Rising Stars: Meet Angela Wright

Today we’d like to introduce you to Angela Wright. 

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Music is a part of each person’s soul and it sure is a big part of mine. I come from the Mountain West, being born and raised in Salt Lake City, Utah. I have always had a deep-rooted love for music and how it connects people from all walks of life. I’ve always been magnetized by how music could capture the moment and a feeling better than just words could. I guess the call of music, is why a girl from the Mountains and Deserts of the West ended up in the humid green South in Nashville, America’s Music City. Music drives my life. 

As a child I was singing all the time, making up songs as I played with dolls and stuffed animals to bring them to life. My mom always knew where I was just by listening for my voice. I was the youngest of 4 and had musical influence from hearing what my brothers and sister would play or listen to, as well as the classic rock of my parents. My family couldn’t help but notice my musical soul and became an amazing support system for me to pursue my passion. I started singing lessons in kindergarten, just to be immersed in music as much as I could. My passion and curiosity for the world of music never faded, resulting in me classically trained in opera, and musical theater. I found every chance I could to be around musicians of all types, spending summers in New York doing musical theater camps on Broadway, and at the Manhattan School of Music. My Saturdays consisted of music and acting, when most of the “popular” kids were on the soccer team, lol. I’ve always been 100% myself; dressing and liking what I like, regardless of what the norm was. I started writing songs based off of the things I was going through, drama at school, boys & family losses. It is my way of self-expression. When people meet me, they always think I’m so happy, bubbly, and what a free spirit I am. My music was where I could put down what I was afraid to say or feel out loud, sometimes not quite so happy and bubbly. 

At 15 I met Graham Russell, of the band Air Supply, at a songwriting masterclass. I had a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to share my music with him resulting from that encounter. We established a wonderful friendship, and mentorship, which we continue today. He helped me record my first 5 songs in a professional studio (Rigby Roads in SLC). I had the amazing opportunity to open for Air Supply when they toured, and that’s when I knew performing live music was for me. 

I have recorded in the studio with other artists, doing musical demo soundtracks, etc. gaining valuable experience doing studio session vocals. This is something that I am super passionate about here in Nashville as well as I get to work with other artists/producers and get to experience their creative process. 

At 17 I auditioned for my absolute dream school, Berklee College of Music in Boston, and was accepted in early action. I spent my freshman year at Berklee majoring in songwriting. It was a dream to be in an environment focused on music with so many people who brought different things to the table and challenged me. It was in heaven on earth. It was such an intensive environment and I learned so much, but that itch to take my passion to the stage kept growing. 

It was a scary jump to go from the traditional role of meeting people in school or at work, to taking on the life of an independent artist alone in a new town at 19, but I felt that it was time to take the next step. Waiting in school seemed to be missing the moment. I then moved down to Nashville in the fall of 2019, getting settled in and finding my way just in time for the world to close down due to Covid. 

I have been releasing solo music and writing as much as I possibly can. Nashville is an active vibrant community for musicians, you are able to immerse yourself in music and its culture virtually all of the time. YOU CAN’T ESCAPE IT! (Not that I’d want to haha) 

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
As a musician, struggles are part of the job, but that’s what makes it that much more interesting, rewarding and personally makes me thrive. Before moving to Nashville, I had never visited the south except Florida and hadn’t considered myself as a country artist, my music is a bit more pop-based, and had thought of Nashville as strictly a place where only country music existed. 

I had formed a band when living in Boston and had decided to move to either LA or Nashville, and Nashville won the draw. Within a short while of moving my band decided to split up. I was lost and confused on what my next step should be. To top it off, the pandemic hit within my first few months. I was starting over not only in a new place but in a new way of life, shut-in, alone and socially distanced. 

This provided me with the opportunity to really pursue my own creative ideas independently, in a new city supporting myself. I knew that whatever I wanted to create and develop was all mine, and I could go as far as my drive and ambition would take me. I took things into my own hands. I started playing guitar solo on stage for the first time for writer’s rounds in Nashville (SCARYYY EEK!). I had to remind myself that I may not be the world’s best instrumentalist but my songs are my truth, and I hope my vocals can convey the message. 

I went through a period of time where I hit a writer’s block, which any writer knows feels like torture. I was beating myself up about everything, and gatekeeping my own ideas so harshly. I was comparing myself to everyone and everything around me. I broke through it one day when all my emotions came flooding out and wrote a whole song in less than an hour. I learned that it was my own self holding me back and nothing else. I also realized that I adore co-writing and working with others. If there is ever a time, I feel like I’m being my own worst enemy, I love to reach out to other creatives to get into a new mindset. So, if you are a WRITER or PRODUCER LETS MAKE MAGIC. 

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
When I talk to non-musicians, they ask what I’ve been up to, or what my hobbies are. Well, my work is music. My hobbies? Well, it’s also music. It’s always about music. My life and love is music. I of course have other hobbies like travel, my hilarious cat, and fashion. But as I explore those outside hobbies, music is still such a strong part of that. My cat sits on my keyboard as I write, I book gigs wherever I travel, and my crazy bold fashion style is part of my identity as an artist. 

I just released a new song, “Love After First Love” recently. It’s a bop I wrote during the pandemic about wondering if there is more out there for me, something I feel so many experienced in the two year… My goal is to invite listeners into an ethereal space to dive into memories and reflection, deep in their soul. Love After First Love acknowledges that first experiences and strong connections often feel irreplaceable. The lyrics give an honest portrayal of my experiences as well as carefully crafted imagery. Sonically, Love After First Love has an element of pop music that mixes acoustic Americana and electronic elements. Bringing a modern feeling with background vocals, live guitars, and catchy synth hooks. 

I’m actively co-writing music for my Artist project as well as for other artists and sync. A dream come true of mine would be to have my music placed in a movie or Tv show. I do session vocals for all sorts of projects, rock, r&b, country you name it. 

I have been performing around town at writer’s rounds, house shows, and some occasional full band shows. I LOVEEE and LIVE for full band shows, but I’m still formulating a band to support my artist project and finding venues that fit my vibe. 

With my music, I hope to help others find themselves as I find myself. Music was my outlet, and I hope to be the voice for anyone else who needs that outlet also. For all those indie kids in their medium-small town who want to be wearing sparkly shoes, drinking tea, and talking music and art with their homies, I’m their girl. What an adventure and challenge it has been, and I know it will continue to be. I’m so excited for the next phases of life, and I hope to have connected with your readers soft spots for independent artists searching to find their footing in this industry. 

If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
When people meet me, they often say I’m down to earth & sweet. What you see is what you get. I’m super vulnerable & open in real life, and I hope that transfers into my music. All of my songs come from personal stories that have themes of liberation, breaking down barriers, moving on, following dreams, and exposing emotions whether they are happy or sad. 

It is important in the music community and especially the Nashville scene to support other artists. It’s not Music City if musicians aren’t sharing and collaborating. Be a genuine person in real life because you never know where that will lead you within your career. I’ve never understood the intense competitive mindset of “we can’t all succeed”. While it may be true that we all won’t be billboard toppers, I think that we all can succeed in different things, and have different definitions of success. We can raise each other up and grow together rather than alone. I’m trying to respect and embody the traditions of Nashville that we all love and cherish like, Song is King, storytelling first, community, and southern hospitality. While also helping to open the flood gates to the crazy exotic authentic diverse styles of music and self-expression… 

I write and release my own songs independently. The vision you see is entirely my own. I run all my socials and try to keep my audience engaged in my lifestyle as a developing artist, as well as my music. 

Some of my defining characteristics are that I have a 4-octave range and love to sing alto and soprano. When doing vocal session work and toplining (aka writing over producers’ tracks) it helps to have a vast tool kit. My appreciation and knowledge for classical and jazz can surprise people when I open up other facets of my musicality showing I am the biggest mellow gold, classic rock, pop hit queen. 

I stay open-minded to trying different types of music in my writing or working with others. 

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: https://www.angelawrightmusic.com/welcome
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/angela_wright/
• Facebook: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6vdWLZ2650vvkCOCdaUFPl?si=wB_2kXfuTZ-3OXfXScQaYQ
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFFlneR5DsvUMf218ow0ISA?view_as=subscriber
• SoundCloud: :https://soundcloud.com/angela-wright-581591731
• Other: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/angela-wright/1241499030

Image Credits
Austin Dellamano
Ty Combs
Sean Kearny