Daniel Angelus is a visual and music artist from the United Kingdom. Developing music from the age of 18, Daniel is well known for creating stirring and emotional soundtracks to personally crafted lyrics. He has also created short films and performances under secret pseudonyms and uploaded them to YouTube.
After working with multiple music artists and opening shows for the likes of the super massive popular electro act Hot Chip in 2015, Daniel is set to release his Debut full length LP 'Miracle Dark' on August 19th 2016. A powerful and emotional soundtrack crafted by Daniel Angelus and producer David Emery supports a series of emotional stories from Daniels life from losing his father at 14 years of age to getting divorced from his long term partner at 28.
A dark gothic tone accompanies all of Daniels visual work and music work.
Daniel is also known as the popular gaming personality 'DANGELUSRAWKS' whom can be found on the popular streaming site Twitch and in uniquely shot vlogs on YouTube. A high energy and often personal approach to gaming with regular stops for roleplay of all kind with his stream team has amassed a cult following with over 11,000 followers supporting Daniel's Twitch channel and his YouTube content generating huge interest worldwide thanks to a very open and artistic approach to a new form of entertainment.
I recently had the chance to direct and produce, together with Daniel, his latest music video, So Far, (starring Spanish actress/dancer Inma Chopo and actor/songwriter Merrick Wells), which will be screened on January 19th at ProyectArag´n Film Exhibit in Zaragoza (Spain).
If you want to know more about this great British artist, you should keep reading!:
PUNK GLOBE: Tell us about your background as an artist. You've been writing music since you were 18. How do you remember those days?
DANIEL ANGELUS: My background as an artist is unique in that I only ever do work that I can give 100% to and apply some form of emotional input that elevates it to a more intense or enjoyable experience. Sometimes I can be deeply affected by the work I do and never want to return to project once it is given over to the world because of the personal and difficult relationship I have with it. I started writing music at 18 because I was living in an abusive and complex situation at home and I seemed to naturally use my writing and ideas as an outlet for the trauma I was going through daily but also I realised I needed some direction and I needed to learn skills on how to do this safely and positively. At 18 I was waking up in the night after a dream and writing EP's and doing limited releases.
PUNK GLOBE: Which was the first song you ever recorded?
DANIEL ANGELUS: The first song I ever recorded was called STREETS and I used to perform it live in a venue called The Victoria Inn and after finishing a set with that track my instruments would end up completely smashed and destroyed because of how angry that song felt to me. I wrote the song in 2005 after reading about police in America killing black people. I remember those early days as being full of fear and anger at the injustice my life had been up until that point. I was tormented, troubled and very scared. My early demos reflect that a lot.
PUNK GLOBE: How would you define your music?
DANIEL ANGELUS: I would define my music now in 2016 as a very personal and emotional soundscape that paints a very realistic sound on an empty canvas of silence. I write very personal and I sing in very intimate sessions when the mood hits me. We have a very personal setup where I work with the producer David Emery and he helps me craft and create a sound that I am working very hard for. i feel like each track has to be given 100% and my music is not designed for the mainstream circuit. It is designed for anybody to interpret as they feel and it is meant to evoke some personal emotions. Deep routed emotions maybe. I would say my music doesn't make people happy. It makes them feel less alone and understood. I guess that because I am trying to understand everything myself when writing and recording it.
PUNK GLOBE: Your debut LP Miracle Dark was released in August. What's the message behind the songs included in this album?
DANIEL ANGELUS: My debut record MIRACLE DARK was released in August, yes. If I tell you the message behind the songs then that would make singing it pointless. Listen to the album and define it however you feel. When I relinquish my work I don't want to control how it is received. It's out in the world and it will be whatever you choose it to be. The songs subject matter centres around my crippling anxiety, my divorce from my ex wife and the battle I had with society telling me how to be, what to say and how to behave when I essentially feel I should do and say whatever the fuck I feel within reason. I hated being told how to be an artist as well. This album is a big two fingers up to those people who tell me I should become a Brandon Flowers tribute act and make lots of money. I don't care for the money, I would much rather make a meaningful piece of art and sound. Far more rewarding in my opinion.
PUNK GLOBE: You are an outstanding songwriter and singer. Do you write your songs from your own personal experience?
DANIEL ANGELUS: Thank you for that compliment about my writing. That means a lot to me. All of my songs are from a very personal experience. And I write sincerely and I only ever release something solo or with my projects that I feel reflects what I think and feel and hits home as reality. I feel like we constantly listen to bands or acts say they create art to escape, I respect that effort but however, I create music that confronts issues, life and reality of all of it. Confronting and discussing things means we can make great change. And in the process we can help the listener to understand that there is someone out there who is rallying for them. Whether it be bullying, familial abuse, sexual abuse or mental abuse or physical abuse of any kind, I have been through it to huge degrees and I survived, If I can help anyone else with this, then I will. Somehow. Someway. Males are abused too. A lot of us. Men and women both suffer abuse. And we both need to be united in facing it. That is hard when one sex or another is doing the damage. But trying is always the best answer.
PUNK GLOBE: Your short film music video So Far has already reached more than 1,000 views on YouTube. How did you come up with the idea of collaborating with a Spanish team? Are you happy with the final result?
DANIEL ANGELUS: My music video hit 1000 views which was amazing and humbling. It truly meant a lot to me. The video is also being exhibited in Spain in January 2017 which is also an honour to me. Truly wonderful. I felt like SO FAR could be interpreted in a NOIR style with a dramatic element to it. The video focuses on how a modern creation(mobile phone) could allow humans to engage in their ugliest dimensions and how it ruined a marriage. It was wonderful working with the Spanish team. I was hoping they would accept the challenge and it was very apparent from the start that they cared about the vision and delivering that effectively. Sadie Duarte was a wonderful director who allowed to direct the actors and moderate the concept and she delivered a wonderful visual experiment that is simple and at moments, stunning. The Noir element was delightful to see in the final edit. The performers delivered a sincere performance that warrants a lot of respect. I like the video and I am currently drawing up a short film for my next project.
So Far music video:
PUNK GLOBE: How is it to be a gaming personality?
DANIEL ANGELUS: Being a gaming personality is crazy fun. It is a wonderful outlet for my leftover energy and creativity. Combining all of that with my passion for video gaming and the amazing and wonderful writing and artwork and worlds that are created in gaming studios makes me very happy. I love my followers a lot and, when I do the odd rare appearance at events, I love filming it and making sure my followers have a great experience meeting me, I love that I get to play video games live to a committed and wonderful audience. they are amazing.
PUNK GLOBE: What do you think of the British music scene these days?
DANIEL ANGELUS: The British music scene is thriving with a slew of great and alternative talent. I shy away from the mainstream scene because it is very, controlling for me. I love bands like Glasvegas, Slaves and a few others who forge very emotive experiences and make it sound do raw. Superb stuff. My favourite bands in the world are acts like Gaslight Anthem, Against Me! and Arcade Fire to name just a few of many.
PUNK GLOBE: Do you have plans to visit the USA?
DANIEL ANGELUS: I don't have plans to visit the USA sadly. I was booked for New York Comic Con but the team who booked me let us down at the last hurdle and it made us very sad, We couldn't fill then schedule back up so we had to cancel the trip. I will work hard for opportunities and maybe we will get something soon!. I shy away from performing my debut album live as it is very emotional but there are a few ideas floating around of how we could perform a very intimate and emotive set in London, New York, Paris, etc.
PUNK GLOBE: How can our readers contact you?
DANIEL ANGELUS: I would love readers to contact me!. You can find me on Twitter: @DANGELUSRAWKS and you can send any mail to dangelusrawks@gmail.com
Fans do send me emails and I always reply on a Sunday when I get free time. Peace and love!!