This singer-songwriter began a professional modeling career when she was discovered at the age of 15 by a well renowned international modeling agency. She attended professional acting school and appeared in several television commercials and music videos. Angela eventually went on to college while continuing to model, do a bit of acting, and humanitarian work during this time. She graduated with a double Bachelor’s degree and ultimately a Doctorate degree in law.
After she completed her education, Angela headed back to the music scene. This pop/country artist writes and performs her own original music and focuses on the piano and the guitar. Her performances include the Grand Old Opry stage, The Ryman Auditorium, and the opening act for the NFL team, the Tennessee Titans, as well as the professional hockey team, the Nashville Predators.
Angela followed up her popular debut single, “Have You Told Her” with the powerful ballad, “Love Yourself”. She currently is working on an album, a couple of projects with other artists, and training for a film.
I interviewed Angela via email about her current music, projects, songwriting process, and the path from model and actor to an indie artist, plus more.
You released your last single, “Love Yourself” in December last year. What was the inspiration behind the song?
The inspiration behind this song was learning at a very young age what independence truly means and that you have to love yourself first. If you don’t, happiness and love from someone else are difficult to find.
What are your plans for an EP or album this year? Or can we expect more single releases?
Currently, I am writing about different life experiences or things in my current life that are important to me. In regards to genre, I don’t want to be put in a “genre” box, so in regards to sound, the expectation is to hear different forms of music.
Explain your songwriting process.
The songwriting process for me takes different forms. Sometimes, it’s a melody that pops into my brain first, maybe when I am playing an instrument. At other times, there is a strong idea in my mind, and I write about that first and then build the music around it.
What is your favorite microphone or instrument to use when you perform and why?
I don’t know if I have a favorite microphone. There is one that I use when I am rehearsing, so I am quite used to it, but if performing live, I need the microphone to be comfortable in my hands, and they aren’t always. In regard to instruments, I have played the piano from a very young age, so I am most comfortable with that if I perform with an instrument.
At the age of 13, you recorded in the studio covers of your musical influences including Christina Aguilera and Mariah Carey. How did that come about? What did you learn from that experience?
I have always wanted to be a performer. One of the things that I learned in developing my own voice was to take the sound of someone you like and imitate their sound, so that’s what I did. I learned a lot about vocal range through that experience and the process of developing my vocal ability.
Tell us more about your experiences performing on the stage of the Grand Ole Opry and the Ryman Auditorium. How did it feel to perform on such iconic stages? How you got those opportunities?
Standing in front of the iconic microphone at the Grand Old Opry was a humbling experience.
I remember a moment where so many different artists sort of flashed through my mind that had stood there before me. At the time, it was once in a lifetime and I didn’t want to waste it. So I sang my heart out.
You began work at 15 as a professional model after being discovered by a renowned international modeling agency. You also have attended professional acting school, and worked in television commercials and music videos. What do you enjoy about modeling and acting? How does it compare to doing music?
Music for me is an expression of yourself. It’s a form of getting your deepest thoughts out, without having to have the serious, sometimes awkward conversations. Acting is an art form where you can be someone other than yourself. You have the freedom to be whoever you want at that moment. If you do something stupid or crazy, you can blame it on the character that you’re playing. Then there is modeling. There was something very liberating about the process of the runway, you step out in someone else’s vision or art form, and then to go backstage where you have 30 seconds to change. It takes away insecurity that many have about being seen changing clothes (to put it mildly) because everyone else is in the same position you are. It has made me more comfortable in my own skin.
Why did you take a break from the entertainment industry to attend college? What did you get your double degrees in?
Well, during university, I was still modeling and doing a bit of acting. But I wanted to make sure that I had something to fall back on if my time in the arts didn’t work. I had also spent quite some time doing humanitarian work, and I wanted to learn as much as possible on how to expand on that. I received a double bachelor’s degree in International relations, business management, political science, and pre-law. I received a doctorate degree in law.
Building on the last question, why did you obtain a law degree? Have you plans to use it or have used it in your music career or is it for something in the future?
My law degree is something that I can use in all facets of my life. As far as plans to become an attorney, it isn’t something that I have discounted. It just isn’t something that I am thinking about right now.
What has been the biggest challenge of your music career so far? How did you handle it?
The biggest challenge, though I look at it as a positive one, is the additional pressure that is put on you to write your own music and to play instruments. It requires a lot of additional time. While it is a challenge, however, it is also an escape for me. When I’m focused on those things, the stress that people feel with constant social media, for example, is something that I don’t necessarily experience.
How do you think women artists can be better supported in the music industry?
I can’t speak of women in general because everyone’s journey is different. In my own musical journey, however, I have found that the title of “model” puts certain pre-judgment on me. Or that I am from Nashville, it’s automatically assumed that I sing country music. I would find it supportive if other artists and professionals would take the time to listen to my creative visions and my story before dismissing me based on preconceived notions.
What does it mean to you personally to be an indie music woman artist?
Personally, it means that I have the freedom to be as creative as I want and say what I want to say. Being “indie” doesn’t mean that I don’t have a team of people that help me. It always takes a team. But being allowed creative freedom is priceless.
You have created a couple of really cool playlists on Spotify and on SoundCloud. Why did you create them? Is there a strategy behind them?
I wish I had more time to create playlists. I started them because it is important to me as someone who is known to be paving a unique path in the industry, and I want to show support and help other artists as much as I can. Plus, I enjoy most of the music that I add to my playlists. Those artists deserve to be heard.
What are your favorite playlists?
I actually just listened to a playlist by Alice Cooper that I love. I also enjoy classical music, so I have a playlist of great piano tunes that I love.
What projects are you currently working on for this year?
Currently, I am writing music and practicing my skills every day. In addition, I am in training to start playing live. It is my intention to travel to Europe to do a radio tour once my album is released. With acting, I am training for a film which is going to be physically demanding. I also have a couple of projects in the works with other artists.
What are your tour or performance plans for 2020? (Ed. note: This interview was conducted prior to the COVID-19 pandemic)
My only plan right now is to begin touring and performing live as much as possible. It’s important to finish the album first before I start setting dates on touring, though. So maybe after the summer, that will all begin to fall into place.
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Listen to Angela’s “Have You Told Her?”
