Idol Chatter & Voice Views

Her audition: Betsy Ade, 40, of Kenosha, Wisc., auditioned with “Hunger” by Florence and the Machine. She showed great stage presence and turned in a passionate performance that eventually earned chair turns from John Legend and Adam Levine. John praised her power, energy and the charisma. Betsy joined Team John.

About Betsy:

* Since early 2015, Betsy has been playing guitar and singing lead for Well-Known Strangers, “a cello infused, alternative pop/rock band” she formed with longtime friend Joe Adamek.

* Well-Known Strangers released a 12-song debut album called “Aligned” in 2017 and a 5-song EP “Path Away” in 2018. You can check out the music video for “Sidewalk” from that EP below. Other standout tracks include “Stuff It Down” from the EP and “Mirrors” from that 2017 album.

* Betsy told Voice Views she’s hoping The Voice “will help me grow into my fullest potential as a musician and help get our band and our music in front of fans on a national and possibly international level.” She said her band mates have already noticed her increased confidence and music ability as a result of The Voice.

* Betsy told The Voice she started off singing backup in her brother’s band, “The Other Side” and decided it was “something I wanted to do forever.” When he left the band, she became lead singer and it assumed the name “Rainy Day Crush.”

* But she stepped away from music for a while when she had her son Talynn. He’s now 10 and accompanied her to the audition, rooting that she would land on Team John Legend.

* Betsy said she chose “Hunger” for her blind audition song because “I am a sucker for any Florence and the Machine song because of the power and angst she generates in her voice. Another reason was that I connect to the lyrics in so many ways. Trying to find love in various empty places. Falling down and getting back up again. Insecurities about getting older in a business that celebrates youth and beauty. She is a true poet, an honest writer with a cutting edge lyrical and vocal style that you can’t find anywhere! I adore her.”

* As for her decision to join Team John, here’s what she told Voice Views: “There were two equally important influences in my decision to pick John Legend. The chance that my son would meet one of his heroes who is an amazing musician/producer etc.. and John Legend turned his chair first. He changed my life in literally one second.”

On social media:
Instagram
Website (Well-Known Strangers)
Twitter: @betsyademusic
Facebook
YouTube (Well-Known Strangers)