Q&A: ANGELI

Getting to know London-based alternative pop artist ANGELI

Known for taking a punk approach to pop music, ANGELI takes sociopolitical ideas and turns them into fun, danceable songs. On stage, she mixes comedy, performance art and drag to create a safe space where outsiders feel right at home. Calling herself the “weird kid” who never fit in, she now owns that identity as an artist who stands apart from the norm. As our competition winner, ANGELI is ready to share her unique and exciting sound with us.

DNü: How did you get started?

A: I’m the type of person who needs to be held accountable otherwise I won’t finish a song. In this case I had loads of unfinished demos but no idea of how a session worked and how to finish these songs when first starting out. So, I got into some songwriting camps, flexed my songwriting muscles, worked out my strengths and weaknesses in a group and started forming a team around me. Through work and these songwriting camps I met my now songwriting & producer partner and the rest is herstory!

DNü: Do you come from a musical background?

A: Funnily enough I don’t and I shout the loudest about this – my family is quite academic and I’ve followed a traditionally academic path myself, begrudgingly working up the corporate ladder before deciding I’m sick of living to work and want to pursue my dreams instead. I’ve been learning guitar and piano, theory as well as training my vocals for a few years now. I am a huge advocate to normalise people coming from regular backgrounds – your dad doesn’t have to be a world famous jazz singer for you to make music.

DNü: Who were your favourite artists growing up? 

A: Despite me making alternative pop today, I am an emo girlie at heart. My favourite of all time was and still is Everything Everything. Back then it was Red Hot Chili Peppers, Blink-182, My Chemical Romance, Paramore, All Time Low to name a few. If it was on Kerrang or NME, it was my fave.

DNü: As an unsigned artist, what’s the most DIY or unconventional thing you’ve done to get your music heard?

A: Introducing a simple concept of a blonde Karen wig has been a game changer to get people to double take any time I promo a song ngl – the wig is so bloody unhinged but it works !

DNü: If your next single had to be named after a fast-food menu item, what would it be and why?

A: If my next single was a fast food item it would be an over the top burger with lobster bits and edible glitter. It would be served with one lonely chicken nugget and tap water in a champagne flute (that’s some big brain energy right there)

Catch ANGELI performing at our debut indoor festival this September. Tickets are on sale here.