Adele (Adkins) is an English Soul/Jazz singer from Brixton in South London.
She signed to
XL Recordings for the release of her second single and subsequent debut album.
(Her debut single having been released as a 500 Limited Edition 7" on
Pacemaker Recordings.)
She plays guitar and piano, though her music is characterised by her soulful voice which has been described as
"somewhere between Dusty Springfield and Jill Scott." (In contrast to the hard South London accent of her spoken voice). She confesses to being obsessed with the themes of love lost and heartbreak which, along with teenage experiences and London life, predominate in her soul-tinged songs.
October 2007 saw her first headlining tour (in the UK), after previously touring with best friend
Jack Peñate (on whose album
Matinée she provides backing vocals for
My Yvonne), as well supporting
Jamie T,
Raul Midon,
Devendra Banhart and
Amos Lee.
She lists
Etta James,
Jill Scott,
Billy Bragg,
Peggy Lee,
Jeff Buckley,
Ella Fitzgerald,
Billie Holiday,
Johnny Cash and
The Cure amongst her influences, and is also a huge fan of Al Pacino.