Angela Josephine

Genre: Contemporary Christian
Secondary Genre: Acoustic Traverse City, Michigan USA Contact

"Angela Josephine shows herself to be a poetic songwriter able to pen songs that get under the shield of the post-modern muse with power and poignancy." - Tony Cummings, Cross Rhythms Magazine

Artist Information

Biography

She has been described as bold and humble, a little "out there" and down-to-earth. Perhaps that is why you find a paradox of sinner and saint mirrored in her blend of introspective yet demanding lyrics... and why people from many walks of life are able to identify with Angela Josephine.

When asked to describe her art and music, this quality (or quirk depending on who you are talking to) becomes apparent as Angela turns the question around.

“I think the point of art is the response, so I guess the best description for my music would be to ask,
‘What would you say?’”

And people do have things to say. Tony Cummings of Cross Rhythms Magazine says, “With a voice that echoes Joni Mitchell, Tori Amos and Laura Nyro but remains very much her own and songs intensely sung over her own punchy acoustic, Angela Josephine shows herself to be a poetic songwriter able to pen songs that get under the shield of the post modern muse with power and poignancy.”

While accolades are encouraging, Angela gets her drive from meeting people right where they are. That means paving a diverse road of appearances and playing to a variety of audiences. Coffee houses across the Midwest have warmed to the soulful brew of her music in an intimate setting, while large festivals have provided a stage. For Angela, it's the honest and candid rendition of the journey that leads to changed lives and gives authenticity to her music.

One fan poetically conveys this sentiment. “There’s a lyric in a Beatles song that reminds me of you, ‘the girl with kaleidoscope eyes.’ It’s not as though you don’t see all the broken dislocated pieces, it’s just that you filter them through your eyes of faith, or kaleidoscope eyes, and then your art becomes a reflection of your faith in ‘vibrant harmonies.’ The bad stuff is transformed because of your faith.”

Vibrancy is the pulse of Angela's performances. From guitar to piano, hammered to mountain dulcimer, Angela tells us stories of God. She blends her music, art and poetry to paint an intimate, spiritual self-portrait whereby you glimpse your own likeness. You’ll be comfortable or comfortably challenged with the imperfect depiction of yourself and the reminder of an approachable loving God who beckons you to belong to Him.

Angela’s current release, Grace Exhaled brings home the powerful message of being who we are created to be. One of the tracks, ‘Live and Breathe’, celebrates our reason for being with the words, “I was created to live and breathe and move and sing, praises to the One who ordained that it might be that I could live and breathe and move and sing, and I will praise my Creator.” The album is as finely crafted and unique as the people involved.

Angela explains, “The CD is not the live experience, but it’s not supposed to be. It should have the warm homey feel of Wade Jayne’s sweaters (bass guitar for Phil Keaggy), the whimsy of Shane Martin dancing in the studio (acoustic guitar for Rebecca St. James), the jazzy sass of Jamba’s funky hat (keys for Jaci Velasquez) and the smoky flavor of a Chris Omartian pipe (drums for Out of Eden). It’s all put together and spiced up by a crazy Italian chef, John Pisciotta (producer for Paradiso Music, Nashville, TN). Well, and then there’s me...”

And if you haven’t figured out just who Angela is yet, producer John Pisciotta can tell you this much.

"Angela is the kind of artist that pulls from multiple worlds; musical, visual, and poetic. In this way, she is comfortable being different, comfortable being who and what God is making her to be."

So what is the answer? Would she rather be thought of as ‘bold’ or ‘humble’, 'out there' or ‘down-to-earth’? When asked that question, Angela replies that she’d like to be thought of as being who she was created to BE.

Instrumentation

Angela Josephine - Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Piano, Mandolin and Mountain and Hammered Dulcimers.

Discography

2005 GRACE EXHALED
Angela’s sophomore effort brings her artistry to the forefront, defining her sound in a unique and intelligent way with a thoughtful weaving of spoken poetry, original music and the title track showcasing Angela's latest instrument, the hammered dulcimer. Produced in Nashville by John Pisciotta of Paradiso Music.


2002 A RESTFUL SENSE OF URGENCY
Angela’s self-produced debut CD is a raw and intimate portrait that meshes her riveting vocals with upbeat guitar driven tunes, introspective ballads and her sometimes-edgy lyrics for an eclectic blend made complete by an insert that includes original poetry and art. Produced by Angela Josephine and Scott Zylstra at Frontier Recordings in Copemish, MI

Links

Audio

Lyrics

Video

Angela Josephine - Big Ticket Festival

Photo Gallery

  • For More Posters Visit: www.angelajosephine.com/promo_link.php

    Download print quality (high-res) version
  • Angela Josephine

  • Angela at Big Ticket Fest, Gaylord, MI

  • Angela sharing the wisdom of Dr. Suess with the kids at an all acoustic service.

  • Audience fun with AJ at Unity Christian Music Festival

  • Painting of the People at Unity Christian Music Festival

  • CD Release Party for Angela's album, 'Grace Exhaled'. Angela playing hammered dulcimer.

  • AJ playing mountain dulcimer while recording 'Glory Lord' for her album 'Grace Exhaled' at the Sound Kitchen in Franklin, TN.

  • AJ at the Sound Kitchen with Session Players and Producer John Pisciotta

  • 'Sistory' - Acrylic Painting by Angela Josephine

Press

  • Honorable Mention in Great Lakes Songwriting Contest [+ Show ]

    Angela Josephine received an honorable mention in the 2007 Great Lakes Songwriting Contest for the s...

  • Artist Ovation Winner [+ Show ]

    Angela Josephine is a winner in the 2007 Artist Ovation Contest and performed on the Lake Stage at t...

  • Cross Rhythms.com - Grace Exhaled Review 10/10 [+ Show ]

    "rich music, shining with heart-baring honesty and real faith..." There are few things more worry...

  • Sockspider.com - Grace Exhaled Review [+ Show ]

    "writing and production are literally an art form..." Grace Exhaled is the sophomore album from A...

  • Northern Express - CD Review [+ Show ]

    "It’s no stretch to consider Angela the Amy Grant of Northern Michigan." Local fans of the Christ...

  • Jam Rag, Detroit’s Music Magazine [+ Show ]

    "Rich Mullins, Glenn Kaiser, and a few other kindred spirits..." A few months ago, I stopped in a...

  • Indie Artist Review [+ Show ]

    "plenty of originality, soul and musical quintessence..." Come meet an acoustic folk artist with ...

  • Cross Rhythms - UK [+ Show ]

    "a voice that echoes Joni Mitchell, Tori Amos and Laura Nyro..." If you travel around America’s ...

  • AJ Testimonials [+ Show ]

    "Angela is the kind of artist that pulls from multiple worlds - musical, visual, and poetic. In thi...

Setlist

What do daisies, Dr. Suess and a hammered dulcimer have to do with Jesus?

An artist in multiple mediums, Angela creates a unique acoustic experience with guitar, piano, mountain dulcimer, hammered dulcimer, art and poetry that speaks meaning to a post-modern generation. Whether it’s pin-the-tail on Suess’s Gertrude McFuzz driving home the necessity of accepting God’s perfect design or a gift of daisies to remember “He loves me!” - Angela creatively delivers the truth of the gospel in new and relevant ways.

ANGELA'S MESSAGE:
As we begin to trust in God and who we are created to be, we shed the false expectations of the world and allow the authentic self in Christ to emerge.

STATEMENT OF FAITH:
Angela believes God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit are one in the Trinity and that God sent his son Jesus into the world to cover the sin of man and bring salvation to all through His death on the cross and resurrection into new life.

CONCERT OPTIONS:
These are suggested options, but Angela is willing to work within the design of your needs. We'd be happy to talk with you! For more information contact Angela at 231.631.7340 or email: booking@angelajosephine.com

CHURCHES:
- Evening Concert: 60 to 90 minute concert
- Acoustic Service and/or Youth Seminar: 45 to 60 minute creative concert as a worship service which can include an hour long youth seminar pre-service.
- Special Music: To happen during your worship service. Suggested way Angela could blend into your service: opening song, 15 minute set with testimony, offertory and/or closing song
- Evening Concert and Sunday Worship Special Music

WOMEN’S RETREATS AND SMALL GROUP MINISTRIES:
- NEW! Small Group Ministry House Concert in conjunction with special music!
- Evening Concert: 60 to 90 Minutes
- “Meet the Artist” seminar with creative, interactive teaching
- “Painting of the People TM”
- Combine all three for a retreat experience

YOUTH CAMPS, RETREATS, FESTIVALS:
- Acoustic Concert: 30 to 90 minutes
- “Meet the Artist” seminar with creative, interactive teaching
- “Painting of the People TM ”
- Combine all three for youth groups or retreat experience

COFFEEHOUSES AND PERSONAL HOUSE CONCERTS:
Coffeehouse and Personal House Concert dates are scheduled in conjunction with Angela being in your area for another event. A house concert is an intimate and up-close evening with the Angela. Everyone involved will enjoy an evening of food, stories, music and friendship. This is a time when people can request favorites, hear the stories behind the songs and ask questions. Everyone will come away with an unforgettable experience.

COMPASSION INTERNATIONAL:
"Josephine's Coat of Many Colors" creatively brings awareness to Compassion International and the great need to address the poverty plaguing children all over the world. Colorful signatures on the coat represent families who have made a difference by sponsoring a child through Angela’s ministry. Angela traveled to Peru with Compassion in 2001 to witness their work first-hand and to meet her sponsor child. The top part of the coat is a tribute to that trip with signatures from all the sponsors and Angela’s sponsored child.

"The coat was a vanity before the signatures. Strangers would comment on it, so much so that family and friends nicknamed it my 'rock star' coat. I was tempted to think I was pretty cool because of the coat and that began to bother me. I was ready to pitch the thing when it occurred to me that this attention could be turned into a good thing."
- Angela Josephine


PAINTING OF THE PEOPLE TM:
AJ’s passion for painting is infectious as she brings an interactive project to select events. A blank canvas is made available for anyone to paint on and by the end of the event, the venue has a finished painting that becomes a special reminder of that unique group of people coming together at that significant place in time. Venues can choose to raffle the finished painting, donate it to an organization or display it.

Original songs include...

Boy Blue
Enough
Fierce Trust
Flutterby Butterly
Give Her Back Her Life
Glory Lord!
How Good You Are
I Am Amazed
I Got My Jesus
House of Hope
Johnny Got A Thing Goin' On
Let This Be The Day
Live and Breathe
Mary's Christmas
Miss America Lauras
Mind Over Mercy
My Help
Nothing Is Worth More Than Today
On A January
Psalm 23
Road to Jerusalem
She
Strength of One
Three Days

Performances often include original poetry and paintings.

Basic Requirements

Calendar

There are no upcoming dates at this time.