The Angels of Light
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The Angels of Light is a musical entity formed in 1997 by singer Michael Gira after he disbanded Swans, the group he’d founded in 1982. The band has marked a distinctly different style for Gira since he left Swans, most noticeably being musically more melodic and less brutal than his previous efforts, though no less emotionally draining.
The Angels of Light include many New York City collaborators, including Dana Schechter of Bee and Flower, Kid Congo Powers of The Cramps, Larry Mullins aka Toby Dammit, Bliss Blood of The Moonlighters and Pain Teens, Thor Harris of Shearwater, and most recently the Brooklyn band Akron/Family.
Gira talks about the the Angels project :
I write the songs on acoustic guitar, then gather musicians and friends, and build up the orchestrations with them in the studio and in live performances. I guide the process, but solicit their creative contributions actively. Each recording contains the contributions of an ever-changing plethora of amazing musicians, whom I thank here heartily!
After many years (too many to comfortably contemplate!) of dwelling on “sonic overload” with Swans, I now concentrate on augmenting the songs I write with orchestrations that support the basic song, rather than the sound itself taking over.
My goal is to achieve the same sense of magic I experienced as a child listening to Burle Ives recordings of Brer Rabbit and other such marvels, including the early Disney children’s records I listened to long ago.
The Angels of Light include many New York City collaborators, including Dana Schechter of Bee and Flower, Kid Congo Powers of The Cramps, Larry Mullins aka Toby Dammit, Bliss Blood of The Moonlighters and Pain Teens, Thor Harris of Shearwater, and most recently the Brooklyn band Akron/Family.
Gira talks about the the Angels project :
I write the songs on acoustic guitar, then gather musicians and friends, and build up the orchestrations with them in the studio and in live performances. I guide the process, but solicit their creative contributions actively. Each recording contains the contributions of an ever-changing plethora of amazing musicians, whom I thank here heartily!
After many years (too many to comfortably contemplate!) of dwelling on “sonic overload” with Swans, I now concentrate on augmenting the songs I write with orchestrations that support the basic song, rather than the sound itself taking over.
My goal is to achieve the same sense of magic I experienced as a child listening to Burle Ives recordings of Brer Rabbit and other such marvels, including the early Disney children’s records I listened to long ago.
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Top Albums
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How I Loved You
The Angels of Light
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New Mother
The Angels of Light Buy- Download Album
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We Are Him
The Angels of LightBuy- Download Album
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Shoutbox
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TrebuchetUK wrote:
Details on Michael Gira's UK dates. http://www.trebuchet-magazine.com/index.php/site/event/michael_gira_plays_swans_angels_of_light_cafe_oto/
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jump29 wrote:
post-folk!? cool.
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blebbio wrote:
emo johnny cash
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shootmeadeer wrote:
Incredibly poignant and beautiful music.
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TheFatChocobo wrote:
Well *this* is an awesome new discovery.
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ironstone_3 wrote:
Possibly one of the greatest and most intricate bands ever. As Ben Frost would say, we love Michael Gira.. Hail Michael Gira
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drabreu wrote:
Just started with How I Loved You, and I'm thrilled! Can't wait to hear more from them!
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shootmeadeer wrote:
Rockin' that motherfucking cowboy hat with authority.
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optimistic_tour wrote:
me too
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snowbleed wrote:
Wish I could pull off a cowboy hat like Gira.
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dismembermen wrote:
Reeling the liars in
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ZiezioSmorski wrote:
Amen.
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optimistic_tour wrote:
ba ba bada daaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
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cjkisaragi wrote:
Untitled Love Song is perfection itself and as such deserves to remain on the summit until the end of time
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lspaceman3 wrote:
"Lena's song", "The Kid is already breaking" and "Praise your name" should be higher. :(
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Gaara- wrote:
I think "How I Loved You" is also okay to begin with. It was my first record.
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kingofhebrews wrote:
Bought New Mother a few days ago; so beautiful. Much respect to you Michael Gira.
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Mesothelioma1 wrote:
I'd recommend Everything Is Good Here/Please Come Home or New Mother to start with.
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8GotH8 wrote:
what's his best album to start with? thank you!
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marmaluke wrote:
My True Body is amazing
Videos
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Play
The Man With the Silver Tongue
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Play
ANGELS OF LIGHT jennifer's…
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Play
Untitled Love Song
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Play
Petra - Angel of Light
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Recent Activity
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ReleaseDieBats, modifiedbear, aku86 and 8 other people added The Angels of Light to their libraries. yesterday morning
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milamajka tagged The Angels of Light with ‘seen live’. Monday evening
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milamajka and mandybojangles added The Angels of Light to their libraries. Monday evening
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OrdoVirtutum tagged The Angels of Light with united states, freak folk, singer-songwriter and one other tag. last week
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eucaine wrote about The Angels of Light in Favorite Albums of 2001. 7 days ago
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lysende, snowbunting, bern1bya and 6 other people added The Angels of Light to their libraries. 9 days ago
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Nachtotterin tagged The Angels of Light with freak folk and folk noir. last month
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Rowanwindwalker, klipan666, moikana and 5 other people added The Angels of Light to their libraries. last month
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aos16ie tagged The Angels of Light with apocalyptic folk, freak folk and folk. last month
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brewvip, NasyaNasya, aviv_sion and 3 other people added The Angels of Light to their libraries. last month
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