Barcelona-born singer ANGE is back with some exciting new music through the release of her bilingual debut EP, Una Vez Mas. The Sydney-based RnB singer combines the Spanish, Catalan and English languages across the five new songs while bringing forward a tasteful combination of Pop and Latin flavours. ANGE is currently in Europe as she prepares to play shows in Spain. Futuremag Music caught up with ANGE following the release of her latest EP.

FMM: I understand the EP was inspired by a heartbreak you experienced. What’s that process like, trying to convey what you went through into lyrics? Does writing music about these personal experiences help you move forward in a way?

ANGE: Usually when I go through emotional times, lyrics come to me out of nowhere! I still remember the day I wrote the first verse of Res A Dir. I was catching the bus at Central Station in Sydney on my way home after work and it was raining. I felt this rush of inspiration and started writing. For me, writing is a great way to unload and let feelings out. I definitely turn to music for comfort when I’m down. I always think that at least I can write a song about whatever is going on and make use of the tears (laughs). It helps me deal with my emotions, heal and put things behind me. I even analyse lyrics, sometimes months after writing them and I find new meanings which is crazy. They keep on giving.

FMM: In this Bilingual EP, you’ve combined the Spanish, Catalan and English languages. How important do you think bilingual music is? And do you think this is important to be able to share your music to a broader audience as a result?

ANGE: I think it's important for us all to be able to share who we are without limitations. There is no one like you or like me, and there’s beauty in that. I speak three languages and I feel like myself when I use them all. Excluding one would mean not sharing myself fully. Kali Uchis has spoken in the past about how at the beginning of her career her label didn’t want her to release an album in Spanish. She felt like she had to choose between two parts of herself. Thankfully things are changing now with artists like Rosalia and I want to embrace that same movement in Australia. I want to be free creatively and to encourage other CaLD (Culturally and Linguistically Diverse) artists to do the same. I believe the audience will be there to receive the music if it’s true and authentic.

FMM: Your single Qué Pasó was a hit in 2020 and it’s reached over 200,000 streams on Spotify. What’s it feel like to see such a huge number of people have listened to your music, your own creation?

ANGE: Thank you! It’s easy to forget the achievements along the way. It feels great to see that a song has reached so many people. You never know what will happen to a song when you are making it so it’s an awesome thing. As a writer all you want is to reach lots of ears and make people feel things but I don’t like to obsess over numbers. I know a lot of people struggle with this. They define their self-worth based on likes and I think it can be a dangerous thing to pay too much attention to. It’s obviously an amazing achievement to have lots of streams and I’m grateful for every listener, but if any emerging artists are reading this, music is more than your numbers. Focus on your craft, on what you can control and keep celebrating each step of the way.

FMM: Where do you look for inspiration or motivation when it comes to trying to capitalise on a success like this? Do you find song ideas come easy or hard to you; what’s that process like?

ANGE: I tend to go with the flow and make music when I’m feeling it, I don’t like forcing things. I find inspiration everywhere - the lyrics of a song can trigger an idea, a TV series, people watching on the train, walking around in the city, my own thoughts and experiences. Ideas tend to come quite easily to me. I have no problems starting songs. The hard thing is finishing them. It all usually starts with a mood or feeling that triggers me to write. I usually start with the music. I play some chords and let the ideas flow and then I mould them slowly. I love free-styling melodies and creating freely without judging too much at the start.

Motivation is a bit different, it’s very easy to run out of gas. Taking breaks, hanging with friends and reconnecting with myself and my purpose helps me kick into gear.

FMM: You have the opportunity to play in the huge cities of Barcelona and Madrid in the country you were born. Is this a ‘pinch yourself’ moment for you? You must be absolutely buzzing.

ANGE: Yes I absolutely am! It’s really exciting. Especially after almost three years of not visiting! So many people have been following my journey in Spain since the beginning and I’m so stoked to finally be able to play my originals there at some of my favourite venues. Living almost 20,000km and 24hours away makes gigging in Spain often really hard so I’m very grateful to have been able to pull together a world tour like this as an independent artist. I hope this will be the first of lots more.