Adelee & Gentry

Once again, this week in the 615 Spotlight, we are going to take a look at something a little different than mainstream country music. Spend any amount of time in Nashville, and you will hear some great gospel, alternative, rock, and pop music. A great example of the latter is rising sister duo Adelee & Gentry.
Natives of Ohio, the harmony-laden duo are definitely becoming regulars on the "artists to watch" lists around Music City. Earlier this year, they released their debut, "Nice To Meet You." Now, they are getting into the holiday spirit with the release of their EP "Waiting For Christmas," a set that includes sparkling takes on such time-honored classics as "Carol Of The Bells" and "Jingle Bells," and the title track, an original written by the pair.

Songwriting has always been important to Adelee, who tells Billboard that there's a heavy dose of irony in that fact. "In school, English was my most hated subject, so it cracks me up that I'm a songwriter. I hated writing assignments back then. But, we start with the music, then come up with the full melody lines and harmonies, and from there the music will put us in a mood, and put us in a different emotional direction, and we will write lyrics as we go."
How would the sisters describe their sound? "Genre-wise, it's Alternative-Pop," states Adelee, "but if we were to describe it from an emotional level, I would say real and honest. We write what people can relate to, but I really don't write about other people's situations. I just tend to pour my heart out in a song. Gentry is the same way. We don't try to act like someone or something else. It's just the emotions of what we're feeling at the time, and who we are. We're not going to try to create something that is not there."

Adelee started performing first, but as time went along, it became apparent that her younger sibling had a talent for music as well - though she had to do a little coaxing at first. "Daddy got us a 24-track for Christmas one year," Gentry recalls. "We recorded our demo CD in our basement studio. I started singing with her. She kind of forced me to do it. I would tell her that I couldn't sing. We were at a coffee show, and she sat me down, and said 'Just sing this.' It was Taylor Swift's 'Tim McGraw.' After that, it just clicked," she says with a smile."

Both their full-length disc and the Christmas EP have been produced by Jason Webb, who has worked with such vocal heavyweights as LeAnn Rimes and Bebe Winans.
"I remember being completely blown away after hearing Adelee and Gentry perform for the first time, and working with them has been a career highlight for me," says Webb. "They are natural performers with a special uniqueness in their voices, and their songwriting is both commercial and mature. I am so proud to be working with them."

The duo will be busy promoting their new release over the next few weeks, and then turn their attention to 2013. They kick the new year off in fine fashion, with a January 3 performance at the prestigious Bluebird Cafe. It's all a part of spreading the word about their talent. "We want to get our music out there, and have it recognized by as many people as possible. That's the overall goal. We don't really know where it's going to take us. God is going to do what he is going to do. I feel like we are supposed to be doing this." - Chuck Dauphin

Once again, this week in the 615 Spotlight, we are going to take a look at something a little different than mainstream country music. Spend any amount of time in Nashville, and you will hear some great gospel, alternative, rock, and pop music. A great example of the latter is rising sister duo Adelee & Gentry.
Natives of Ohio, the harmony-laden duo are definitely becoming regulars on the "artists to watch" lists around Music City. Earlier this year, they released their debut, "Nice To Meet You." Now, they are getting into the holiday spirit with the release of their EP "Waiting For Christmas," a set that includes sparkling takes on such time-honored classics as "Carol Of The Bells" and "Jingle Bells," and the title track, an original written by the pair.

Songwriting has always been important to Adelee, who tells Billboard that there's a heavy dose of irony in that fact. "In school, English was my most hated subject, so it cracks me up that I'm a songwriter. I hated writing assignments back then. But, we start with the music, then come up with the full melody lines and harmonies, and from there the music will put us in a mood, and put us in a different emotional direction, and we will write lyrics as we go."
How would the sisters describe their sound? "Genre-wise, it's Alternative-Pop," states Adelee, "but if we were to describe it from an emotional level, I would say real and honest. We write what people can relate to, but I really don't write about other people's situations. I just tend to pour my heart out in a song. Gentry is the same way. We don't try to act like someone or something else. It's just the emotions of what we're feeling at the time, and who we are. We're not going to try to create something that is not there."

Adelee started performing first, but as time went along, it became apparent that her younger sibling had a talent for music as well - though she had to do a little coaxing at first. "Daddy got us a 24-track for Christmas one year," Gentry recalls. "We recorded our demo CD in our basement studio. I started singing with her. She kind of forced me to do it. I would tell her that I couldn't sing. We were at a coffee show, and she sat me down, and said 'Just sing this.' It was Taylor Swift's 'Tim McGraw.' After that, it just clicked," she says with a smile."

Both their full-length disc and the Christmas EP have been produced by Jason Webb, who has worked with such vocal heavyweights as LeAnn Rimes and Bebe Winans.
"I remember being completely blown away after hearing Adelee and Gentry perform for the first time, and working with them has been a career highlight for me," says Webb. "They are natural performers with a special uniqueness in their voices, and their songwriting is both commercial and mature. I am so proud to be working with them."

The duo will be busy promoting their new release over the next few weeks, and then turn their attention to 2013. They kick the new year off in fine fashion, with a January 3 performance at the prestigious Bluebird Cafe. It's all a part of spreading the word about their talent. "We want to get our music out there, and have it recognized by as many people as possible. That's the overall goal. We don't really know where it's going to take us. God is going to do what he is going to do. I feel like we are supposed to be doing this." - Chuck Dauphin

As 2012 is flying on by, we have almost made our way to Thanksgiving already. So many people everywhere have dived into preparing for Christmas, getting their shopping done, putting up their trees, and readily allowing themselves to get into the spirit. What is one of the best ways to get into the Christmas spirit? The right music, of course!

Whether you’re out on the road running errands, simply relaxing by the fire, or anything in between, it is the right time of year to immerse yourself into songs about snow, Jingle Bells, angels, and this special season in general. Guess what? I have just the CD for you this year!

Ohio natives and sister duo, Adelee & Gentry have released a 6 song Christmas EP entitled “Waiting For Christmas.” With one listen of this compilation that was officially released on November 6, you will find yourself “Waiting for Christmas” in the best fashion possible.

Though they are young in years, Adelee & Gentry have the voices of seasoned veterans. They sound amazingly polished, and harmonize together flawlessly with angelic-like vocals. They know how to effectively take these Christmas classics, and give respect to the original covers by maintaining the traditional holiday sound, yet make them completely their own.

So how did this project come to be?

Adelee: “Over the summer…we were in Nashville. It was late spring, and we were talking to our publicist, Nicole Pope. We decided we wanted our next project to be a Christmas CD…..and well the deadline was really soon to be able to pitch it. It was a very quick process. We just picked the songs, and worked on the arrangements. We got the idea, and had project finished in 5 weeks. We looked at a list of public domain songs, and picked the ones we’ve always liked, and went from there. “

You may be wondering what their favorite song on their EP is?

Gentry: “Waiting for Christmas. I like the way it turned out. We liked that one a lot, and enjoyed getting to write it with our producer.”

Adelee: “When it comes to my favorite, probably Jingle Bells.”

Speaking of songwriting, Adelee & Gentry sure know how to write original music. How does that process work for them?

Gentry: “I think most of the time, I play something on the guitar…I say a word or two that gives her an idea, and we somehow bring the ideas together.”

Adelee: “I started playing guitar, and singing when I was 10. By the time I taught Gentry to play guitar and sing along, she was 10. We would always sing together. By the time I was 15, her voice had really matured, and we were really becoming a singer-songwriter team.”
“On the nice to meet you album,” Gentry and I wrote all of the songs. We’re from this real small town. In Nashville, everyone was pretty shocked that we wrote all the songs on the album.”

Who has influenced them the most musically?

Adelee: “When it comes to other influences, I would say Adele, Ingrid Michaelson & Sarah Barielles. We listen to a lot of other music too, but those are 3 artists that we can connect to because their singer-songwriters.”

While listening to “Waiting For Christmas,” any listener is going to realize that Adelee & Gentry truly has an individualistic approach, but what does the sister duo think it is exactly that sets them apart?

Adelee: “I would describe it as a blend of the whole singer- songwriter vibe. The harmonies are what sets us apart from other people…but we have an alternative pop feel with more of an edge to it. A lot of our songs are very different….kind of more unique and edgy. The compliment we’ve gotten other than our harmonies is that every song is in its own little world. We like to be very diverse…we don’t like to be put in a box.”

“I think being sisters too…one used to be lead, one used to be harmony, but now it is 50/50 vocals. Gentry has musically matured. When we’re harmonizing…a lot of people can’t tell the difference of who is who.

What has been on the music agenda for these busy girls this year?

Adelee: “This summer was really busy. It seems like we were in Nashville every other weekend. We had been so focused on the business side of things, and the team we were forming in Nashville. We were working on the album and getting things together. We played at the Bluebird twice this year in a writer’s round. We really like Puckett’s Grocery in Leipers Fork…its really like our home. Every time we went to Nashville, they really welcomed us.”

So now for the biggest question of all....where can we get our own copies of “Waiting For Christmas?”

Adelee: “Mainly from Itunes and our website. You can download digital, or you can buy physically from the website. You can purchase separately or as a bundle pack…the bundle is a little cheaper. If you go to the store tab, it shows all the options.”

Adelee: “We’ve had our fan base, everyone from little girls to people up in their 50s and 60s excited about it. Our main fan base is typically from 16 to 30. This project is very diverse - Holly Tong

As 2012 is flying on by, we have almost made our way to Thanksgiving already. So many people everywhere have dived into preparing for Christmas, getting their shopping done, putting up their trees, and readily allowing themselves to get into the spirit. What is one of the best ways to get into the Christmas spirit? The right music, of course!

Whether you’re out on the road running errands, simply relaxing by the fire, or anything in between, it is the right time of year to immerse yourself into songs about snow, Jingle Bells, angels, and this special season in general. Guess what? I have just the CD for you this year!

Ohio natives and sister duo, Adelee & Gentry have released a 6 song Christmas EP entitled “Waiting For Christmas.” With one listen of this compilation that was officially released on November 6, you will find yourself “Waiting for Christmas” in the best fashion possible.

Though they are young in years, Adelee & Gentry have the voices of seasoned veterans. They sound amazingly polished, and harmonize together flawlessly with angelic-like vocals. They know how to effectively take these Christmas classics, and give respect to the original covers by maintaining the traditional holiday sound, yet make them completely their own.

So how did this project come to be?

Adelee: “Over the summer…we were in Nashville. It was late spring, and we were talking to our publicist, Nicole Pope. We decided we wanted our next project to be a Christmas CD…..and well the deadline was really soon to be able to pitch it. It was a very quick process. We just picked the songs, and worked on the arrangements. We got the idea, and had project finished in 5 weeks. We looked at a list of public domain songs, and picked the ones we’ve always liked, and went from there. “

You may be wondering what their favorite song on their EP is?

Gentry: “Waiting for Christmas. I like the way it turned out. We liked that one a lot, and enjoyed getting to write it with our producer.”

Adelee: “When it comes to my favorite, probably Jingle Bells.”

Speaking of songwriting, Adelee & Gentry sure know how to write original music. How does that process work for them?

Gentry: “I think most of the time, I play something on the guitar…I say a word or two that gives her an idea, and we somehow bring the ideas together.”

Adelee: “I started playing guitar, and singing when I was 10. By the time I taught Gentry to play guitar and sing along, she was 10. We would always sing together. By the time I was 15, her voice had really matured, and we were really becoming a singer-songwriter team.”
“On the nice to meet you album,” Gentry and I wrote all of the songs. We’re from this real small town. In Nashville, everyone was pretty shocked that we wrote all the songs on the album.”

Who has influenced them the most musically?

Adelee: “When it comes to other influences, I would say Adele, Ingrid Michaelson & Sarah Barielles. We listen to a lot of other music too, but those are 3 artists that we can connect to because their singer-songwriters.”

While listening to “Waiting For Christmas,” any listener is going to realize that Adelee & Gentry truly has an individualistic approach, but what does the sister duo think it is exactly that sets them apart?

Adelee: “I would describe it as a blend of the whole singer- songwriter vibe. The harmonies are what sets us apart from other people…but we have an alternative pop feel with more of an edge to it. A lot of our songs are very different….kind of more unique and edgy. The compliment we’ve gotten other than our harmonies is that every song is in its own little world. We like to be very diverse…we don’t like to be put in a box.”

“I think being sisters too…one used to be lead, one used to be harmony, but now it is 50/50 vocals. Gentry has musically matured. When we’re harmonizing…a lot of people can’t tell the difference of who is who.

What has been on the music agenda for these busy girls this year?

Adelee: “This summer was really busy. It seems like we were in Nashville every other weekend. We had been so focused on the business side of things, and the team we were forming in Nashville. We were working on the album and getting things together. We played at the Bluebird twice this year in a writer’s round. We really like Puckett’s Grocery in Leipers Fork…its really like our home. Every time we went to Nashville, they really welcomed us.”

So now for the biggest question of all....where can we get our own copies of “Waiting For Christmas?”

Adelee: “Mainly from Itunes and our website. You can download digital, or you can buy physically from the website. You can purchase separately or as a bundle pack…the bundle is a little cheaper. If you go to the store tab, it shows all the options.”

Adelee: “We’ve had our fan base, everyone from little girls to people up in their 50s and 60s excited about it. Our main fan base is typically from 16 to 30. This project is very diverse - Holly Tong

As you may have read in my previous article, sister duo Adelee & Gentry just released a one of a kind Christmas EP entitled, “Waiting For Christmas.”

http://www.examiner.com/article/adelee-gentry-release-waiting-for-christmas-ep-exclusive-interview

However, this Ohio based pair has exceedingly more than just beautiful Christmas music out there for your listening pleasure. Together, Adelee & Gentry wrote every single song for their “Nice to Meet You..” CD project.

The “Nice to Meet You” compilation further proves Adelee & Gentry as a serious force to be reckoned with. Traces of their influences Ingrid Michaelson, Adele & Sarah Barielles undoubtedly appear in their music, but Adelee & Gentry have successfully developed their own unique style that positively places them in a league of their own.

Upon listening to their 12 song CD, one will hear a diverse variety of topics, and notice the true versatility of Adelee & Gentry.

Their self-written tunes that appear on “Nice to Meet You” can be described as sweet, reflective, edgy, expressive, and heart-felt. Sometimes they write about love, sometimes they write about memories, and sometimes they throw in something completely unpredictable.

“Falling Hard” leads the CD as a fun, feel good tune that causes a listener to think about young love, and the high on life feeling that goes along with falling hard for someone.

“Beautiful Disaster” and “I Love You” are two more tunes that very accurately express a truth that so many can relate to.

“Thunderstorms” is a noteworthy tune with a completely individualistic approach that will draw in anyone who hears it. It is a song full of incredible analogies and lyrics that showcase just how deep Adelee & Gentry can go as writers.

“Stupid Puppets” is amazingly creative and indisputably unlike anything else out there. With expressive lines that are sang with true emotion, this is truly an unforgettable song.

“Fool For You” and “Dear Boy,” are two more songs that are sure to touch the hearts of those who hear this CD. “Dear Boy” is soft and powerful all in one, as it is contains conversational vocals with a strong harmony. It is just simply the kind of song that causes goose-bumps.

“Sweet Memory” is reflective and shows the genuine maturity and the strength of this young duo.

“Skitzo” starts with an undeniably edgy feel, and shows the rockish side of Adelee & Gentry, reminding us that you just never know what you’re going to get when you pop in their CD.

“Puzzle Pieces” is another artsy, expressive tune that provides deep insight.

“You Got Me” is a sweet song that ties in with their title of “Nice to Meet you” and drives the CD home.

“Orchard Trees” was a great choice to wrap up their project with its sweet demeanor that concludes with reinforcing exactly who they are.

Adelee & Gentry are just as down to earth and genuine as their CD presents. Working together as a team that comes packed with flawless angelic-like harmonies, tight songwriting, and admirable characters, these two most certainly have the “it” factor.

Upon listening to “Nice to Meet You,” you’ll be glad to meet Adelee & Gentry.

Be sure to visit www.adeleeandgentry.com to get a copy of “Nice to Meet You,” AND their Christmas EP “Waiting on Christmas” that was just released on November 6. - Holly Tong

As you may have read in my previous article, sister duo Adelee & Gentry just released a one of a kind Christmas EP entitled, “Waiting For Christmas.”

http://www.examiner.com/article/adelee-gentry-release-waiting-for-christmas-ep-exclusive-interview

However, this Ohio based pair has exceedingly more than just beautiful Christmas music out there for your listening pleasure. Together, Adelee & Gentry wrote every single song for their “Nice to Meet You..” CD project.

The “Nice to Meet You” compilation further proves Adelee & Gentry as a serious force to be reckoned with. Traces of their influences Ingrid Michaelson, Adele & Sarah Barielles undoubtedly appear in their music, but Adelee & Gentry have successfully developed their own unique style that positively places them in a league of their own.

Upon listening to their 12 song CD, one will hear a diverse variety of topics, and notice the true versatility of Adelee & Gentry.

Their self-written tunes that appear on “Nice to Meet You” can be described as sweet, reflective, edgy, expressive, and heart-felt. Sometimes they write about love, sometimes they write about memories, and sometimes they throw in something completely unpredictable.

“Falling Hard” leads the CD as a fun, feel good tune that causes a listener to think about young love, and the high on life feeling that goes along with falling hard for someone.

“Beautiful Disaster” and “I Love You” are two more tunes that very accurately express a truth that so many can relate to.

“Thunderstorms” is a noteworthy tune with a completely individualistic approach that will draw in anyone who hears it. It is a song full of incredible analogies and lyrics that showcase just how deep Adelee & Gentry can go as writers.

“Stupid Puppets” is amazingly creative and indisputably unlike anything else out there. With expressive lines that are sang with true emotion, this is truly an unforgettable song.

“Fool For You” and “Dear Boy,” are two more songs that are sure to touch the hearts of those who hear this CD. “Dear Boy” is soft and powerful all in one, as it is contains conversational vocals with a strong harmony. It is just simply the kind of song that causes goose-bumps.

“Sweet Memory” is reflective and shows the genuine maturity and the strength of this young duo.

“Skitzo” starts with an undeniably edgy feel, and shows the rockish side of Adelee & Gentry, reminding us that you just never know what you’re going to get when you pop in their CD.

“Puzzle Pieces” is another artsy, expressive tune that provides deep insight.

“You Got Me” is a sweet song that ties in with their title of “Nice to Meet you” and drives the CD home.

“Orchard Trees” was a great choice to wrap up their project with its sweet demeanor that concludes with reinforcing exactly who they are.

Adelee & Gentry are just as down to earth and genuine as their CD presents. Working together as a team that comes packed with flawless angelic-like harmonies, tight songwriting, and admirable characters, these two most certainly have the “it” factor.

Upon listening to “Nice to Meet You,” you’ll be glad to meet Adelee & Gentry.

Be sure to visit www.adeleeandgentry.com to get a copy of “Nice to Meet You,” AND their Christmas EP “Waiting on Christmas” that was just released on November 6. - Holly Tong