Review Fix Exclusive: Kris Angelis Talks ‘Heartbreak is Contagious’ EP And More

Review Fix chats with singer/songwriter Kris Angelis who discusses her upcoming EP, “Heartbreak is Contagious.”

About Kris Angelis:

Los Angeles singer-songwriter, Kris Angelis, is set to release her sophomore EP, “Heartbreak is Contagious”, on June 2nd, 2017.  “Heartbreak is Contagious” is the follow-up to her critically acclaimed debut album, “Left Atrium,” which featured “Not Your Fault,” a single that was exclusively premiered on RyanSeacrest.com. She continues in her usual prolific lyrical style while venturing into new territory with a hint of pop inspiration. These new sonic explorations have led to many accolades — her new single “Heartbreak is Contagious” recently won “Best Female Artist” in the 13th International Acoustic Music Awards as well as the LA Music Critics Award for Best Female EP. While another new track, “Built This House” is a Finalist in the International Songwriting Competition. Additionally, her dynamic song, “Kevin Bacon,” was featured in a commercial for her hometown of Pacific Grove, CA, in which she also starred. Her newest project, “Heartbreak is Contagious” is founded in her authentic acoustic songwriter aesthetics with a dose of pop coloring.

Review Fix: How did you get involved in music?

Kris Angelis: I started singing when I was a toddler. My twin sister and I wrote a song together when we were three. There was a lot of classical music and old musicals and Lawrence Welk growing up and then I joined choir at church and then got into being in plays and musicals. I played the violin when I was little and learned some music theory from that and being in a youth orchestra. I got really into singing with my sister again when we discovered Hanson and started harmonizing.

Review Fix: How was “Heartbreak is Contagious” written? What inspired it?

Angelis: Heartbreak Is Contagious was an idea that I had based on a phenomenon I had noticed and experienced: that when your heart gets broken, it can be hard to love yourself very well or to open it up to another person and that can lead to other hearts being broken and so on. I had experienced this a few times and the song was getting the feelings about a broken relationship off my chest – dealing with the frustration and trying to let go because it’s no one’s fault.  I brought that idea to Morgan Taylor Reid and Alexander Cardinale and we wrote it together and Morgan produced it.

Review Fix: What’s your creative process like?

Angelis: Often its similar to what I described above: I’ll notice something about life or feelings I’m having and write it down. Sometimes there will be just one line that is an intriguing way of looking at a situation and I build around that. Those ideas can be going around in my mind for weeks or months and then I finally sit down and put them to a melody and make them rhyme. Sometimes I’m writing as it’s coming to me or I’ll get together with a co-writer and we come up with a concept and write a whole song in a few hours.

Review Fix: What makes the video special?

Angelis: I like that the way it was filmed illustrates what is going on in the song. There are parts of it that are still photos stitched together creating a broken, disconnected effect that evokes the feeling of heartbreak and confusion and not being fully present. Then there are parts that are in reverse and flowers and dead leaves symbolizing the cyclical nature of love and life. Chris Hoffman directed and Jason Chen edited. And Stephanie Mulcihy was the amazing one woman producer/crew! That’s pretty special actually – the whole thing was filmed with basically just the three of us up in the canyon all day. Zachary and Robert (the two guys in the video) were there for a couple of hours to get those shots and they were great too. It involved a 45 minute hike up hill with the gear! So you’re seeing what can be done with the minimum in equipment and crew and some talented, hardworking people!

Review Fix: How do you want this song to be remembered?

Angelis: I hope this song will make people feel like they are not alone and that they can be whole again even if they may be in a low place at the moment. I like that it’s somewhat upbeat with the claps and “hey!”s that can be satisfying. Not all heartbreak songs need to be slow and melancholy. (though, there is a place for those and the second song on the EP, “Built This House” is one) There are many emotions involved in heartache including frustration, anger, confusion, and then acceptance and hope and I believe and hope that this song and the whole EP is a cohesive story that takes the listener through those different stages and I’d love it if I actually achieved that in the ears and hearts of people who hear it.

Review Fix: What are your goals for 2017?

Angelis: To get on the iTunes charts and Billboard Heatseeker charts.

To sell at least 10,000 of the EP before the end of the year.

To write and record a LOT more songs and get more placements in TV/Film/Commercials.

Get a great team together to open new doors and allow me to focus more on the music and performing.

Review Fix: What’s next?

Angelis: I’d like to tour again this year. I want to put together a house concert tour across the country. House concerts are a lot of fun because I can really get to know people. More potential new fans come to them because its like coming to a party at your friend’s house and getting an intimate show. I enjoy traveling and performing in that way. It often leads to fun new experiences. Touring as an opener for a great artist in traditional venues would be fantastic as well!

Review Fix: Anything else you’d like to add?

If you want to get involved in the team effort to get this EP on the charts, please join my mailing list at krisangelis.com and you’ll get all the inside info! If you want to be a Super insider, you can join my Patreon at www.patreon.com/krisangelis. You sign up by pledging a certain amount per song or video that I post (I don’t post too much and you can put a monthly limit if you want) and that helps me raise funds for things like the PR campaign and music video and recording more! You get some really cool exclusive stuff! I’ve already posted 3 produced songs this year that you can’t hear anywhere else. Also of course please follow me on social media (All the links below) and Spotify and tell your friends! I hope you enjoy the music and are following your passions!