Adeline

Photo: Sergei Bahmetenko

If you have a penchant for soulful R&B, funky bass-playing, and velveteen vocals, you’ll love French-Caribbean singer, bassist and producer Adeline.

The Parisian-born artist is one of our new favorite discoveries of the past year-that-should-not-be-named and recently dropped her lovely new EP, Intérimes which is a must-listen. She came up in the music industry as the front woman of disco band Escort before going solo three years ago and never looking back. Adeline simply oozes that sound and aura of cool, kind and real—which is why we were so excited to feature her on The Dandy. Even her lifestyle—which is fueled by exercise, healthy food, and meditation, but also wine and the occasional cigarette—blends seamlessly with our notion of living within the contradictions.

Currently based in New York City, we recently caught up with Adeline about why New York is and will always be her favorite city, the duality of her cultural background, the main difference between French and American women, and the future of touring.

Hi! So, how are you really doing?

It’s a sunny day, I just finished working out. I’m counting my blessings! I’m a sort of a fitness addict, so today I went to the park and did calisthenics at this outdoor workout area next to my park.

Are you into meditation too?

I started meditating exactly a year ago. That was one of my —I don’t like the word resolution— but something I introduced into my life. I picked 2020 as the year to start this practice, so I chose wisely! I use the Calm app, or just do it on my own now.

It’s a good way to quiet the mind, or at least calm it down. Are you somebody whose mind never really turns off?

My mind is constantly racing and I’m very hyper, even physically. But I realize now that my workouts are also a form of meditation. I need that energy release otherwise my brain works on overdrive; so the combination of that physical and mental meditation is a good balance for me.

You’re based in New York City. What’s the sentiment there? What are your hopes for NYC come spring?

I would not want to be anywhere else going through this than New York. Going through this pandemic living here has proven to me why New York is so special and why the city is so cool. People are so resilient here, and there’s a sense of community in the middle of the crowd that’s very unique to NYC. Of course there’s a lot of people and you can easily feel lonely, but a lot of us here have a common backstory. Not to say that people in other cities don’t, but here, we’re mostly immigrants and people with a hustle and a hunger. We go through the grit of having to pay ridiculous amounts for rent, but we do it anyway—we’re here for a reason. Every night I walk around and see people sitting outside in the cold at bars and restaurants in their coats, having a beer. I’m like, ‘I love you New Yorkers! You’re so cool.’ To me, that is the representation of what a New Yorker is. "You’re telling me I can’t be. inside? Okay then, I’ll sit outside in 30 degrees temps. I’m still going to see my friends.” It’s that mentality that sweeps you away. We don’t have time to sit and cry, we just keep it moving.

I was reading a couple of your old interviews and this quote resonated. “It’s great to be able to go somewhere to find yourself, because we all don’t feel like we belong where we came from.” It’s so true, but on the flip side, if you do have the opportunity to explore other places, it eventually comes full circle and you may yearn for your original home. Did you experience that or do you feel like NYC is home home?

It is New York, but the larger sense of home that I feel is my country house in France where my mother grew up. It’s not that my family had multiple houses, we grew up in the hood. But my mom is from the south of France and grew up on a farm with 10 siblings and her family has been on that farm since the 15th century. Because my mom is from there and my dad is from the Caribbean and is the descendent of slaves and knows the feeling of being completely uprooted, there’s this duality I experience. know those two feelings of not knowing where your roots are on one side, but also knowing from another. That place is where I feel home; no doubt. My DNA is actually in the soil.

Photo: Shervin Lainez

What would you say are the main differences in the standards of beauty between women in France and the U.S.?

Well, I’m looking at my nails right now—and I never get my nails done, which is a very French thing. When I moved to NY from Paris, I had never been into a nail salon. It’s starting a little bit, but it’s just not a thing. Our definition of sexy in France is completely different and I am seeing a lot of older French female actresses with less work done; it’s a lot more natural. It’s more about a sense of attitude, the shape of your clothes, and dressing well rather than having your makeup done and wearing a tight outfit. I relate to that way more.

That also sounds healthier in general. You see these American actresses and it’s like wow—the amount of work some of them get done is just wild.

Yes, but in terms of healthy, I will give American women credit because they’re definitely more caught up when it comes to exercising and not smoking. A lot of French women smoke cigarettes and don’t really exercise as much. But as far as beauty aesthetic and the definition of sex appeal, there it’s not related to sex, per-se—and that is the biggest difference for me.

You were in the band Escort for a few years before going solo. What was that process of shedding the band and focusing on your own look, sound and feel like for you?

I was having that conversation yesterday. I’ve been solo for almost 3 years and my career is really solidifying now. I realize that because I spent so much time in a band, I had to go through a lot of processing with finding who I am as a solo artist. It took a long time to find my solo identity. That growth has been huge for me and I needed to not be in a band to be able to find myself. The two just weren’t compatible anymore.

Did you oscillate through moments of empowerment and fear surrounding that?

Oh my god, of course! I wanted to do it for a long time without admitting it to myself because I was too afraid. The band was doing well and I would get defensive when friends would ask me when I was going to go solo. It was just insecurity, because I wasn’t ready. It took a lot of negative events that happened in my life to push me to make the change. That’s actually usually how I thrive—when I get hit hard and have to bounce back. It became obvious after a while that I needed to do it, but it was definitely very scary for a long time.

We love your new EP Intérimes. It’s a lovely mix of funk, soul and fun. What was your concept or intention around creating it?

It was mainly to make music that you just described—something that’s funky and soulful and unapologetically me. I released my first solo album before that and it was sonically all over the place. But by touring often and owning my solo personality on stage, the sound that I wanted became clear to me. The goal with this EP was to make something that was full and funky and left room for my personal stories, my bass playing and my vocals to shine.

Obviously it’s more common now to see women playing bass and all sorts of male-associated instruments, but we’re curious to know about your experience as a female bassist in the industry.

All the bass players around me—female and male—never made me feel pigeonholed or disrespected for being a woman. It was a very welcoming community. But the thing I am fighting for more so than the bass is female producers. We are way behind on that. We represent less than 8%. That leads to this male dominated misogynist situation that we have been fighting against in the music industry—whether it’s in the studio or office or deciding who gets signed or used to get a song recorded. What can really make a lasting change is having more female producers. I had no examples of female producers when I was little besides Missy Elliot. I didn’t even know it was a thing—that’s the only reason I didn't start earlier.

Do you produce your own work?

I do and I work in tandem with a man. I began working on my music by myself, but then partnered up with my friend Morgan, because he is an amazing keyboard player. I believe music is meant to be shared and I work better collaboratively. And also his personality is complementary with the way I view the industry and female empowerment. It’s still my music and I make the important decisions, but we have a nice thing going on.

For sure—good people are good people. Doesn’t matter the gender.

Exactly. I’m not the kind of feminist that’s like, 'cancel men completely.’ It’s more important to train young boys and give them the tools. I watch RuPaul’s Drag Race with my stepson! Train young boys. It starts there.

Word. Who are some of your favorite disco artists?

I wouldn’t typically say Diana Ross because I feel like everyone knows her, but I just worked out to the vinyl of The Boss and its one of my favorites. Also Linda Clifford, Sylvester, and all the music of Patrick Adams.

You used to tour often. Do you think you’ll be back on stage in the summer?

It’s difficult. That’s the one thing that I allow myself to complain about nowadays. But once it comes back, it’s going to be great! I am optimistic about seeing live music this summer. I was just reading an article my manager sent me this morning about Primavera Festival in Spain. They did a trial festival in partnership with health organizations and it was conclusively positive. So that’s a good sign! It was scary when the pandemic started, because all of these zoom and pre-recorded performances looked for a time like that would be the future, regardless of when live music returned. But now, I honestly don’t think so. Once we are back on stage and people experience being at a concert, they’re not going to want to see anything on their phone.

Agree! It’s unlike anything else.

It’s like food! You can look at photo of an apple pie, but it’s not like taking a bite of it.

Amen. What are your vices?

I enjoy a cigarette once in a while. I think it’s the French in me.

Feel that! We mostly abide by exercising and eating right, but you have to live sometimes and have a cig if you want one.

I totally agree. I’m about doing lot of good for myself, and then a little bit of bad is okay. Instead of diving into an unhealthy regimen for one month and then doing a cleanse for one month, I just eat healthy most of the time and have a cigarette here and there. A lot of wine for me, too. But I also do yoga, exercise, and drink a lot of water.