Ken Stringfellow

I've been playing in bands for almost 30 years (and I'm still in my 30s). I came to be known first as the co-founder and guitarist of the Posies, a well-loved band from Seattle who have released 5 albums--3 were on Geffen Records, and we had several charting singles on alternative rock radio, including a semi-hit with the 1993 song "Dream All Day". Myself and the other guitarist Jon Auer wrote and sang all of the Posies material. During this time I also joined the legendary Memphis power-pop band Big Star for their first live shows in 20 years. I still perform with both groups today, and both groups have headlined clubs and festivals literally worldwide. Just last year, the Posies headlined a festival in Singapore, for example. Big Star released their first album in 30 years recently, I played on it and co wrote all the material.
In the late 90s I started engineering and producing records, including critically acclaimed albums for Damien Jurado, the Long Winters, Jill Sobule and more. I also joined the touring band of REM--with them I played headlining shows at the world's biggest festivals (Glastonbury, Rock in Rio, Live 8, etc) and did countless major TV appearances. I played on their last two albums as well. With them, i have played in the backing band for Neil Young, Patti Smith, and have played with Chris Martin, Thom Yorke, etc.

So, what do I do now? All of the above, plus I have made 3 critically acclaimed solo albums (all of which received 4 stars in Mojo) and have allowed me to tour in North America, Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia NZ.
I have collaborated with musicians from these places to make live shows, so though I usually play solo I also have put together bands for one-off shows. The music I make is direct, intensely emotional. In the live show I often go off the PA, and stand in among the audience members belting out songs (i have played to 2000 people at one show and was able to be heard). I keep things simple in terms of presentation, but my songs are cliche-free--I never rest on a time-worn phrase, chord change or notion. I augment the set with lots of stories, laughter, observations, etc. The show is never the same twice--thus I keep getting asked back to cities again and again and the audience is growing each time, but the people who've been with me are seeing something new each time.

hey, in addition to that I have played live and on albums by Snow Patrol, the Afghan Whigs, Mudhoney, Maria McKee, and numerous film soundtracks...