One of our favorite things to do is to interview indie artists, and Kris Angelis is one of our favorites. We got the chance to preview a portion of her new EP about a year ago, and can hardly wait for the completed EP to be released on June 2. Click on the presale link here. The first ‘draft’ already won the “Best EP (female)” LA Music Critic Award for the first half of 2016. Consequently we had to sit down with Angelis and find out the details. Hope you enjoy our talk – we definitely enjoyed it.
IVB: Why did you wait so long to release Heartbreak is Contagious to digital platforms?
KA: I had the album done a while ago and I was waiting before releasing t. I was trying to see if I could get a placement on a TV show to get the album known. I did get the Optimus placement and put the title track up on iTunes as a single. I was also working on the “Kevin Bacon” song and trying to get him into a music video. I talked to him at Sundance and asked him to be in my video in a cameo role. There are still so many things being done to get this EP ready for placement. I’m hoping that this will be an exciting new thing for everyone with the new song I recorded for the EP.
IVB: What have you been doing since Heartbreak is Contagious was first released last year?
KA: I’ve been working on getting representation for licensing, getting co-writes, and advertising. Made a music video for the title track, which was released as a single. The song also won first place in the International Acoustic Music Awards, and “Built this House” is a finalist in the International Songwriting Competition. I’ve reach the top 15 in voting. I’ve done some limited touring at events like NAMM Winter show in Anaheim and several festivals including Mondo, as well as in NY and along the east coast. I also did the Mesa Music Festival in Arizona. I’ve also started setting up house concert tours that enable me to garner new fans that are unfamiliar with my music.
IVB: Do you prefer acting or singing?
KA: I really enjoy both because they are similar but different. I truly love the interaction with the audience when I’m singing. With acting, I get to embody someone different, but I get to be myself with music, which makes me enjoy it a bit more. There is nothing wrong with escaping but for me there is more freedom when I’m writing or recording a song. Film also requires more resources to get your content out and do what I want as opposed to just writing and recording a song. I do love acting and some things have come up that I can’t talk about yet.
IVB: How can your fans get involved with the success of your new release?
KA: The current plan is to sell 1000 copies of the EP between May 12 and June 2. The importance is that it will automatically put us on the iTunes charts upon release ,which will put it in front of more industry people. In particular I am trying to get on the Billboard Heatseeker chart. So I’m asking my fans to purchase my EP, either for themselves or to give to someone else, and share the link to the presale with their friends. I would like them to reach out and encourage their friends to get involved. Please post about the presale on social media, including their own personal touch. I believe that truly makes a huge difference. They can also follow me on Spotify, stream the songs and add them to their playlists.
What makes this EP so unique is that tit tells a cohesive personal story. It tells my story of hurt, sorrow, hope and joy. It is for anyone who has ever been in love, to encourage them in their struggle. During our launch party on May 12, I’m going to play the songs, tell stories about them and encourage my fans to not give up. I want them to know that they should just let go cause it’s not their fault, but allow their hearts to be open and available for whatever may come in the future.
If they join the mailing list at my website, they will get a link to the launch party at 7 p.m. PDT tonight (May 12). They can also get involved by becoming one of my supporters on Patreon.
IVB: What are your future plans?
KA: Hoping to make a music video for “Kevin Bacon” as well as other songs. I would love Kevin Bacon to be a part of it, but I’m doing the video either way. I want to do more house concerts and touring, as well as put together my management, licensing and PR team, which will help to further my career. I would also love to go on tour with a national act that will expand my fan base.
IVB: What social media do you use?
KA: I primarily use Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube, but have recently begun branching out with Busker, Periscope, live streaming, and Spotify.
