DCWS's Exclusive Q&A With Pop Singer-Songwriter Kris Angelis

Kris Angelis is a LA based singer-songwriter, originally from Florida, who expresses the inexpressible in her own unique style, indie pop with a little southern roots that draws inspiration from Brandi Carlile, Ray Lamontagne, Taylor Swift, Hanson, The Lumineers, Elton John, Ingrid Michaelson, Sara Bareilles, and many more.  Her latest project, a 3-track EP entitled "Heartbreak Is Contagious" is being released as singles, with the latest being 'BUILT THIS HOUSE', which was recently served as our DOPE Song of the Week. After reading our exclusive interview with Kris, enjoy her Soundcloud playlist below.  

Tell us about your upcoming EP "Heartbreak Is Contagious" which drops on Oct. 31st. What can we look forward to with this project?

I'm releasing it in singles. The first track "Heartbreak Is Contagious" came out on Sept 19th and was included in Relix's Magazine's "Women Who Rock" CD sampler. The second single is the one that comes out on Oct 31st. Its called "Built This House" and its about the metaphorical house that is created for a relationship - how each memory and shared experience are the building blocks and how when it ends it can be like being trapped in that house with the ghost of the relationship and the struggle of losing yourself to that. The last song is called "Kevin Bacon," its scheduled to come out on December 12th, and is about the happy feeling at the beginning of love or celebrating. It's called Kevin Bacon because it references the "Kevin Bacon moves" from Footloose and I had some fun hiding some Kevin Bacon movie titles in the lyrics. I wrote all three songs with Alexander Cardinale and Morgan Taylor Reid and Morgan did an awesome job producing them. This was a new way of writing and definitely a step towards the pop side production wise for me - it was a little scary at first but thats where great stuff comes from and I love the result!

Following up on the last question, what are you most proud of with this EP?

I guess I would say I'm proud of going out of my comfort zone and opening up a bigger musical arena for myself.

How has your experience growing up in Florida on a farm, with a twin sister, affected you as an artist and songwriter? 

It definitely exercised my creativity because we had a lot of space to explore and only 2 channels on the TV. So we grew up on our parents records (Beatles, Eagles, Platters, Archies, Elton John, Strauss waltzes and more) and our grandparents VHS tapes of Roger's and Hammerstein and other musicals. So that gave me a basic enjoyment of music and harmony. I asked my mom if I could play instruments and be in choir and in the school plays because it looked like so much fun in those movies! Another thing that came from growing up in that environment is that there can sometimes be a slight twang to the way I sing and I've been told that my songwriting has a story-telling quality to it that comes from listening to folk and country music. 

You've played at several great festivals including SXSW, MondoNYC, and NAMM; how excited are you to be touring in support of your new EP? What cities can we look forward to seeing you?

I'm so glad to be playing with something new to promote and I'll be coming to San Francisco on Oct 18th - I've never played in that city before! I also have a show in LA at The Mint on Nov 15th, and will be joining a few festivals: Mesa Music Fest on Nov 11th, Anaheim and Park City for Sundance in January, and the Millenium Music Conference in Harrisburg, PA in Feb. and possibly NYC. That's as far as I know.

What will you be doing on October 31st, the day of your EP's release?

I'll probably be doing what a lot of people are doing and dressing up and going to a Halloween party! I need to figure out my costume!

What is your favorite song to perform live?

My new favorite song to perform live is "It's Gonna Be Alright" because its fun and happy and I get to play ukelele and can usually get the crowd to sing along on the last chorus! 

Congratulations on the LA Music Critic's Awards for "Heartbreak Is Contagious" as the Best Female EP; what does this accolade mean to you?

It is very encouraging, especially being among the other nominees whom I admire. 

Connect with Kris Angelis: Website   Twitter   Instagram   YouTube