Entertainment

Inspirational New Artist, Ali Angel, Tells All about her Newest Single “I’m a Ram”

Published

2 years ago

February 9, 2022

Opening with a bluesy, driving riff and kicking into high gear with searing, sultry vocals, Ali Angel’s newest single, “I’m a Ram” may be the perfect song for a cross country drive with all of the windows down and the volume up.

Released on February 4, 2022, the Al Green cover is one Angel and her band has enjoyed playing live for years. They decided it would be fun to record but didn’t have any initial grand plans for the single beyond that.

“We recorded it, but then we let it be for a while,” says Angel, “but I was listening to it months later and thought it was really good. It fit with the retro-soul sound on the EP.”

As Angel told News Channel Nebraska, “‘I’m a Ram’ has such a cool driving rhythm and such power to it. It’s given me a lot of freedom to be fierce vocally, which I love.”

That fierceness is on full display in a song that talks about pushing forward and getting close to that special someone no matter what.

The Ali Angel EP, which drops June 17, 2022, has a sound that is colored by Angel’s life experiences and her favorite musical influences.

“Sonically, I’m inspired by 70s music and 60’s music. There are so many different genres on this EP.” she says.

Connecting her writing and voice to the sonic tones of the past is front and center on the EP, even through a cover tune like “I’m a Ram”. Angel’s distinctive soul-tinged voice soars through the cover tune. Additional tracks like “Extra Wild” are more Motown influenced, while “Middle Name” harkens back to a pre-punk Talking Heads vibe. Hopping forward several decades in rock-and-roll history, Angel brings an alt-rock Green Day sound to “Beck and Call.”

“I wanted to incorporate all of my styles into one EP. I wanted it to all fit,” says Angel, “I wanted to tell stories where you could hear the influences.”

Angel grew up in LA, and the Malibu feel colors her songwriting. She’s delved into a myriad of ideas in her lyrics for this release. “Middle Name” dives into the idea of obsessing over a person you’ve only been seeing for a short time. You can’t stop thinking about them, but you know very little about them (including their middle name). The ideas of falling in love for the first time, the vulnerability of heartbreak, and the sweetness of experience are also explored. Everyday experiences also get the musical treatment, including a song about a toxic friendship. The west coast sensibility and sentiment weave their way through every track.

“A lot of the EP is very daydreamy, the imagining of hideaways, getaways, playing pretend, perpetual golden hour,” says Angel.

After the release of “I’m a Ram” on February 4th, two more singles (“Middle Name” and “Loving You Lately”) and a music video for “Middle Name” will be coming pre-EP release. The “Middle Name” video has a film noir/old detective movie feel. Upon the full EP release in June, Angel hopes to hit the road with her set of soulful songs, bringing shows outside of LA to San Diego, Palm Springs, Santa Barbara, and further up the California coast.

If the overall vibe of “I’m a Ram” is any indication, the self-titled Ali Angel EP may be perfectly poised to be the ultimate summer release for romance, daydreaming, and getaways.

Ali Angel can be found online at www.aliangelmusic.com and on Instagram at @aliangelmusic.

Entertainment

“The Firing Squad”: I Cried Buckets of Tears

Published

15 hours ago

April 25, 2024

Jonathan Grilli

Sitting in the dimly lit theater, I had no idea what to expect as the opening credits of “The Firing Squad” began to roll. Little did I know that I was about to embark on an emotional journey that would leave me reaching for tissues and struggling to catch my breath.

The film follows the true story of three Christians facing execution by firing squad in a third world country. Directed by Timothy A. Chey, it features a stellar cast including James Barrington, Kevin Sorbo, and Cuba Gooding Jr. Each actor brings their character to life with such authenticity and depth that it’s impossible not to be fully immersed in their struggles and triumphs.

As the plot unfolded, I found myself drawn into a world of despair and desperation, but also one of unwavering faith and hope. The characters’ journey from darkness to light, from despair to redemption, resonated with me on a deeply personal level. I couldn’t help but be moved by their courage and resilience in the face of unimaginable adversity.

But it was the performances that truly stole the show. James Barrington’s portrayal of the protagonist’s internal turmoil was nothing short of mesmerizing, while Kevin Sorbo and Cuba Gooding Jr. delivered powerhouse performances that left me in awe.

And then there was the message of the film—that no matter how bleak the circumstances may seem, there is always hope. That even in our darkest moments, faith has the power to transform lives and bring about redemption. It was a message that hit me like a ton of bricks, leaving me with tears streaming down my face and a renewed sense of purpose.

As the credits rolled and the lights came up, I found myself struggling to put into words the impact that “The Firing Squad” had on me. All I could manage was, “I cried buckets of tears.” And I wasn’t alone. As I looked around the theater, I saw others wiping their eyes and exchanging emotional glances.

In the end, “The Firing Squad” wasn’t just a movie—it was an experience. An experience that left me feeling inspired, uplifted, and profoundly grateful for the power of cinema to touch the soul. And for that, I will be forever grateful.

The movie is set to premiere in the theatres worldwide on August 2, 2024. And this is definitely a must watch movie, reminding people of the strength of faith.