Adia & The 7 Eyes

Adia is an American neo-soul rock violinist, singer and songwriter. Her music is a reflection of her diverse musical background; a blend of classic and alternative rock infused with blues and soul undertones. Born and raised in Milwaukee, WI; Adia enrolled in her first violin lessons when she was just three and a half years old. Her talent was unquestionable throughout her musical studies, which culminated in a Master of Music degree in violin performance from DePaul University in Chicago. When she wasn’t busy practicing the violin, Adia was singing soul, funk and R&B; drawing inspiration from artists like Lauryn Hill, Stevie Wonder and Erykah Badu. But it wasn’t until 2003 that Adia got a glimpse of the artist she was to become, when she met legendary Croatian blues rock guitarist Nikola Sarapa. “He was a beast!” Adia recalls, “He would play these killer solos with incredible speed.” Adia had found her mentor. Nikola quickly exposed Adia to one of the greatest players of all time: Jimi Hendrix. “It completely redefined everything that I wanted to be as a violinist and a musician,” she remembers. “ I wanted to sound like that.” Over the next several years, Adia spent countless hours jamming to Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Slash, Eric Clapton, Albert Collins, Van Halen, and other guitar legends. She went beyond studying their tricks and techniques, ultimately connecting with the visceral power behind their music. The process worked, as Adia eventually molded her influences into her own unique playing style. She started backing up numerous Chicago bands, mesmerizing fellow musicians and unsuspecting audiences with her improv chops, bluesy jams, and powerful voice. After a couple of years, she felt it was time to focus on her own songs. Adia combines the raw power of rock with the soulful R&B she grew up with, writing music that is both unique and diverse; from the riff-heavy Americana-style “Hustler” to the dark, hard-driving “Demons”, to the beautifully serene “Ferris Wheel”. “I don’t limit my music to one particular type”, she explains. In late 2011, Adia teamed up with some of Chicago’s finest: Matt Nelson on keyboards, Geoff Lowe on bass, Chris Siebold and Pat Fleming on guitars, and Jonathan Marks on drums; to form the live band Adia & The 7 Eyes. They released their first recording Live from The Alley in May 2012. The performance features three of Adia’s original songs, as well as a powerful rendition of Jimi Hendrix’s “Stone Free”. Adia & The 7 Eyes are currently preparing for the live circuit. Adia is an American neo-soul rock violinist, singer and songwriter.