At a recent show celebrating her new genre-bending five-song EP, *Snapshot*, local performer Audio Angel experienced a unique and moving moment on stage at Santa Rosa’s Hook and Ladder Winery.
Speaking by phone, she shared the story of a husband and wife who had wandered into the show, having never even heard of Audio Angel before. They took a seat, and as the performance progressed, Audio Angel noticed the woman was overcome with tears, openly weeping throughout the set. The moment took her aback but also solidified her longstanding belief in the power of creativity and connection.
“I feel like, as Audio Angel, that I am here to serve the music. Whatever is supposed to reach you will reach you during my shows, and I feel like the music and art is here to assist us best,” she says. In times as troubling as these, this statement could scarcely ring more true.
Audio Angel came to the Bay Area in the late ’90s and immediately immersed herself in the vibrant dance party scene. “I went out to a jungle party, and these incredible lady DJs were playing. I was dancing, and they were like, ‘Your energy is so great. You should come MC with us.’ And I’m like, ‘Yeah, what’s an MC?’” she recalls with a laugh. “I just knew I loved what they were doing.”
That same energy pulses throughout *Snapshot* as Audio Angel effortlessly moves through genres like house, dance, gospel, and rock—just to name a few of the influences that come to mind. While some boundary-pushing albums might feel forced or deliberately diverse, Audio Angel’s music feels honest and, as she eloquently puts it, as if she’s truly serving the muse.
After teaming up with the lady DJs, she gradually found her voice as a vocalist and songwriter. “I would go with them to raves. And when we drove around, they realized I would be singing along with the tracks. And they’re like, ‘Wow, you should sing along with yelling,’” she says with a laugh. “Then I got my first official booking at the end of 1997 with them at a party called The Gathering and got up and sang.”
From there, Audio Angel began to soar. In conversation, a recurring theme is her loyalty to the craft while staying open to possibilities. Statements like “Music is my woman, and she does whatever she wants. She tells me what she wants me to do; she is in her own timing” blend seamlessly with a more straightforward look at her artistry.
She explains, “I feel my job is to take risks and make it attractive.” This perspective also speaks to the bustling Sonoma County music scene, which, if one pays close attention, is developing a concerning case of cultural homogenization. Yet, this reality fuels Angel’s motivation to push boundaries with her craft.
To achieve this, she needed a band as diverse and brave as her music. Fortunately, she has found kindred spirits in local favorites: Josh Windmiller on guitar, Nate Dittle on keys, Libby (just Libby) on drums, Zachary Thorne on trumpet, and Dave Rapa on bass.
While Audio Angel keeps busy with music coaching, voice-over work, and some acting, her primary focus is on the EP release on November 11—a date that holds special significance. For those who believe in signs and synchronicities, 11/11 is no coincidence.
“This is intentional,” says Angel. “I’m a hippie, and I believe in angel numbers, and that’s when the universe is taking a picture of your thoughts. That’s what they say.”
https://bohemian.com/audio-angels-latest-ep-snapshot/