After a period of rare releases, 2016 and 2017 has been very productive years for our featured artist Kris Angelis. And, as so often in arts, a heartbreak, as painful as it can be, can open new doors and release energy.
A new Adventure
Kris wrote and produced the songs for the EP Heartbreak Is Contagious in collaboration with Morgan Taylor Reid and Alexander Cardinale. Much more, she was stepping into a new adventure with the recordings. The new songs have the same emotional power as Kris’ earlier music, but with a new infusion of energy.
Heartbreak is Contagious explores what happens when love ends in pain. “When you’re brokenhearted it can literally feel like your heart is not working properly. You can’t really love anyone, including yourself, which can lead to you breaking someone else’s heart. But also included is the idea that you can let go – that sometimes heartbreak is just a thing that happens and it’s nobody’s fault.”
Heartbreak as a continuing Theme
Heartbreak is a continuing theme in the song Built This House. “The house in this song can be a literal place you built to live with someone, but it’s more about the metaphorical space you built for your relationship.” Those metaphorical bricks and floorboards are even more poignant when the relationship is over. “When it ends, you’re in that time where everything reminds you of them. You’re surrounded by it, and it can feel like a prison. The song definitely indulges in a feeling that most of us can relate to, but it’s also about being able to see outside of it – you can still see the sun out of those windows.”
The third song, Kevin Bacon, is as bright and foot-tapping as the others are soulful and moving. But that doesn’t mean it has nothing in common with the other songs. “It’s just as cathartic as the others! You’ve got to be able to feel good, to go out and have fun, even in the times you’re upset. It’s about whatever makes you feel good, whether it’s new love, or achieving something, or just dancing.”
Venturing into new Areas
The process of writing and recording these songs has been a whole new experience for Kris. “It’s been different and scary and fun. I’ve been pushed out of my comfort zone in so many ways, from the three of us sitting down and writing a whole song in one day, to stretching my voice and playing with genre. I’m not leaving anything behind but I’m venturing into new areas, and I’m very excited about it.”
The EP landed in the Top 10 of the iTunes Singer-songwriter chart. Additionally, the 2016 LA Music Critics Awards awarded it in Best Female EP. Also, the single is featured on Relix Magazine’s first-ever Women Who Rock sampler CD in their September/October 2016 issue. Throughout Season 2 of AwesomenessTV’s show Guidance, you can hear it as well. Furthermore, the 13th annual International Acoustic Music Awards awarded Kris in Best Female Artist. Finally, Kris is a finalist in the International Songwriting Competition.
Buy the Heartbreak Is Contagious EP from iTunes.
Do also visit Kris’ YouTube channel for more videos.