Kris Angelis – Pieces That Were Stolen

By starrymag | August 7, 2018

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

Q) How would you describe your sound?

 

A) I describe it as folk pop. It has acoustic and organic base with sometimes a little fun electronic flavoring. The songs usually have some kind of story like folk but some hooks like pop and are mainly about all aspects of love.

 

Q) Who are some of your musical influences?

 

A) Ingrid Michaelson, Brandi Carlile, Ray Lamontagne, Katie Herzig, Elton John, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Damian Rice, Rachael Yamagata, Sarah McLachlan, The Lumineers, The Head and The Heart, Gregory Alan Isakov, Jeff Hahn…so many more

 

Q) Talk about the story behind your new song “Photobooth.”

 

A) “Photobooth” is based on a real and magical night that I thought was finally going to be the beginning of something and it turned out basically to be the end. I thought of the photos from the photo booth with that person and all of the thoughts, feelings, hopes and imagined futures that were captured in them and then that’s all there is left of them. There are many things like that in life, so I thought it might be a relatable concept even though it’s a personal song and even thought it ended up being a sad ending for that, the song is upbeat and happy because it’s about remembering the good things even when it doesn’t turn out the way you hoped.

 

Q) What do you think it is about the song that fans connect to?

 

A) I imagine that it’s like I said above, most people have had the experience of a crush and some wonderful moments with them and then only having those memories left. It’s a very human experience which is bittersweet.

 

Q) How does the video for the track play into the message behind it?

 

A) I wanted to create the idea of inside the photobooth being this fantasy world of joy and love. So, I worked with Matt Harbicht and my twin sister Alix Angelis to create that with stop motion and she actually came up with the idea for having the moving pictures inside the photo frames which is exactly what the song is about – all the moment that you remember when you look at a photo.

 

Q) What is your song writing process? Do you need music before you can create lyrics?

 

A) I’m usually the opposite actually. I usually write lyrics first. Sometimes I’ll have a bit of melody to go with a specific lyric hook and then I build off that, but it usually does start with lyrics or at least lyric concept ideas and I tweak and shape them into the melody as it forms. Although when I’m co-writing, it’s usually music first. So, maybe I’m unusual in that way, but I will say that having the music is great for fleshing out lyrics as long as it has the right vibe for the concept I’m trying to express.

 

Q) How much of hand do you have in the production of your music?

 

A) It depends. Sometimes I’m very hands on, but lately when I’ve been working with Billy Lefler he is usually all in the zone like a mad music scientist creating the track with a bunch of layers that all work together while I’m still working on lyrics if we write together or I sing a scratch vocal and then he goes to work and I’m in the room saying the kind of instrumentation and vibe I like and making requests and sharing ideas. I’ve learned to trust the process with producers I like because if I just tried to micro manage everything, a lot of cool stuff would never happen.

 

Q) What can fans expect from a live Kris Angelis performance?

 

A) Usually, I sing with my twin sister which I love because she’s fun to be on stage with and I love harmonies. I play acoustic guitar and every once in a while, ukulele and piano and I tell little stories about the songs or just my random thoughts between. There will be emotional songs and then laughter and some awkwardness between. Sometimes I unplug and get out into the audience, so we can all see each other better and sing together! On July 21st at the Hotel Cafe, I will be singing with Alix and Jon Huertas from “This Is Us” accompanied by a full band (drums, bass, keys, cello!)

 

Q) How did the EP Pieces That Were Stolen get its name?

 

A) It came from a lyric in “Stained Glass,” one of the songs on the EP. I liked it as a title because it almost exactly a year ago, my car was stolen when I was coming back from being on tour along with all of my instruments, gear, computer, everything. That whole experience had an influence on me as I was writing these songs and also because the songs could be said to be about things that were emotionally taken from me. And this is my way of letting go and taking back the pieces of myself and working toward becoming whole.

 

Q) What songs off Pieces That Were Stolen are you looking forward to performing live?

 

A) All of them! I’m going to be performing all of them and I’m excited to be doing it with a full band, especially having cello on “The Sparrow” and “Bravest.” Strings add so much emotion.

 

Q) What do you hope listeners take away from listening to your new EP as a whole?

 

A) I hope they feel like they are not alone and that they can find some peace and empowerment.

 

Q) How do you plan to celebrate the EP release?

 

A) I’m having the show at the Hotel Cafe and I’ll also be celebrating my birthday at that show! (Actually, there are a bunch of people close to me who have birthdays at the same time!) I’ll share it with people by performing it and there is going to be a photo booth set up at the venue and then I’m sure eating, drinking and merriment! On August 3rd when it drops online to the public, I hope to be celebrating being at the top of the iTunes singer/songwriter charts so I’m working on getting as many pre-orders as possible! It’s there now!

 

Q) Where are some of your favorite places to perform and what makes those locations so significant to you?

 

A) The Hotel Cafe is one of my favorite places because it has a wonderful vibe and always sounds great and its significant because it’s the place that I saw a lot of artists that I look up to when I first came to LA. It was a dream of mine to play there for a few years and I’m so happy to have been brought into the group of artists who get to share their stories on that stage.

 

Q) Who would you most like to collaborate with on a song in the future?

 

A) Hanson, Gregory Alan Isakov, Jeff Hahn, Ingrid Michaelson. Was I only supposed to pick one? I love all of those artists and it would be an honor to get to write with them, but Hanson would be really special even though they aren’t as close to my style as the others just because they were the first band I was a fan of and the reason I started learning to harmonize with my sister and considered that I could make music, too!

 

Q) What album/band are you currently listening to and why do you dig them? 

 

A) Sia’s This Is Acting because it is just full of bad ass songs! Her writing and voice are so raw and passionate, and it makes me feel alive! And Jeff Hahn’s Black Rose Tattoo, which is a very different vibe – American with fiddle and banjo but his voice is raw and emotional in a different way and I love his lyrics and how they capture the human experience of love in a simple yet poetic way.

 

Q) You are a part of social media. Why is that such an important way for you to connect with your fans?

 

A) Social media, especially Periscope, has allowed me to find a community of fans that I didn’t know before and just know me from my music. They are enthusiastic and so supportive and it’s helping me have wider reach so that I can tour. It also allows for me to communicate on a daily basis and give them little peeks into my world and my process which keeps them engaged. It’s fun to have a community where they can talk to each other too rather than just doing a mailing list where everyone is separate.

 

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?

 

A) Thank you!!! I couldn’t do this without you. Literally. I mean I could just sit alone in my room and sing, which is sometimes fun for sure. But I couldn’t put out albums, do shows and make this my career without all of you buying them, sharing them, coming to them and laughing and crying with me! I’m so grateful! My dream is to be able to give back to communities with any success or influence I may achieve.