ASBO Meets: Angeloumae

Angeloumae Uncovered

From modelling her way through ASBO to now being one of London’s rising talents, Angeloumae is an artist that you definitely do not want to miss out on. The 22-year-old Filipino born singer-songwriter sets the vibe with her latest release “Gyara”, it shows uniqueness and personality with a little Angeloumae twist and of course we love to see it. There is more to her music than just a vibe, it’s a form of expression and a creative connection that makes her genre of music “uncategorised”.

When did you start creating music?

My earliest memory of ‘making a song’ is when I was maybe 7 or 8 going through family problems. I remember I secretly made a recording on my mum’s flip phone crying and singing my heart out, wishing she would find it and looking back that was my way of communicating to her how I felt. I also always had karaoke around me, growing up being Filipino – I grew up singing big songs by Whitney Houston, Celine Dion, Beyoncé etc. I realised I had a natural talent in music when I would write songs on the piano and play it in secondary school to my friends and teachers. I remember evoking emotions from them and even made some teachers cry. Some of my friends would remember the songs years later, word for word, even when I forgot about the songs. It was from that I knew I could make catchy, memorable songs but also had the talent to make people emotional.

What first got you into music and what drew you to the field?

What drew me in was how you can feel so connected to a song depending on whatever you’re going through in life. I remember my mum used to repeatedly play albums like Dangerously In Love by Beyoncé and Songs In A Minor – Alicia Keys, when I was very little, and it always stuck with me.

Having already worked with ASBO in 2017 for one of your first modelling gigs, where has your path taken you ‘til now? Tell us your story?

One of my first modelling jobs, I got into doing extra work for films like “Yardie” directed by Idris Elba and modelling and doing music videos for artists’ such as WSTRN. I think that was the first-time people recognised me in a video and were messaging saying they saw me in it or congratulating me too. When I wanted to take my music more seriously, I decided not to continue modelling/being in music videos because I wanted people to know me for my music more than anything else or for people to be like ‘I know her from this…’

I spent a lot of time experimenting with sounds and writing A LOT of songs. My team, who are an absolute blessing, from the start was very adamant on me writing all of my own music and not to depend on anyone else to write for me. In this process, I caught myself getting stuck on writing a lot of mellow, love songs all the time from the aspect of being heartbroken and being a victim, therefore I had to get out of that habit and challenge myself to tell stories through my songs.

Who are your musical inspirations?

My biggest music inspirations would definitely be Beyoncé, as a whole artist and how detail orientated, she is in everything she does. I have massive respect and love for Rihanna and her branding. Also, artists like Brandy, Kanye’s My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, Last Train to Paris by Diddy-Dirty Money.

What is your process when making music – what inspires you? Do you have some sort of routine that you have when creating?

When creating, my team and I usually find beats first that we get inspiration from and I will hide away on my own and do different takes and freestyles over and then start properly writing from there. I also usually do more than one song at a time so there might be 3 to 5 that I am working with at the same time. I don’t like spending too much time on a song and usually know from the start if I like it or not.

Your most recent release was “Gyara”, tell us more about it, how did it come about, what is the meaning behind it?

My latest single “Gyara” was written during lockdown, the meaning is “Gala” in Japanese. I wrote it with the intention of wanting the listener to feel or imagine as if they were out somewhere in summer and it’s hot out and they meet someone. Bringing summer vibes indoors! We also wanted to film a visual for it as we haven’t put a music video out yet, so I found Meeks + Frost (the directors), I already knew what I wanted the visual to look like, so I sent them a mood board and my ideas, my creative team also helped me put together looks that fit each scene.

Have you got any collaborations lined up, if not who would you like to create music with?

Right now, I haven’t got any collaborations yet but definitely would love to start! I would love to collaborate with Bree Runway; I admire her artistry and she is just in her own island and lane. I also would love to collaborate in the future with artists such as Pusha T, Kendrick Lamar, Kojey Radical – I’ve got a long list.

Are you working on any new songs?

I find myself always working on new songs; I already am recording songs for my second project and holding onto songs for future album releases. My next single “Danceforme” will be released very soon and I also have more singles planned to drop before my project “MALDITA” and for after. I am building a vault.

Has Covid-19 taken a toll on being an artist?

I think for many artists, it has had an effect as they can’t get in-studio or perform live. Personally, for me I like recording from home as much as I miss being in the studio, I am very comfortable in my own space.

If you didn’t become an artist, what would you be pursuing?

If I wasn’t an artist, I would definitely still be doing something creative as I’ve always been into the arts. I’ve just finished designing my first collection of my womenswear brand and have been planning the execution of this. I have a passion for interior designing, sketching and painting too.

What is the best advice you would give to someone who is looking to be in the same industry as you?

The best advice I would give to someone who is looking to be an artist is to DO YOUR RESEARCH ABOUT THE BUSINESS, as a lot of people will try to play you. FIND A GOOD TEAM that will help and support you, but allow you to create freely. TAKE TIME IN FIGURING OUT YOUR BRANDING. A lot of people can sing, but branding is KEY, what makes you different or stand out? What message are you trying to give to people? Try to be involved in all aspects of your art and always plan ahead.