Angela Gayle
Interview conducted on September 04, 2020
By Dan Locke
“Angela has a great passion for music and storytelling. Her songs cut deep and run wild with raw emotion. It’s a joy and privilege to work with her.” – Chris Love, Nashville Music Producer
What is your upbringing?
Angela Gayle: My upbringing is considered humble by most. Growing up deep in the country, it consisted of a lot of hard work, in order to get things done that were necessary to living. It also involved discipline in regards to arts. I played music and studied, even if there was a day I didn’t want to. It was structured.
How did you discover music?
I come from a long line of musicians. I remember at a very young age, watching my grandmother play the organ, and my parents listened to every song that existed before the 1960s. I believe the first song I ever sang was “You Ain’t Nothing But a Hound Dog” by Elvis Presley. As soon as I could talk, I was singing as well.
You have learned to play flute, clarinet, percussion and guitar, which did you learn first?
I actually began playing the piano when I was four years old. I learned to play the organ soon after that, and then began to play the flute at around age eleven.
How did you start to write music?
One of my grandmothers was a famous author, mainly of poetry. I learned early to write journals and that sort of thing. With my grandmother’s influence in writing and my parents in music, I guess I’ve always been inclined to write in a song format; or at least in a rhythmic pattern.
How did you get your first guitar, and do you still have it?
My first guitar belonged to my dad, who plays. It was one that he played for most of my upbringing. He gave it to me about a year or two ago. I still have it.
What was your first performance like?
Angela Gayle
My first performance was on the piano when I was four. I remember being in front of so many adults, all staring at me. I was super nervous. My first big performance was at about age ten, in front of over,1,000 people, during a time when I played piano with a jazz band. By that time, though, it felt natural for me to be in front of audiences because I was doing recitals, shows, playing at nursing homes and doing acting.
You have won local and national singing competitions. Do you think this is a good thing for singers to try singing competitions like the Vocal or American Idol?
I think any competition is good. I believe that it can make musicians better. It gives you a gage of where you need to be if you want to progress and are serious about making it a career. Also winning, while it isn’t everything, it does provide a real sense of accomplishment.
What makes a good songwriter?
A good songwriter is someone that can take whatever emotions they are going through, or have experienced, and can translate it through the song. There are so many different ways for people to express themselves through songwriting, however. So, it is difficult to say anyone is “good” or “bad.” If the writer themselves is happy with their work, then it’s good. It doesn’t always matter what anybody else thinks.
What was the title of your first original song? Did you record it?
It’s difficult to say what the title is. It was so long ago. And, I did not record it, but I performed it quite a bit in front of audiences. I just can’t remember the name of it.
How was it to open for The Tennessee Titans and The Nashville Predators. Are you ready for the Super-Bowl?
It was amazing. Watching the unity between the two teams in that moment as I sang. Those were moments in my life that can never be replaced. And I suppose I am always prepared to sing at another game, including the Super-Bowl.
How was it to perform on the Grand Old Opry?
Another amazing experience. I remember being backstage, waiting to go on. There is so much history and so many prolific artists that have been there and stood on that stage. I was honored.
Tell me about your new single “Because You’re A Man”?
I’ve grown up with many male friends who have experienced abuse of all types. I didn’t feel that they, as victims, were being treated the same as females. So, the song addresses equal rights when it comes to this topic. I actually wrote it after a friend told me he was being harassed at work. It was very upsetting to him, the way he was treated when he tried to report it. When it was time to do the video, I struggled with how to put context to the song. The case involving Johnny Depp was ongoing and I felt that he added a dimension to it, which involves the spin of the media and the way that the falsely accused are treated. The courage of what he is doing in trying to clear his name is nothing short of admirable. It wasn’t about money, necessarily, and the media spun it into a couple of brats going at it. I hope that the song shows that he did something much deeper; something more profound.
Have you met Johnny Depp?
I have met him, at a time when I was working in California. I wouldn’t call it a formal introduction, though. I can’t say that it is something he would have remembered. I was a back-up dancer for a popular band at the time. He was around; I had to continue with my job. Very informal.
Have you ever seen him in Alice Cooper band Hollywood Vampires?
I have seen a few video clips. I had a radio tour planned in Europe for this summer and wanted to drop in to a concert. But Covid-19 derailed my tour, as well as the Hollywood Vampires.
What is your favorite track on the album?
It changes back and forth. Right now, it’s “Who’s Laughing Now.”
How do you stay healthy while performing?
The main thing to staying healthy for me in this industry is to take a little time for myself each day. I do yoga, or breathing exercises. But they are both very beneficial mentally, and for stamina.
What are your feelings about streaming music?
I don’t know that I have a feeling about it. I do miss the days of going to the store and seeing a cd on the shelf. Streaming has become the way of life of the music industry. I’m in no place to fight that or not.
Digital vs. vinyl?
Vinyl forever. Vinyl listening is amazing.
I never knew that Hazel eyes changed, until I saw your Facebook post. (Yes, I did a fact check). As you called them mood eyes. What mood are you right now?
Happy with a green color. I believe they change colors according to the colors surrounding me as well. Not just my clothes. But my environment. But those close to me definitely can figure out what mood I’m in based on their color. It’s a vulnerable, and sometimes embarrassing situation that I can’t control. They have a mind of their own.
And what is on your driver license?
My driver’s license says hazel.
Do you feel that the Me-Too Movement has helped female performers?
I believe the intention was there to help all victims of abuse. But, as reflected in “Because You’re a Man,” people have used the #MeToo movement, not as a support system, but as a means to further their own agenda. When a few people do that; they stand in front of the movement itself and falsely accuse someone, it brings victims back to a place we were at before it started, and made it worse. There is a fear of not being believed, or not being treated as a true victim or survivor again, in the entertainment industry and all other industries. The lying, especially from females who weren’t really abused? It also empowers abusive men on all levels to continue being predators.
Do you think kids should go back to school his fall?
I think that kids should be learning this fall in whatever way is best to keep their respective communities safe. The world is on an uncharted course right now and I am in no way equipped to give a proper answer to this conundrum we have found ourselves in.
What song from the past is in your mind right now? Moreover, what is the meaning that song means to you?
I have been listening to a lot of jazz. Billie Holiday has a song called “Solitude.” She says, “I sit in my chair, filled with despair; no one could be so sad. With gloom everywhere, I sit and I stare; I know that I’ll soon go mad.” It’s a stark reminder of the times we are in now. Even though the song was released in the 1950s.
How do you feel the Covid-19 virus going to affect the music business in the future?
Right now, it’s unclear. Venues are tightening up their rules, putting a lot more liability and fees on the performer. Streaming isn’t as lucrative as people may think it is. I believe it’s going to take some time, but Covid-19 will essentially reinvent the music industry and it will rebound stronger than ever.
What have you been doing with your self-quarantine?
I have been writing music, as well as other types of work. I practice with my instruments and vocals every day. I’ve been trying to stay productive. I am also doing a lot of things with acting at the moment.
How do you feel about social media and social distance?
I try to stay off of social media as much as possible because I think it can be very toxic. But I do believe that social media has shown us a lot about what happens when the entire world, essentially, gets bored. Social distancing or staying home is very boring for most people.
95% of people said that they have changed the way they watch television. Which is your favorite streaming channel?
I actually don’t have a streaming television. I have an old-school basic cable television. I keep that off most of the time. But I do enjoy watching movies. Right now, I consider watching movies research for some projects that I have coming up.
Many artists are doing nightly concerts over either YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. What are you planning to do?
I have seen some of that. However, I’m not sure that I will be doing that for the moment. I am planning to prepare; get my album together, and when live concerts start again, I will be ready to get back on stage.
Live Nations just started Live Nation from Home. Which are concerts from artist homes. An all-new virtual music hub keeping fans connected to their favorite artists featuring daily live streams, performances, new music, and more. Do you think it will be possible to make a living doing concerts this way?
I believe it depends on the platform that the artist already has, and how it’s done.
Have you discovered or rediscovered any new hobbies?
I don’t know if it is a new hobby. But I have rediscovered the art of finding solitude in the wilderness. I love to go hiking and exploring like I was able to freely do from such a young age.
What about Holographic concerts in our living room?
I suppose it depends on what type of music someone is doing. It would be difficult for me to do holographic with a mellow piano tune. But maybe if you’re into house music? Go for it! To each their own.
How do you see yourself in the next five years?
I see myself doing something that makes me happy. I wear so many different hats that it is difficult to be very specific beyond that. I just want to be peaceful and happy.
Anything you would like to say in closing.
I want to tell people to please be safe; stay at home if you can and as a world, let’s remember that we are all playing on a team right now. Please reach out to those you care about. Remind the people in your life that they are important. I’d also like to thank those workers that have heroically continued to perform essential jobs.
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