Angel Olsen is a indie folk singer/songwriter from St. Louis, Missouri. Her music sounds like a mixture of Americana, punk, and at times has a doo-wop sound, like what you might hear in the 50s. Her musical taste was influenced by her foster family that had cared for her since shortly after her birth. Her adoptive parents were well into middle age at the time, and the large gap in years between her and her parents (about 50 years) left an impression. Because there were so many decades of difference between them, she fantasized about what it was like to be young in the ’30s and ’50s.
Olsen later relocated to Chicago, Illinois, began performing in St. Louis coffee shops in her teenage years, eventually branching out and tapping into a network of like-minded artists. Olsen worked with California musician Emmett Kelly as part of his collective the Cairo Gang, singing harmonies on a few songs, then in 2010, released her debut album Strange Cacti. Interestingly enough, it was released on cassette tape (yep, cassette tapes still existed in 2010) and it was later reissued as a 12″ vinyl.
Here’s “Creator, Destroyer”, a beautiful track from Strange Cacti… it has that oldies feel to it doesn’t it?
Half Way Home, a homespun approach somewhere between ’50s country crooners and her indie contemporaries, released in 2012.
This is “The Waiting” from Halfway Home, you can really hear a strong 1950’s influence in this track.
In early 2013, Olsen added drummer Josh Jaeger and bassist Stewart Bronaugh to flesh out her stripped-back sound, which added a brooding, garage rock appeal to her intimate music. Soon after forming the trio, Olsen returned to the studio for her third album, Burn Your Fire for No Witness, which released in early 2014. The record was critically well-received and nabbed her a spot on the Billboard 200.
In“Forgiven Forgotten” you’ll notice a departure from her earlier sound for a more garage rock feel of that third album.
You’ll also probably notice her music videos are inspired from the 40s and 50s era (maybe even a little 60s) – from the clothing she’s wearing to the set design in “Hi-Five” from Burn Your Fire for No Witness.
In 2016, she expanded her sound even more on the fourth LP, My Woman, which has a loose story arc that follows the stages of a doomed relationship, all told from a woman’s point of view. Olsen also expanded her band, and began touring as a six-piece in support of the new LP.
Here’s the track you’ve most likely heard on 106.3 Radio Lafayette – “Shut Up Kiss Me” from My Woman… it’s so catchy!
Angel Olsen must really love that shiny wig – here it is again in the video for “Intern” – another excellent track from her latest album, My Woman.
