On the hardest and saddest of my year, each year, I have to wish my first born son (11) a bittersweet farewell as he flies our of Sacramento International Airport back home to Florida to get ready for the school year.

As I am faced with all the emotions, thoughts, and memories that flood with his departure, I want nothing more than to listen to music. There’s no better place to look than my inbox.

Well-Known Strangers happens to be sitting here with their latest EP, Found. I listen.

The first song (“Aligned”) brings the rain of tears down my face as the cello resonates deep, the vocals drive my mind to wonder, and all good times of this summer hit me full force. Errr…maybe I should have chosen something else 😉

Coming together in 2014, Joe Adamek begins forming his vision of a refreshing pop-rock band founded on emotive, powerful female vocals and the stately cello.

Joe, you have succeeded.

“Aligned” is like flying at hyper-speed back to the time Goo Goo Dolls and Matchbox 20 ruled the airwaves. To be a teenager again…

[Tweet “Well-Known Strangers – @wkstrangers – is an epic wall of sound.”]

Speaking on the band’s name, Adamek says,

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.”

This posse includes Joe Adamek’s seasoned guitar and master songwriting, Betsy Ade’s amazing vocals and songwriting contributions, Roger Gower bangin’ on the drums, Sacia Jerome making that cello purr, Jon Wolf with additional guitars, and John Kulas driving it home on bass and guitars… Well-Known Strangers is an epic wall of sound.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YyAQfTHkOMo

I’m moved. I’m impressed. This is top shelf music.

Support the band by grabbing the EP then connect on FB or Twitter.