Well-Known Strangers is Joe Adamek (guitar/songwriting), Betsy Ade (vocals/songwriting), Roger Gower (drums), Sacia Jerome (cello), Ted Koth (lead guitar, multi-instrumentalist), and John Kulas (bass guitar). Joe is the band's creative spark, introducing songs and guiding band's overall artistic direction, though Betsy is an essential creative foil. Her songwriting and rich lyric gifts are essential in the band's overall sound and direction, and her vocal delivery is unmatched. Members of the alt-pop collaboration have collectively played well over 250 shows around the Midwest, including Chicago-Metro, Milwaukee, Madison, Rockford, and Minneapolis. The group mines a sophisticated but accessible sound that recalls Goo Goo Dolls, Mumford & Sons, 10,000 Maniacs, Brandi Carlile, Annie Lennox, Rusted Root, and Matchbox 20. Distinguishing Well-Known Strangers from those bands are the one-two punch of Betsy's vocal power, sass, and swagger, and Sacia's classically trained cello playing.
Sounds Like: 10,000 Maniacs, Goo Goo Dolls
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Joe Adamek & Betsy Ade of the pop/folk/rock band Well-Known Strangers (based in Racine, Wisconsin), has won the SongwriterUniverse "Best Song Of The Month" Contest for July, for their song "Aligned." This song is included on their debut 4-song EP, Found, which was released independently in June (2015). New song, Mirror, to be released October 17th.
Well-Known Strangers
Well-Known Strangers founder, chief songwriter, and guitarist Joe Adamek, had developed a respectable musician profile penning songs for a number of artists, playing in several excellent Midwest bands, and headlining at prestigious music venues and events, when he had an artistic epiphany. He envisioned creating a modern pop-rock band around powerful and emotive female vocals and stately cello. His bold ideas have enabled him to build a collaborative band around some of the scene's finest musicians.
"The name has two layers," Joe explains. "One layer refers to the band--how everyone in the band is sort of well known in the local musical scene but a few of the members didn't really know each other on a personal level, so we're strangers in a way. The other layer refers to the content of some of the songs. Much of the content in these songs is about people and life elements that while intertwined, are sometimes disconnected and, in a way, 'strangers' with inexplicably meaningful connections."
Well-Known Strangers is Joe Adamek (guitar/songwriting), Betsy Ade (vocals/songwriting), Roger Gower (drums), Sacia Jerome (cello), Jon Wolf (guitars), and John Kulas (bass guitar, guitars). Joe is the band's creative spark, introducing songs and guiding band's overall artistic direction, though Betsy is an essential creative foil. Her songwriting and rich lyric gifts are essential in the band's overall sound and direction, and her vocal delivery is unmatched. Members of the alt-pop collaboration have collectively played well over 250 shows around the Midwest, including Chicago-Metro, Milwaukee, Madison, Rockford, and Minneapolis. The group mines a sophisticated but accessible sound that recalls Goo Goo Dolls, Mumford & Sons, 10,000 Maniacs, Brandi Carlile, Annie Lennox, Rusted Root, and Matchbox 20. Distinguishing Well-Known Strangers from those bands are the one-two punch of Betsy's vocal power, sass, and swagger, and Sacia's classically trained cello playing.
The group came together in September 2014 in a fevered pitch of creative inspiration. "I was thinking of the Goo Goo Dolls, Guster, and even the Beatles' 'Eleanor Rigby,' --using the orchestral fullness of the cello in a pop-rock context," Joe says. During his busy schedule, Joe began testing the waters with his new originals. The songs Joe was writing were elegantly simple and built around showcasing Betsy's vocals, the richness of the cello, and infectious hooks. They certainly weren't vehicles for flashy musicianship or flexing chops.
Well-Known Strangers' foundational tracks are the mesmerizing "Another Sun," a graceful pop-rock mid tempo track with chiming guitar and a balmy chorus, and the hauntingly sensual "Take You There." "Take You There" has a lot of tension and innuendo. It's two people in other relationships that feel a deep connection. There is a telling line in there that goes 'if you want my thoughts just read my eyes,'" Joe explains. Though his writing explores complex relationships, Joe also writes powerfully about challenges in adult life such as beating cancer, which in fact Joe beat. The pulse-pounding and soul-touching song "Release Me" details his successful battle with cancer and will round out the group's initial demo. Lastly, their song "Aligned" is the demo's liberating track that gives Well-Known Strangers' album a bittersweet but hopeful feel to it.
Well-Known Strangers have released their debut EP "Found", and are prepping to play shows. Pausing to contemplate his quest for an innovative artistic ideal, Joe says: "It's been really gratifying as the word has gotten out people and have been so enthusiastic about the band. It feels incredible and very validating."