Reflections with Angel Olsen
- Mary Pat Abruzzo
- Mar 26, 2020
- 3 min read
Angel Olsen discusses her stunning new album, All Mirrors, self care, and confidence as a female artist.
Mary Pat Abruzzo
Angel Olsen’s voice pushes through cold air to greet my call with a warm hello. Catching her at her tour stop in Madison, Wisconsin, in the midst of harsh winter weather she comments on the universal struggle of looking cute but also layering on jackets to stay warm. Angel Olsen recently released her fourth album, All Mirrors on October 4th and is now sharing her sounds on tour throughout the US and Europe.
All Mirrors, is a personal album, diving deep into self reflection. Although Angel Olsen doesn’t believe the meaning of the album title is all that deep. “It wasn’t really meant to be this thing that was super intellectual,” she laughed. Out of all the songs on the album All Mirrors seemed the most encompassing and powerful. “The record is about self reflection, change and identifying with yourself in a different way.”
Chicago is where Olsen started. Her early work consisted of spare, acoustic songs but grew increasingly dramatic, making bigger sounds with each album release. Now the 32-year-old has become established in the indie-rock music scene, releasing her most powerful album yet. This album was different from previous work as her usual process of creating an album is always organized with a backing band. She explained that this album was more difficult and more personal, working with collaborators like John Congleton, Jherek Bischoff and Ben Babbitt to create the sounds she imagined. “It was like learning a new language,” Olsen explained. Humming or playing something on a keyboard to communicate what she wanted, she attempted to create the sounds she envisioned in her mind. For her fourth album she wanted space to take total creative control.
An acoustic version of her album is set to release. Olsen recorded the acoustic version of All Mirrors first and originally planned to release both albums together. “I thought it would be more interesting for people to look back at where the song started,” Olsen explained, choosing to wait to release the acoustic version. “It allowed me to have a version of everything in the rawest form, the way I intended it.”
Releasing an acoustic version would also give her a chance to perform her songs solo again. Reflecting back on her career, she believes a lot of it was focused on getting bigger and making bigger sounds, possibly neglecting her solo work. She is excited to share this experience with fans on stage, “With solo performing I get to relax more into my singing,” Olsen explained. Although when Olsen plays with her band she is able to create something bigger. “It feels really good to be connected to a group of people, find a rhythm with them, and create something big with them and epic with them.”
From the start, Olsen has been able to connect with fans in a deep and emotional way. “I think all music can be healing for anyone with mental illness.” Her lyrics and sounds evoke feelings in people. This is a way she can connect with fans and they can connect with her. “They're not feeling isolated and I'm not feeling isolated,” she explained. She believes that this allows her to create a space of connection and support.
Looking at female artists trying to make it in the music industry, Olsen gives simple words of wisdom. “You have to walk in there like you own the place,” she laughed. She explains that if you don’t believe in yourself, no one else will believe in you. She also gives a lot of credit to loved ones for encouraging her to pursue music.
Her time on the road can be rewarding but also can also be draining. “It's hard to balance health when you are traveling so much,” Olsen explained. Although she gains this balance by finding time for herself. One way she does this is through running but as the winter weather chases her inside she does yoga or uses the gym to relieve stress and sweat. Olsen also explains that her crew makes touring a lot more enjoyable, sharing that they watch scary movies together or have pizza parties during off time.
Catch Angel Olsen’s All Mirrors tour when it comes to San Diego on December 3rd at The Observatory North Park.
Angel Olsen with Vagabon
Tue Dec 3 2019
8:00 PM (Doors 7:00 PM)
The Observatory North Park
2891 University Avenue
San Diego, CA 92104
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