Adelia, the single from Gainesville-based singer-songwriter Ben White is slated to be released on August 8th. This is the second single from his anticipated full-length album Men as Trees Walking, releasing August 25th on 4Bits Records. The album was produced by Greg Perkins and mastered by Ed Brooks (Pearl Jam, Death Cab for Cutie, Fleet Foxes, Courtney Marie Andrews, Adrianne Lenker).

 The contrasting harmonic melodies of the guitars seem inextricably woven together as to represent the duality present in the lyrical narrative, leaving space for the listeners to reflect on their own experiences of leaving behind old ways, and the conflicts therein. The song Adelia tells a heart-wrenching story of a man who, after longsuffering and tireless efforts to stay, leaves everything he has known for a chance to discover the world. The lyrics illustrate a complex human dilemma – the internal conflict of wanting to break out of rigid, conventional systems and the dread of abandoning the comfort and familiarity of our past. “This song elucidates the deep impression left by my experience of growing up in the church. I learned to see the world through a very tinted cultural lens. Extricating myself from that system of belief meant the potential of being further scrutinized and abandoned by people I loved. Even still, my past somehow maintained the illusion of safety. I walked away feeling both conviction and doubt.”

 Ben White grew up the son of a pastor, and eventually became one himself. He spent a lot of time in churches in Florida, Oklahoma, and California. However, in 2010, Ben left the church and has since spent years dealing with the trauma of that experience. While the album overall plays with the different facets of rediscovering oneself, the single Adelia presents an honest reflection of Ben’s struggle to trust his experience and take steps in a new direction.