It is a testament to the artistic depth of hardcore music that some of the genre’s most skilled songwriters have applied their talents equally to vastly different styles. Some key examples are that Minor Threat begat Fugazi, Regional Justice Center begat Militarie Gun, Drill Sergeant begat Academy Order, and Wound Man begat Papa’s Cherry Pipe. If, to the untrained ear, hardcore musicians only know how to turn up and breakdown, these brilliant artistic outputs from disparate musical directions leave no doubt that these musicians know nuance, texture, pacing, and melody.
ANGEL-MAKER is another glittering example of musicians showing cross-genre mastery. Drawing from hardcore bands Kiddo and L.I.B.–the latter of which Cvlt Nation covered here–as well as synth punk and techno projects, ANGEL-MAKER is an exploration of what these flavors taste like when subtly applied to death rock, goth, post-punk, and dark wave.
For six years, the band has been developing a depth of composition and a delicacy of songcraft that invites the listener into their sound’s dark but warm embrace. One pictures moshpits transformed into candlelit swaying sessions, as the temporal distance between the 70s and the future dissolve into shimmering crystals.
Their newest cassette release, SQUARE I/FEARS . . ., follows a daringly innovative 2023 EP and a SUMMER–AUTUMN–SPRING–WINTER series of compelling concept pieces. In just two exquisite tracks, this release builds on the very special body of work ANGEL-MAKER has been constructing. While all of their output to date has shown the writers’ ingenuity, care, and curiosity, SQUARE I/FEARS . . . possesses an emotional beauty that surpasses all of their work to date. Bridging the complex musicality of Tears for Fears, the darkness of Depeche Mode and Sisters of Mercy, and the dark synth dynamism of Baths, SQUARE I and FEARS . . . are two tracks that show the power of intimacy and vulnerability, the power of turning bedroom songwriting into grand productions, the power of inviting the listener to experience vicarious aches and triumphs.
SQUARE I/FEARS . . . is a jewel of an EP, and it also promises amazing things to come. For newcomers, now is the time to take notice of ANGEL-MAKER.
First, can you introduce the members of ANGEL-MAKER and any other projects they would like to promote?
I’m Chris Nelson, our vocalist, songwriter, and producer. Andy Laszlo is our guitar player, songwriter, and producer. KC (Kenton Caldwell) is our bass player. Andy also plays in the Indy based Synth Punk band Concrete Hitter and KC is the singer of the Indy based Hardcore band Kiddo. I do live hardware techno under the name Knormalled, I’m also the guitar player of the Indy Hardcore band L.I.B. (Life Is Beautiful).
ANGEL-MAKER has been especially productive in its six years as a band, with nine releases so far. Can you describe the band’s creative process?
The creative process has varied so much since the band’s inception as I’ve learned about new instruments and techniques previously unfamiliar to me when it comes to writing and production. Learning new things and playing around with electronic instruments have inspired so many different songs, I think that would be the primary reason I’ve churned so many out. Writing music on your own in an apartment also has fewer limitations than a traditional band set up where writing rehearsals can only happen a couple times a week at most.
For this newest release, where did the band find its musical inspiration? What about its lyrical inspiration?
These new songs were primarily created by our guitar player Andy, then I added some parts & my vocals to nearly complete songs. From what he’s told me about creating these songs, when you’re making music using these synth and drum timbres, there’s of course the nostalgic element, but melancholy and romance were influential in the writing process, I think that’s reflected in the songs as well.
My musical contribution to “Square I” was just the bass guitar part, the goal was to add the instrument in a way that complimented the existing mood he’d created. Conversely, the drum beat and oscillating sounds I added to “Fears…” transformed the song into something else, very foreign to us. It has elements of Dub and Hiphop that we’ve not really used before. The bassline Andy played in that song really stands out to me as something fresh in our catalogue, it talks melodically but is very mellow and less bitey than the driving or Hooky-inspired parts we usually do.
Lyrically I wrote “Square I” about the neighborhood the three of us live in and my evolving relationship with what’s been home for many years now. “Fears…” is more of a part two to our song “Black Rain” thematically, it’s inspired by the level of emotional impact that political movements & media can inflict on humans.
ANGEL-MAKER has done a brilliant job with short-form, themed releases, such as the seasonal releases in 2022. How is writing for a short release different from writing for a longer LP?
Thank you! I usually prefer the short form releases because I feel like I can cover everything I want to say about a theme in 2-4 songs. The writing cycles usually match up with this grouping as well, so the songs are all fresh.
I’ve only done maybe 2 full length records in the 14 years I’ve been releasing music.I wrote and recorded the only A-M full length “IV” during the summer of 2020 in just 3-4 months, which was kind of rushed. We are currently demoing and recording the next A-M full length which has been worked on in little batches over the past year.
I’m not looking at this next record as a singular concept as I did the Seasons EPs, more a collection of songs and singles informed by what translates best for the band in a live situation. We’ve focused heavily on our live presentation this past year so that’s where my head’s been while writing too.
Some of you also perform in heavier projects. What is the relationship, in your mind, between hardcore/metal and styles like post-punk and darkwave?
I’d say historically it’s all rooted in punk as a genre, the ethos, & attitude are the same. It’s very intertwined. I grew up getting introduced to The Clash, Black Flag and The Cure through skate videos. It was all counter culture just like us, that was the appeal. We’re all weirdos, expressing being weird or not fitting in maybe with slightly different languages. I also saw so many of my favorite hardcore bands showing love for Post-punk, I remember finding the Converge cover of Disintegration, it blew me away.
Many artists and fans of heavy music seem to be turning their ears to more synth-heavy and more mid-tempo post-punk genres these days. What do you think is driving this current movement to these more emotionally diverse styles?
I think most all hardcore kids and metalheads always had at least one tape, CD, or Limewire file of The Smiths or Joy Division that they loved. Most of those folks, like myself, started aggressive sounding bands because writing and performing that music is accessible & essential for young people in any music scene. Once you see that excitement, energy, and violence, you get hooked and that’s what you want to do immediately, so they start those bands first.
For me, after playing aggressive music for so long, I wanted to explore melody, different dynamics, electronic instruments and do things musically that I didn’t feel would be appropriate in the realm of hardcore. I always enjoyed this kind of music but no one in our scene was ever making it or playing it at shows, so I did it.
I love watching kids mosh and hit each other while my bands play but I also love watching people dance and sing to my songs, that energy exchange is the same, just expressed differently. I’m sure there are also folks that were into heavy music first and foremost then turned onto Post-punk, Goth, etc. by a friend in the scene and developed an appreciation that way.
What should people know about ANGEL-MAKER? About this release?
A-M is a band of three good friends that, despite the tone and subject matter of the music, is ultimately focused on creating and presenting songs that inspire positive growth. The dark and sad songs are still there to make you feel better about shit situations, the up-beat songs are made for people who want to dance with their friends and partners.
The band as a whole started as me proving to myself that I could make something with a laptop and a couple guitars instead of a full band in a studio.
It’s mainly been me, and more recently Andy too, making everything in our apartments on lunch breaks and days off. I always hoped that fact would encourage folks to make weirdo, electronic, punk, whatever music in their apartments or basements too and highlight the low barrier of entry to creating and participating in DIY music.
As far as this release goes though, or most releases go, it always feels like the end of an era for me. We spent the most time on these two songs than anything else we had before. We collaborated with Mixing and Mastering Engineers David Peck and Mike Kriebel for the first time instead of doing it all in house. Their expertise and outside perspective helped us achieve that goal of making the best sounding songs in our catalogue. I’m incredibly grateful for their work, and what Andy’s done to contribute to what once was just a home recording project for me.
Is there anything else you’d like to say?
We’ll be heading out East the last couple weeks of October, that tour will be announced in a month or two. We will be completing this record and getting out on the road a lot more in general. We would love to play in your city and meet new friends. Send us an email at angelmakerindianapolis@gmail.com to set up a show.
Pick up the SQUARE I/FEARS . . . cassette here.
