God is a woman, and Angie Marie Go has some questions for her.
Many young people find themselves jumping from city to city, job to job in search of somewhere to belong. Midway through her 20’s, Angie found herself in the same position. Looking high and low for direction and coming back empty-handed, Angie began reflecting on questions we’ve all had at some point: “What am I doing here? Can I really make a positive impact on the world?”
In her new single Miss Universe, Angie calls out to the very fabric of reality for answers.
Miss Universe is a laid back indie rock jam with a southern twist. Though the subject matter is heavy, the song itself is upbeat and catchy. With infectious melodies and soaring slide guitar licks, this song is the alternative-folk bop you didn’t know you were waiting for.
Miss Universe is the first single from Angie’s upcoming release Volume 1: What Have I to Learn. The record takes its name from the chorus of Miss Universe and is due to be released in the summer of 2019.
In this interview spotlight, I chat with Angie about the latest project, challenges, technology and more.
Full Q&A along with links and music below.
Where are you from and what style of music do you create? (In your own words, not necessarily in marketing terms or by popular genre classifications.)
I was born and raised in Houston, TX, specifically in the area of Alief, Texas. Lizzo raps about growing up there too. After high school I lived in a few different cities including New Orleans. But Nashville’s been my home since 2013. I often tell people in passing that I make sad lady folk-rock-pop music. As an independent artist who grew up making bedroom recordings, I think I’ll always pay some homage to alternative/electronic music that’s more about ambience and mood, but now I also try to honor everything I’ve learned about songwriting and story telling while living here in Nashville.
What led you down this path of music and what motivates you to keep going?
I’ve been writing stories and poetry since I was a kid. I started playing guitar in middle school and that’s when I started mashing it all together into songs. I never thought it would go past my own bedroom until I went to college and started writing with others. I love co-writing. I love having conversations through music. You can learn a lot about a person from how they play their instrument. So needless to say I’ve learned a lot about myself through music. Sharing that music with others is how I express myself. The sound and presentation might change over time, but I’ll always write music because it’s how I understand who I am.
How is this new release different than previous ones? Were you trying to accomplish anything specific?
“Volume 1: What Have I to Learn” is the first of my two part debut album. It’s a collaborative project and I’ve gotten to write with some of my favorite artists and musicians around Nashville. I see it as the first half of the sentence to articulate my debut folk-rock-pop-indie sound. I (half) jokingly call my music sad-lady-rock, but I see my songs as hopeful too. I sing about the parts of life that feel uncomfortable and memorable. Most of all, I want this project to be honest. I want it to help other people feel what they need to feel.
Name one or two challenges you face as an indie musician in this oversaturated, digital music age? How has technology helped you (since we know it does help)?
Balancing the creative and business sides of being an artist. I wish I could spend all my time writing songs and performing with my friends. But to push this project forward and showcase all the hard work we’ve put into this, I have to dedicate time to being my own manager. Plus I have a whole life of friends, family, loved ones, and work outside of my musical endeavors. I’m still trying to find a good balance between all of that. But at least technology makes it easier to fill all of those roles. I can find other musicians online, record our ideas with my phone, and release the finished song with the press of a button The digital era is opening tons of doors that used to keep independent musicians locked out.
What was the last song you listened to?
Rocket Man by Elton John
Which do you prefer? Vinyl? CDs? MP3s?
I like the idea of vinyl, but I don’t own very many. I have a ton of MP3s lost but not quite forgotten on hard drives, old iPods and other ancient relics. I occasionally use CDs in my car. I think I use CDs the most in my life.
How about this one…. Do you prefer Spotify? Apple Music? Bandcamp? Or something else? Why?
I love bandcamp as a platform but I probably use Spotify more.
Where is the best place to connect with you online and discover more music?
Instagram! I’ll have songs trickling out over the next few months, so follow me there or on Spotify to catch them as they’re released.
Website: https://www.angiemariego.com/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7dJqabhk77WuxLSw5fAuSN?si=IJuvIuzDShix2epYr7kt-w
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/angiemariego/
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/angiemariego
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/AngieMarieGo
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/angiemariego
Anything else before we sign off?
Thank you for taking the time to get to know me! I’d like to give huge shout outs to Drew Swisher my producer, cowriter, and bassist extraordinaire who makes music under the moniker Juniper Tapes. He’s been a jack of all trades throughout this endeavor, and his track Selene makes me feel like a nice autumn day.
