Interview With An Outlaw, Angel White

Texas native, Angel White, is the outlaw in country music we didn’t know we needed. Borrowing musical inspiration from varying genres, White creates an open frontier of vulnerability, one the cowboy must trek alone. “GHOST OF THE WEST: VOLUME 1” is a collection of new-age folksy tunes that hurt as good as they sound. In this personal interview, White speaks with Josey Records to discuss his debut album...

So I know you’re not big on answering general questions that can be found on google, so I’m just going to jump in and start with your music. [Laughs] yeah. Well, if that’s okay? No, that’s great.

 So, I did a little bit of research, and you’ve said previously that your debut album was never meant to be a “country album”, but more of a reflection of you. Can you talk a little bit about what that means? Well, what I was working on prior to the album was, was just a mixture of everything I was inspired by. I mean, I’m from the country, so it’s not like making what I did is out of character or context of myself; I was just inspired by different things. I didn’t know how to consolidate everything and let it live in one world. I didn’t live sonically in one place. I started leaning into a warmer feel. That’s when I wrote “Outlaw”. My buddy was like ‘Just lean into it, dude’, and then it came out.

 You would say it’s more of like an extension of you and your personality, not necessarily an aesthetic that you chose? Yeah, yeah for sure. I mean, I was wearing a cowboy hat before I started making music. [Laughs] Right, right. 

Well, there are definitely some Americana/folk influences in your music, as you discussed. Are there any particular artists you took influence from or that inspired your sound? Oh man, that’s a long list. [Laughs] Nah, but from the jump, Bon Iver, Frank Ocean, Erykah Badu, Third Eye Blind, My Bloody Valentine, Charlie Pride, James Brown... Uh...who else? Ray LaMontagne, also a favorite. Those are probably the most recognizable to me from a young age, when I realized I like music. It’s a mix of genres? Oh yeah, it’s everything. Growing up, my dad played everything. So, do you think that’s where you got your eclectic taste from, your dad? For sure. He definitely allowed me to be like ‘I can listen to this, I can listen to that’, ya know? One after the other. Right, not confined to one genre.

 I listened to “GHOST OF THE WEST: VOLUME 1”, and this was my assessment. I felt that the lyricism overall was devastatingly gentle, like something fragile. I was wondering if this album came from a place of hurting or of healing? It’s kinda everything. Those songs are, like you said, “devastatingly gentle”. The things I’m saying are general, in the sense that I’m creating a connection with a person. I think this first part is a nice intro to what people will get with “VOLUME 2”. Sorry, I started rambling and lost the question [Laughs]. [Laughs] No, no. That was great. So, you draw a lot from personal experience, or do you think of a theme? I would say personal experience. I’ve written from another perspective, but not often.

What does “2733” mean? [Laughs] Well, they’re tattoos that I have. I was obsessed with the “27 Club” for awhile, and then realized I didn’t want to die at 27. The “33”, March 3rd, 2015, I wrapped my car around a tree and I was untouched. Third month, third day. The numbers have always stuck with me. But, I got matching tattoos with this girl, and that’s how the song came about. Well, I did a little research and found that “2733” are Angel numbers. Yeah, for sure. It’s crazy how it’s all connected. I don’t know if you planned that or you’re just that good. It’s all connected, it really is.

 I wanted to talk about one of your songs, “CALL YOUR GRANDMA”. It’s reminiscent of Frank Ocean’s “Be Yourself”, and I know you’re a big fan of Blonde. Was that reference intentional? I think it was just real. It was just a voicemail from my grandma. It’s a privilege to be able to get those. People don’t get them anymore, or never got them. It’s a reminder, I think.

 What does an “Outlaw” mean to you? [Laughs] Well, I’ve always said sometimes an outlaw is just a brokenhearted cowboy. He’s actually not this bad person, just heartbroken.

 Let’s shift a little bit and talk about you as a person. Why did you choose the name “Angel”? It feels almost like an extension, or connection between you and your music. Yeah, ya know it’s exactly that. You get this idea, like when you hear “Angel”. The place that it’s at. There’s also the recurring statement, even before knowing my name, ‘Oh, you sing like an angel’ or ‘You have the voice of an angel’. And I’m like, ‘Huh funny enough’ [Laughs]. So that comes into play, knowing the connotation of the name. Also, just angels in life. I’ve had encounters with the supernatural. For me it’s real. So, that’s where that comes from. “White” is my family’s last name. 

When you’re not on tour, what are you doing? I’m either at home playing records, playing guitar, or...This morning I was building rock, you know the little rock stacks? That’s what I did this morning [Laughs]. It sounds therapeutic, so I’m all for it. Very, very. And then you know, playing pool. Typical cowboy activities, right? [Laughs] Typical cowboy things. The great American bar scene.

You mentioned this just a second ago, and we are a record store, so I have to ask: what are your top 3 albums of all time? Woah...um. “My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy” by Kanye [West]. Um...”Endless” by Frank [Ocean]. And...probably “Mama’s Gun” by Erykah Badu.

Photo courtesy of Angel White