Angela Perley makes music for road trips across the American heartland. Rooted in cosmic alt-country, roadhouse rock & roll, witchy-woman psychedelia, and amplified Americana, it's a vintage sound for the modern world, glued together by a singer/songwriter who's played everything from dive bars to arenas.
Before she shared shows with heavyweights like Willie Nelson and Lucinda Williams, Perley launched her career as the frontwoman of Angela Perley and the Howlin' Moons. The group debuted with 2014's Hey Kid—an underground hit not only in America, but also overseas, where the album peaked at number six on the EuroAmericana chart—and returned with 2016's Homemade Vision, whose lead single Electric Flame became an FM radio hit. Perley continued the momentum with 4:30, her debut as a solo artist. Turn Me Loose marks the continuation of that acclaimed solo career. Released in 2023 and produced by pedal-steel guitarist Brandon Bankes, Perley’s latest album features contributions from her Howlin' Moons bandmate, Chris Connor, as well as a new band of road-worn roots-rockers.
Angela Perley has been a recipient of the following GCAC grants and awards: COVID-19 Relief grant (2020) and Support for Professional Artists grant in 2022.
What is your creative process?
I don’t have a specific songwriting process but I start with writing the lyrics and melody on guitar and then I bring that to my band for a full band arrangement. We usually do some pre-production work before we go into to record the songs and that is where a lot of things are worked out and where the magic happens because everyone brings their own flavor to the arrangement/tune.
How do you recharge and/or refine your artistic process?
I need a lot of alone time to recharge my artistic process. I also get inspired by going to shows, spending a lot of time outdoors and watching films.
What question do you get asked most often about your art?
A lot of people ask me why I live here and not in Nashville, and the answer is the community here is my sanctuary. I love living in Columbus because of the art scene and all the support here. It’s home.
What is something that people may not know about you?
I only know a few chords on guitar. Basically just enough to write a song and bring it to my band.
What do you love about your art and/or art-making process?
I love the thrill and mystery of it, and love seeing how the songs end up working out live at shows. The community aspect of it is the best and most rewarding part of it for sure!