Welcome to BUZZ, Daniel Angelus! We loved "Myth Calling," and we wanted to ask! What inspired this release, and what story were you trying to tell?
The story behind Myth Calling was the story behind the album the song is from. Seven Love Songs, my new album, will be released on April 16th, 2024, framed as a 1980s experience of synth, pop, and stories. It pays tribute to my childhood as well as my influences. The stories on this album are centered around the difficulties, trials, and experiences you can have in a marriage that eventually ends.
It is my most vulnerable songwriting and is about a long-term marriage I experienced. The record is written from multiple vulnerable perspectives, and Myth Calling is a song about the rumors and rumors of rumors that can surround you when you first meet your new love and how your own experiences can blind you into seeing a new potential love as your everything.
Nothing else matters for some time before reality and life set in. The song frames love as a myth and its main protagonist as a god-like creation. "She's all dressed in white and walks on water, to me."
What was your favorite part of the creative process for this release?
For this release and the other six tracks on the upcoming album, I decided to take my time and work several years on my songwriting. I also wanted to step away from the sound I had created previously, a reverb-heavy mesh of melodramatic experiences, and create something more melodic and tighter.
A sound that was catchy and would make people tap their feet. I wanted to do that while writing about vulnerable experiences and subjects, something I have always done. I worked with a new handpicked production team in Italy to help create the sound using demos.
It has been a tremendous experience and allowed me to mature my songwriting in many ways. My favorite part of the creative process was putting my vocals at the center of melodies and creating memorable hooks. I am proud of how the record sounds and how much fun I had in the studio creating the vocals.
What does music mean to you, and what do you think is the most essential feature for an artist to have?
I began music in 2007 as a form of therapy. I have stacks and stacks of demos of a young Daniel bleeding his heart out and coping with terrible things happening to him. As an adult and 37 years old, by the time the new album was released, music was not just a form of therapy; it was an artistic escape and a wonderful way to express myself to the world.
I am always humbled that people listen to my songs and write to me online. It shows that not only does this music mean a lot to me, but it also means a lot to other individuals worldwide. It brings us together in our traumas, joys, and vulnerabilities. I am an advocate for that.
An artist needs to be genuine and express their creativity with no regrets. Learn and grow in what you do, but never let go of that genuine part of you that you instill in your work. Drive yourself with purpose.
What do you want listeners to feel when they hear your releases?
That's just it. I want people to feel. A majority of people are afraid to feel. It's a challenging thing to experience. We often don't embrace the harsh realities. So, I like to write music that gives you space to feel whatever you need to—a space to express yourself if you find yourself in my lyrics, chords, and expressions. Please, feel with me.
What's next for Daniel Angelus? Can we expect to hear more new music soon, and is there anything you'd like to say to your fans?
Myth Calling is out now, and it is one of the tracks on SEVEN LOVE SONGS, releasing April 16th, 2024. It's a synth indie pop record that goes deeper than expected. I may look at coming out of my space and touring again in the next few years, but I am currently working on new music and seeing how that flows and feels.
Challenging myself with each release has become a healthy and productive obsession. I also did the soundtrack to Mr. Earth, an excellent sci-fi movie on Amazon Prime Video and other platforms. I would appreciate people checking out the movie and listening to the soundtrack on your favorite service. Thank you to my music fans for staying with me all these years.
To the new fans, a warm welcome. Jump on board and embrace the journey with me. I have been able to create the music career I have so far because of my listeners, so thank you for keeping it going. We make a great team!