With her first two entries; “Don’t Mind Me,” and “Better Than I,” singer-songwriter Angel Chrisztina has already caught the attention of the masses. Meet the talented upcoming singer, with our Angel Chrisztina interview.
While readying her forthcoming, still untitled, debut EP, the 17 year-old New York City based upstart recently unleashed her third bop, “Teenage Time Machine.” We talk to her about the new single and more in our exclusive conversation.
Parlé Mag: Let’s start at your beginning, when did you first become interested in music? And, how did it all begin for Angel Chrisztina?
Angel Chrisztina: I mean, I started taking piano lessons, but then my mom realized that what I truly wanted to do was sing, so she put me in voice lessons as well as a Music School, where I got to perform and sing different genres of music like Rock, Pop and Indie music. I also went to a Performing Arts School, where I sang classical music. When I was nine, which was the first time I performed, was when I truly knew that I wanted to do music for the rest of my life.
Parlé Mag: Now you’re a native of New York City, correct? So growing up who did you consider to be your strongest musical influences?
Angel Chrisztina: Yes, I am from New York, and to be completely honest some musical influences that I have from New York are Alicia Keys and Lady Gaga. I say both of those women because not only are they extremely and immensely talented, but they come from a similar place. When you live in a city with so many people and a place where everyone is busy all the time, it’s hard to truly find out who you are and what you want your niche to be. But when I listen to both of them, I was like, “I wanna do that, and I wanna be able to say that,” I come from a city with so many amazing artists.
Parlé Mag: How do you classify your sound?
Angel Chrisztina: I guess I would say I am very soulful. I have a bit of a Jazz / Blues influence in my voice because I grew up listening to it. However, I also have a lot of R&B influence in my voice because some of my favorite artists are R&B singers. I wouldn’t be able to describe it in one word; I was just be able to say that I have a lot of soul with modern influences.
Parlé Mag: Now let’s hop right into this latest single, “Teenage Time Machine” — Tell me about this particular track.
Angel Chrisztina: I was in the studio with Balewa Muhammad and he had sent me the song, and when we recorded it we went line for line. He then left the bridge open for me to where I could write anything I want, so we just bounced ideas off of each other. It was definitely a great experience being in the studio, and recording this amazing song with such an amazing writer and producer.
Parlé Mag: “Teenage Time Machine” follows on the heels of “Don’t Mind Me” — Talk to me about that single…
Angel Chrisztina: I feel like “Don’t Mind Me” was really a summer song; it was like such a vibe, and it’s very fun. It’s supposed to be the type of song that you listen to when you’re doing your make-up or when you’re out with your friends, or even if you’re feeling yourself and you need like an extra boost of confidence. I feel like “Teenage Time Machine” has a deeper meaning, but still has that fun sound to it. “Teenage Time Machine” is the type of song when you wanna experience nostalgia, and reflect on the past when you were younger.
Parlé Mag: As a songwriter, when you sit down to pen your lyrics where do you draw inspiration from?
Angel Chrisztina: I take a lot of inspiration from Ms. Lauryn Hill and Amy Winehouse, because I feel like both of those artists were completely and utterly honest in their music. When I write a song, I try to be fully transparent about what I was going through or what I wanted it to be about… that way the fans, and the people that are listening, are able to relate to it.
Parlé Mag: What do you hope fans takeaway from your music?
Angel Chrisztina: I want people to be able to relate to my music because I’ve gone through so much, and I know I’m not the only one. Whenever people listen to my music, I want them to be like, “I’ve been there, too!” And, I’m not alone.
Parlé Mag: If you could collaborate with any one artist, living or dead, who would it be and why?
Angel Chrisztina: I would say Freddie Mercury because he has one of the best voices I’ve ever heard in my life, and I would fan girl so hard.
Parlé Mag: If you could play any venue in the world, which one would you choose and why?
Angel Chrisztina: I would wanna play at Radio City because it’s in my hometown, and because I’ve gone there when I was little to watch the Rockettes, and I was always like, “I wanna perform there and be on that stage so bad.” Also, so many legends have performed there and it’s so iconic, so I feel like it would just be the most full circle moment.
Parlé Mag: On a more serious note, are you happy with the current state of R&B?
Angel Chrisztina: I think right now it’s a bit more about social media than actual music. People seem to be more concerned about the artist’s life than the content that they’re putting out, which is a bit disappointing. However, I would never say that R&B is in a bad state. I just think that there isn’t that much hunger and passion in the industry as a whole at the moment.
Parlé Mag: Do you have any other outside / additional (future) aspirations, maybe even completely away from music?
Angel Chrisztina: When I get to where I wanna be, I definitely want to open up a program where people who are less fortunate, are able to have vocal lessons or guitar lessons or piano lessons. This is because I was fortunate enough to have my mother be able to afford voice lessons in music school, and I would never be able to be where I am today without spending a lot of time working on my voice and my art. And, there are a lot of people with the same potential that I had who don’t have the opportunities to go to special programs or have lessons.
Parlé Mag: To date, what have been your biggest career moments, at least thus far anyway?
Angel Chrisztina: When my first song “Better Than I” reached 100,000 streams on Spotify. Also, when I officially finished my EP because it was a long time in the making, and a lot went into it. I’m very proud of that for when it’s gonna come out. Also, the fact that I released three singles, and they’re all doing well is just crazy and I am extremely lucky and happy at the feedback I have gotten from those songs.
Parlé Mag: Please discuss how you interact with and respond to fans…
Angel Chrisztina: I post a lot on Instagram and I try to be myself 1000% on Instagram because I have noticed everybody kind of filters themselves, and tries to act like they’re perfect all the time, but through my music and through my social media my fans know that I am completely myself all the time because if I’m not myself, who else can I be?
Parlé Mag: What is your favorite part about this line of work? Your least favorite? And, why?
Angel Chrisztina: My favorite part is being able to perform and create, and have people give me feedback so I can be better. Also, working with seasoned professionals is amazing and always a great experience. I think my least favorite is the constant need to prove yourself, whether it’s a performance, whether it’s a meeting, you always have to pitch yourself, which can be exhausting at times but it is necessary.
Parlé Mag: What advice would you have for someone wanting to follow in your footsteps?
Angel Chrisztina: I’d say to definitely practice, practice, practice because that’s the only way you can get great. Also, you need to bet on yourself and not listen to anyone who’s trying to bring you down for what you wanna do. Lastly, don’t let fear stop you from what you want to do, whether it’s release music, whether it’s produce it; don’t be scared, just do it.
Parlé Mag: Looking ahead, say five or maybe even ten years from now, where do you see yourself?
Angel Chrisztina: I see myself selling out, arenas, I see myself collaborating with my favorite artists, and I see myself being content with my career, and being happy and being able to take care of the people that took care of me.
Parlé Mag: What do you feel will be the key to your longevity?
Angel Chrisztina: I wanna make music that you could listen to in 10 years, and not be sick of it. I feel like that’s the key to longevity in any artist; it’s making music that can be played in years time and still be loved.
Parlé Mag: As for the immediate, what’s next for you, Angel?
Angel Chrisztina: I’m releasing a new music video soon for my single “Teenage Time Machine.” I’m performing at the Apollo for Amateur Night, and I’m putting together my EP, which will come out next year.
Parlé Mag: You appeared on Amateur Night at the Apollo back on October 18th — How did this gig even come about? And, for someone who has yet to experience you LIVE, what would you tell that person can be expected?
Angel Chrisztina: My mom came back home one day and told me that she had signed me up for the auditions. So about a month after she told me that, we stood on the line and I auditioned. Thankfully, got in, haha!
Parlé Mag: Any “parting” words for our readers?
Angel Chrisztina: Listen to your heart, and don’t let anyone weaken your passion.
Stay Connected with Angel Chrisztina
Instagram: @angelchrisztina
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