Not your typical musician!
a sizzling blend of folk rock funk groove jazz and everything in between

Ask Ken Selcer why it is that he plays music, and he's likely to respond as though he was on stage. Without missing a beat, he become's electric. He speaks of defying categories, breaking down barriers and fusing idioms and cultures. Of his live performances (whether solo or with his band) he says, "It's as though someone keeps changing the channel."

Indeed, Ken weaves a masterful, fluid thread through genre after genre in his riveting live performances with his band The Knuckles (and in his solo performances). The group traverses the musical map with infectious melodies and unstoppable rhythms. They sooth the spirit, rock the house and melt into a seductive, bluesy groove. It's a unique uplifting sound that comes through both live and on disc! It's an uplifting and transcendent romp through style after style.

Ken is at equally at home on solo acoustic guitar as he is with a band. He has performed everywhere as a solo singer/songwriter honing his songs and solo performing on the vital New England acoustic scene. He has also led bands(Shazam, String Bean and now The Knuckles) from duos to 6 pieces led by his mesmerizing guitar & intimate vocals. Whatever the musical situation he paints sparkling vignettes and visions exploring life's complexities and wonders. He is presently working on material for a new cd. Selcer is a Berklee College of Music alumnae who owns and runs Selcer Sound and Graphics, a full service music sound and graphics company, has done professional sound at area clubs and art centers, taught music, set-up venues and promoted them, and has been a DJ.

Ken performs solo and with band performing songs from his CD, Breaking the Glass and his upcoming CD. After years of performing solo and with band (and with Somebody's Sister - Ken's old band with Jll Stein - and their CDs, Flashpoint, Somebody's Sister, Green Sky, & Circuits to the Sun) he has secured a loyal fan base and a solid spot on the New England folk rock circuit. Past venues have included Harper's Ferry, The Falcon Ridge Folk Festival(1993 co-winner of the Artist's Showcase), 31 Main, The Colonial Inn, The Burren, Ryles, Club Passim, Johnny D's, Yankee Homecoming Festival, Foxboro Stadium-Earth Day, The House of Blues, The Middle East, All Asia, The Midway, Sally O'Brien's, Lynn Woods Bluegrass Festival, Worcester First Night, HMV stage, The Plough and Stars, The Asgard, The Hard Rock Cafe - - not to mention just about every coffeehouse and venue in the Boston area! And he's shared the stage with some impressive characters including, Entrain, Greg Brown, Catie Curtis, Greg Greenway, Laurie Sargent, David Mallett, Sam Hooper, Merrie Amsterburg, Joel Cage & Laurie Geltman among others. Somebody's Sister, were a semi-finalist in national publication MUSICIAN MAGAZINE's best unsigned bands of 1996 & 1998.

“Through candid storytelling and inspired guitar play, Ken Selcer delivers a stimulating mind-body listening experience with Breaking the Glass. Engaging tales of relationship pain, frustration, hope and desire will provoke listeners to revisit thoughts of their own relationships. Listeners will not, however, find themselves stewing in self-reflection for very long as Selcer's lively guitar licks send them truckin' on down the road to relationship renewal.” - Dennis Carlan, Lyric Tree Publishing

"Also in the artist putting out his own material category is Boston-based KEN SELCER, with “Breaking the Glass” (kenselcer.com). Put together with love and I'm sure bucks from his own pocket, guitarist/writer/singer Ken (with friends doing backup vocals and instruments). Each original song has a distinct style, from straight singer-songwriter to pop to rock to even funk (with a touch of rap in Blondie/”Rapture” mode). My only real grumble is that the songs are a bit long, averaging 5 minutes each, but the musicianship holds up with his nimble guitar playing. Using the studio wisely, Ken walks the walk successfully of using various effects without overdoing or overproducing, which shows he knows how to listen to the engineer and/or producer without his ego getting in the way. Even when Ken's voice is a bit vanilla at times, it's is a matter of the listener's taste more than the singer's talent, but there is no question it's worth a try." on-line review by Robert Barry Francos

Ken is and has been very active in the political and activism realms. Not only is he the Treasurer for political committees and non-profits(Massachusetts Coalition for Healthy Community - based in Lexington, MA) but has found ways to bring his music into these worlds. Going back years he has partnered with Jill Stein in presenting music that supports causes and political change performing everywhere from Foxboro Stadium and The Esplande on Earth days with The Kids Earth Chorus to the Kennedy Library and many schools. They have 3 kids albums with The Kids Earth Chorus and won a couple of Multi-Cultural awards from the Board of Education. This socially conscious strain runs through much of Ken's music especially with Jill Stein (Jill is running for Governor of Mass. in 2010 and Ken is the Treasurer, web and graphics person). Listen to samples of this music here. Ken helped produce this music, played guitar and his vision of the world includes this perspective. And, over the years some of this political consciousness has seeped into songwriting (Trouble in Paradise is one of those songs). Ken has played Benefit after Benefit bringing his talents to help bring about and help support social change. See quote below.

Jill Stein with Jeff Lowe, Ken Selcer, Mike Migliozz(hidden) and Rich Caloggero - Brookline Climate Action Day, Brookline, MA June 2007

"Somebody's Sister - Their songs are great, their voices magnificent and their music is philosophically uplifting, thoroughly enjoyable and fantastically crafted. I keep playing their 4 CD's, Flashpoint, Somebody's Sister, Green Sky and Circuits to the Sun and with each time a new layer of beauty manifests itself. Definitely in the 'must have, must listen' category!!!" - Stavros Moschopoulos - United Nations FAO CASA

"Clear songwriting and a loose, spirited feel have made this album the victim of my 'replay' button. Somebody's Sister is something else!" - Vance Gilbert, recording artist

"The music of Somebody's Sister will send shivers down your spine and fill your soul with joy. Jill's voice can only be described as intoxicating, and Ken's lead guitar playing adds to each song sheer beauty....It doesn't get any better than this folks." - Driftwood Coffeehouse, Hyannis, MA. "Their rich harmonies.....and smart, politically aware songwriting make them one of the area's most likely to succeed acts." - The Worcester Phoenix

"Absolutely one of the best CDs we've heard in a long time." - Worcester Magazine

"....They really know how to wake people up and get them dancing!" - WERS-FM, Boston.

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