Shaping a sound that sits confidently between atmospheric Trance, industrial edges, and emotive storytelling, Sterling Angel lands on the Electronic Music scene with a determined and focused attitude; with a clear sense of direction and a firm grasp on his creative vision, he is beginning to take the steps towards sharing his unique signature sound with global audiences, passionate about embarking on the next phase of his journey.
Now, he joins us for this interview, diving deep into the evolution of Sterling Angel, how his sound has developed over time, and what listeners can expect from this new chapter.
Sterling Angel, thanks for joining us. How are you? Tell us, what’s exciting you most about this current creative chapter?
Hi! Thanks, pleasure to speak with you. I’m doing really well – excited about what’s to come.
I’ve been evolving my sound, creating something that’s even more intense and
in line with my vision. I have two albums ready to go and am poised to deliver something entirely unique to the Electronic Music scene.
Can you take us back to the beginning of the Sterling Angel project – what was the original vision?
To be honest, the origin of my sound came about randomly. I’ve always created atmospheric music, but this time, it morphed into something darker and more seductive. As with all of my music, it was an expression of my inner emotional state. The initial vision evolved over time and came to be my own niche version of Trance – an entrancing sound marked by the darker aspects of love, loneliness, and connection…with an underlining sense of empowerment and hope.
In three words, describe your sound.
Primal. Visceral. Intense.
Where does a track usually begin for you? Can you share the process behind your music?
All tracks begin with the beat and ambience first. This sets the mood and enables me to get into my flow state. From there, I come up with the main Trance melodies and the lyrics.
I usually set out with a concept or theme, but usually the song comes about naturally and in a way that I can’t envision initially. My muse always has its own plans, and I just go with my intuition and what’s most cathartic to me at the moment.
Can you tell us about the journey of your sound? How has your style evolved over time, and what inspired those changes?
This is actually a great question, as I’ve undergone quite an evolution with my new sound. My original style was seductive, but a bit more subdued and downtempo in its approach.
Strong atmospheric beats and Trance/hypnotic elements have always been at the core of my sound, with whispery female vocals providing the right amount of humanism within the often futuristic soundscapes.
This was initially.
Now, my sound has become even more powerful, utilizing even more aggressive beats and darker trances. My own vocals are now at the core, with a more masculine feel to the whole project. This change came about organically, as I began to more accurately express myself within my creative voice – my sound has become
filled with much more existential angst, inspired directly from my own life and experiences. And it will continue to push the limits of what is possible within the realm of my vision.
Are there particular artists or movements – musical or otherwise – that have shaped the aesthetic and philosophy of Sterling Angel?
I would say that I’ve always been inspired by the Trance landscape of the early and late 90s. I was always drawn to the more esoteric sounds of artists like Future Sound of London, Fluke, Bjork, among others.
I’ve never attempted to emulate any artist, but of course, we all are influenced in some way by what has come before. Many often compare my sound to that of Enigma due to its dark, sensual style, fused with whispery minimal vocals. I suppose I’m a more aggressive, modern Enigma in a way. As for other artists, I could cite H.R. Giger (Alien), due to his psychosexual aesthetic, as well as Ridley Scott’s ‘Blade Runner,’ due to the inherent dystopian and futuristic yet humanist feel to my music.
How do you see yourself evolving next? Are there unexplored sonic territories or conceptual ideas you’re keen to dive into?
I have to be honest when I say I’m quite satisfied with the current evolution of my sound and am more focused on reaching a wider audience with it than diving into new concepts. I have a lot of music coming and am focused on the promotion of that. All that being said, I will always be evolving the project through better production and exploring ways of making my music even more emotionally resonant. I’m such a perfectionist, I will never feel fully satisfied.
Apart from the music side, I’m particularly interested in growing the world of Sterling Angel visually and creating a “live” experience that properly aligns with the music.
What do you hope listeners take away from your music – is there a message, feeling, or experience you’re trying to communicate?
It’s interesting to think of my audience. From over the years, when speaking to fans, I’ve become much more aware of how my music affects them. I think my main objective is to create empowering music that makes listeners feel more at ease and less isolated. I feel the world is craving for more connection, and I hope that my music gives listeners hope and alleviates that void that many feel. Also, I aim to enable their escapism into another world that brings them closer to what it is to be human.
Are there visual or design elements you feel align with the Sterling Angel sound? How important is visual identity to your project as a whole?
Visual identity is of paramount importance to the project. In fact, I’m constantly visualizing the perfect visuals to fit my sound. More so than with a lot of my music, I feel I create an entire world for my listeners to immerse themselves in. The visuals reach a visceral level, something yet to be explored. I prefer minimal, sleek, and sexy while contrasting with the dystopian. A sound ahead of its time. And a visual world yet to be experienced.
Finally, what keeps you creatively hungry? What’s inspiring your work lately?
What drives me is just my nature and continued need for self-expression. Currently, I’m most hungry to expand the Sterling Angel world through visuals, reach, and “live” experiences. As a perfectionist, I’m always striving for more, so more music will naturally always follow. I’m excited to see what’s to come……
As Sterling Angel moves with determination and intent, his focus remains on refining and sharing the sound he has carefully and considerately crafted. With a commitment to connecting with listeners while staying true to his evolving artistic vision, he is set to continue building his place within the Electronic Music landscape, so be sure to take note and follow his journey across social media, ensuring you stay up-to-date on his upcoming releases and news.
Sterling Angel Online