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KEN STRINGFELLOW, multi-faceted artist and producer, has been a fixture of the indie music landscape since forming his band The Posies in 1988, in the first wave of bands emerging onto the international stage from the legendary Seattle scene of the era. The bands’ penchant for songcraft paired with deftly melodic harmony vocals set them apart from most of their heavy rock peers, but has allowed their music to remain timeless and continue to gain fans decades on. Ken was also part of one of the most revered ‘cult’ bands of all time - Big Star, the 1970s power-pop legends from Memphis - when they reformed in 1993 after almost 20 years of hiatus, Ken was included as bassist, and retained that role until the untimely death of singer Alex Chilton in 2010. And of course, Ken spent a decade touring and recording with perhaps the most influential ‘indie’ band of all time - R.E.M., playing multiple instruments and gracing such legendary stages as Budokan, the Hollywood Bowl, and Glastonbury. Ken’s numerous collaborations include working with Neil Young, Ringo Starr, Patti Smith, Wilco, John Paul Jones, Damien Jurado, Thom Yorke, Nada Surf, Marky Ramone, Brendan Benson, Mercury Rev, Neuman…and many more, Ken’s appeared on over 400 albums representing millions of physical sales and countless streams. He’s also performed in 95 countries around the globe. As a solo artist, Ken has built up a devoted following with his vulnerable, raw, stripped-down live shows, often performed without any kind of amplification - as well as his rich, orchestral and imaginative albums; Ken’s audiences have no qualms with such a dichotomy - in fact, it’s the diversity, range and mastery of his craft as well as the absolutely true emotional delivery of the songs that have held audiences around the world in thrall.
It’s been over a decade since Ken released a solo album, and his new album, CIRCUIT BREAKER (Oct 2024), his fifth, is indeed a grand leap from its predecessors - the raw parts are ever more raw; the tender moments are ever more delicate; and Ken’s cosmopolitan sophistication has been distilled into almost cosmic purity. Opening with “Trust” a deceptively melancholy piano/vocal verse develops slowly into a searing indictment of betrayal and abuse, the album passes through episodes of Jimmy Webb chamber pop (“If That’s What God Wants”), the ecstatic eccentricity of Bowie (“The Power Out Song”) , a dark noise distillation of the underside of the human psyche featuring spoken word by NY underground queen Lydia Lunch (“Waiting”) and more. Finding the strength to overcome any obstacle is a recurring theme on this album, and Ken has lived it - it’s what gives “CIRCUIT BREAKER” such urgency, and couples it with hard-earned wisdom.
As Ken completes his fifth decade as a musician, performer, producer, writer and more, CIRCUIT BREAKER finds his vision clear, his heart engaged, and his mastery of his craft indisputable. It’s the perfect time to connect with this multidimensional, deeply committed, surprising and captivating artist.
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
The Peer Hat, 14-16 Faraday Street,Manchester, United Kingdom
