We were lucky to catch up with Angie Goeke recently and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Angie thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’ve love to hear an interesting investment story – what was one of the best or worst investments you’ve made? (Note, these responses are only intended as entertainment and shouldn’t be construed as investment advice)
The best investment I have made for my career as a singer/songwriter is to go to conferences. Whether to learn more about the craft or the business, to be inspired, or to network, every conference I have spent the time and money on has been worth it. I believe that you can waste opportunities if you don’t know how to take advantage of the learning and networking that happens at these events. All it takes is a bit of insecurity and seeing everyone in the room as competition, and you’ve lost the return on your investment. But if you show up in humility, ready to take lots of notes, give lots of compliments, and be helpful to everyone else in the room, there is no way you go home disappointed. I recently went to a conference not knowing what, if anything, I would gain from it. I seriously had zero expectations. However, I showed up to every session, took notes, and introduced myself to the panelists. When we were admonished to go read all the speakers’ bios for the next day, I did. I came prepared with hand-written notecards for all the radio DJs on the panel and presented them each with CDs and stickers. It made an impression, not just for those panelists, but for other speakers who were present watching. I walked away from the conference with a team for my next project comprised of panelists who are considered experts in their fields, many of which approached me about working together! Later they told me that this was based on observing the work ethic my presence, actions, and eagerness to learn displayed. I truly believe any investment of time or money has the opportunity to be the best or worst decision in one’s career. But I think it is totally up to the creative to determine that. Seeing the possibilities that lay in front of you in any given situation or circumstance and taking advantage of them will always guard you from wasting your time and/or money.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I am a mother of four who transformed my lifelong love of music into a serious songwriting career. Inspired by independent, individual artists like Ella Fitzgerald and Willie Nelson, I quickly earned a reputation for my particular brand of haunting, narrative, emotionally-complex songs. My unique compositions, which I often begin writing on ukulele before expanding for a larger band, fuse elements of classic Americana, folk, bluegrass and jazz, with captivating vocal melodies front and center. In my debut album If I Were Honest, released in early 2022, I wrote songs encapsulating all the complex emotions and amorphous feelings that make life both complicated and beautiful. Americana Highways wrote: “Angie’s emphasis is on her melodic appeal, smart words vividly demonstrated, and she’s filled her album with heartwarming tunes…and immersed them in everything that is essential to good songwriting and performance.”
Born and raised in Austin, TX, I grew up in a musical family, singing with my siblings in church, where my dad was choir director and organist, and attending symphonies and local music events on weekends. I began musical training at just seven years old, singing at various studios and national choral competitions and later performing for her majesty Queen Elizabeth II when she visited Texas. I learned to play piano and continued writing songs throughout my early life, before my career path led to other creative outlets: I published a novel (A Girl and Her Warhorse), am a theater director, teach middle school art, recently served as executive director of Not In Our City (a non-profit raising awareness of domestic sex trafficking), and am the worship director of a local church. But it wasn’t until 2018 that I decided to pursue a full-time songwriting career. I’ve been writing songs for myself for as long as I can remember. But at some point, I just decided it was time to finally do what I’ve always felt called to do with my life. As an artist, I’ve found tools to help express things that feel unwieldy—tools like color and sound. We need them to convey the things we don’t have words for otherwise.
In 2019 I released my debut solo EP KNOTS, establishing myself as a promising new voice in Texas Americana. Recorded at Lucky Run Studios with legendary sound engineer Michael Mikulka, the six-song collection reflects on the challenges and subtle rhythms of relationships, vacillating between upbeat, toe-tapping acoustic guitar tracks and delicate, lilting ballads backed by upright bass. The lyrics, fueled by my own life experience, connect with listeners in raw and visceral ways, drawing comparisons to artists like Lori McKenna, Brandi Carlisle, and Ellen Starski. In 2020, stalled by the pandemic but resolved to continue making music, I released a new single each month via streaming platforms before returning to the studio to work on my first full-length album.
This debut full-length album If I Were Honest presents a stunning, atmospheric Americana collection that melds the many facets of my creative and personal life into one cohesive, elegant whole. Recorded in Nashville and produced by Mary Bragg, If I Were Honest celebrates the enormous complexity of being human, with a spectrum of sounds ranging from textural and cinematic to candid and nostalgic. Skope Magazine called the album “Americana perfection.”
From the single “Fly Baby Fly,” written for my children, to “Whiskey in a Teacup,” a sassy, empowering anthem that speaks to strong introverted women everywhere, the songs provide vibrant, engaging insights into the mind of a multifaceted, wildly creative woman. This album was a way for me to identify and reconcile all the different parts of myself. I’m a mom and an artist, a quiet church-goer and a girl who loves a good cocktail. These things aren’t in opposition to one another, but I had to learn that. They’re all valuable—because they make me who I am. I don’t have to let go of one thing to grab hold of another.
This past year, I have partnered with guitarist Alfred Williford and vocalist Ashley Bandara to form Runaway Revival. A mixture of country, murder, and stars, the group is a unique blend of Gothic Americana/Folk. Fueled by tight harmonies and guitar picking, this dynamic Houston-based trio hints at Aoife O’Donovan, I’m With Her, and the vintage 3-part harmony of the Andrew Sisters. I love working in collaboration with Alfred and Ashley.
I also am currently working on a new EP project with producer Dale Penner and a team of industry professionals. I am excited to move forward and expand my musical reach with this invitation into an amazing creative sandbox.
How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?
As a society, we consume art everyday almost everywhere all the time. When we go to the grocery store, music is usually playing in the background while we search for the perfect avocado. But most people are unaware of how much music and art they take in daily. Most people are also unaware that the creatives writing, performing, and producing behind the scenes are earning mere pennies. Having an understanding and acknowledgment that even in a passive state, most people are benefiting from creatives is a great first step towards a more sustainable environment for artists. When people really understand this, they are more inclined to support artists in various ways. Attending concerts, buying merchandise, supporting through platforms like Patreon, or even backing a Kickstarter project are all ways that benefit creatives more than streaming or passive consumption.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
The most rewarding aspect of being a singer/songwriter is that I can connect to people in a different and unique way through music. I believe that there is something special that happens when we hear a song on the radio that resonates with our hearts. Maybe we are going through something and that song, for whatever reason connects in a special way. I think there is healing and redemptive power in that connection. Sometimes, we struggle as people to process our thoughts and feelings around certain events or people or relationships. And when a song hits just right, it can put into words something our hearts haven’t figured out how to express. It is an honor to be a part of that restorative process for people.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://angiegoeke.com/ https://runawayrevival.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/angiegoeke/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/angiegoekemusic/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/angiegoeke/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/angiegoeke
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@AngieGoekeMusic
Image Credits
Ron Fontenot