CAN YOU TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOUR INSPIRATION FOR SINGLE ‘NO PARTY!’

Mostly I had just been going through a really hard time and I use music and songwriting as an outlet for expression. At the time, I been cheated on and lost my job and I guess my confidence took a massive hit. I’m not exactly sure what influenced me sonically, because quite frankly it was a really sad, slow song when I wrote it haha! But sometimes songs demand certain things, and once I took it to the band the tune was given a life and mind of its own and turned into this fun indie rock jam.

WHAT ARE YOUR INFLUENCES AND HOW DO THEY AFFECT YOUR SONGWRITING?

My first reaction is Joni Mitchell, but obviously I don’t really write like Joni. I think maybe I’m emotional in the same ways she seems to be. Similarly, I listen to a lot of Bon Iver but don’t write that way. I did spend a lot of my youth listening to pop, and I think artists like Beyoncé or Ariana Grande have as much purpose and merit as more “respected” artists (so to speak, please don’t hate me Ariana!!!!!). I think the pop element bleeds a lot into the way I write now sonically, and maybe I get a my subject matter/emotion from the artists I listen to now.

WHAT’S THE CREATIVE PROCESS LIKE FOR YOU?

For me it’s a very natural process. As soon as I’m on the guitar songs and words come out basically unthinkingly. It’s almost as if I discover what I’ve been thinking once the words are already out of my mouth. I take a lot of voice notes in random places that turn into songs as well. My last single was one I had taken the original lyrics for down on a voice note in a bathroom in a hotel in Darwin. That’s an exciting way to write because then, at a later stage, you get to sort of fit the puzzle pieces of the song altogether to create something. It’s very fulfilling that way.

IF YOU COULD CHANGE SOMETHING ABOUT THE AUSTRALIAN MUSIC INDUSTRY, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

I’d love to see more female managers, producers, engineers, and sound techs. There are not nearly enough women in control of the sound, making decisions, and filling the vital roles behind the scenes. I also think Australian artists (and probably global artists) are asked to deliver an entire personality online and through social media. I think it makes it hard to focus on writing and creating music when I’m so aware of people’s consumption of me as a person and trying to create a personality to be consumed. The line between my music and myself gets blurred and many solo artists, like myself, feel how that affects our mental health. It means criticism or lack of success always feels personal and I think that takes its toll.

WHAT DO YOU THINK LIFE WOULD BE LIKE FOR YOU IF YOU DIDN’T HAVE MUSIC AS AN OUTLET?

I don’t really have a life without music. I was doing my masters in international law when I realised I could never survive doing a job longterm that didn’t involve me writing songs!! The fact that I define certain years and eras of my life by the songs and albums I was listening to at the time is indicative of the inseparability of my music and life. I know, for example, I had Taylor Swift’s “Red” on repeat during the summer of year 10, a coming of age time. I discovered and became obsessed with Alt-J in my first year of uni while I was entering a totally new phase of life after leavings school. I know every time I feel big emotions, my first instinct is to sit at the guitar and write. Music is completely unavoidable for me.

IS THERE ANYONE YOU WOULD LIKE TO COLLABORATE WITH? WHY?

Oh man, Justin Vernon for sure. He was the most significant musical rebirth for me. I have always wanted to work with him to get a better understanding of why 22 A Million changed my life so much. Maybe it was just timing, but I think Vernon is amazing and I’d love to learn from him!

WHAT’S YOUR ADVICE TO YOUNG PEOPLE WHO WANT TO MAKE A CAREER FOR THEMSELVES IN THE INDUSTRY?

Back yourself!!! Listen to people and understand you can grow from them, but know that you know your musical vision above anyone else.

WHO’S THE MOST INTERESTING PERSON YOU’VE WORKED WITH/MET?

I love Melody Pool. She had a lot of similar mental health struggles to the ones I’ve experienced being in the music industry, but how she looks back at herself during that time of her life is so considered and conscious. She really knows herself, which is why she writes so well. I really love working with her.

FAVOURITE HANGOVER CURE?

I’m boring as hell coz I flippin love fruit when I’m hungover!!! Gimme a fruit smoothie and a Vietnamese iced coffee and I’ll bounce right back.

ANY UPCOMING SHOWS?

Sooo many right now. I’m about to do a little national tour, which is insane that I get to play my songs for people across Australia. So epic!! All the dates below for ya

FRIDAY MARCH 31 | TOP FLOOR, MANDURAH

*SUPPORTING SUNNY DAY

SATURDAY APRIL 1 | HYPERFEST, MIDLAND OVAL

THURSDAY APRIL 13 | CAMELOT LOUNGE, SYDNEY

*SUPPORTING MELODY POOL

SATURDAY APRIL 15 | SMITH’S ALTERNATIVE, CANBERRA

*SUPPORTING MELODY POOL

FRIDAY APRIL 21 | THE BIRD, PERTH

SATURDAY APRIL 22 | GOOD NIGHTS, BUNBURY

SUNDAY APRIL 23 | CLANCY’S, DUNSBOROUGH

FRIDAY APRIL 28 | SIX DEGREES, ALBANY

SUNDAY APRIL 30 | IN THE PINES FESTIVAL, PERTH

SATURDAY MAY 6 | SUGARGLIDER, MELBOURNE

SUNDAY MAY 7 | SHOTKICKERS, MELBOURNE

A Quick Chat with Angie Colman