to perform with her band. She also would like to open for U2 so … Bono if you are reading this, reach out to Eve.

Eve has one of those special shows coming up as part of BHST which is Berkley Hart Selis Twang on Saturday January 12, 2019. So if you are into great songwriting and harmonies, you can purchase tickets at New Village Arts and watch their video.

You can also follow Eve on facebook, Instagram and patreon.