After two decades of singing background for many music superstars, Angie Fisher is finally embarking on a solo career. Before the release of her debut album, the Hidden Beach recording artist has earned a
GRAMMY nomination for her first single, “IRS”.
LAS: How do you feel having a GRAMMY nomination before the release of your debut album?
AF: I feel so overwhelmed and overjoyed. I’m happy that this opportunity has presented itself while I’m still working on my album. KJLH started playing “IRS” at the end of June, it went to iTunes August 17th. To be nominated in such a short window of time is huge.
LAS: When did you first begin singing and how does one become a background singer?
AF: I started singing professionally at age 14. I recorded an album with a group called All God’s Children. It was a lot because our parents had to sign off on release forms for us to leave school to perform, record and travel. Soon after I started touring and singing background for other artists including Jamie Foxx, Chaka Khan, Celine Dion, Michael Buble and many more. Each opportunity happened based on relationships I’ve developed over the years. I received phone calls from someone who knows my work or has seen my Youtube clips and thinks I will be a good fit for the job.
LAS: How did your former job at Bank of America help your singing career?
AF: About fifteen years ago when I worked for Bank of America, we had an employee game day where everyone signed up for activities, I decided to sing in the showcase. This was a chance for me to reveal my gift. I believe I sang a gospel song that left everyone in tears. The next day my boss Carlos called me into his office, at the time I didn’t know what was going on. He told me I had to pursue my singing career. I told him I had to work to not only support myself but also my son, I wanted a stable life. He said if I didn’t leave to pursue singing, he was going to find a way to fire me. He also told me if it didn’t work out, the way he knew it would, I could always come back.
I began to call all of my contacts in the music industry and let them know I was available full time. People won’t know what you’re doing unless you let them know. Not to say it hasn’t been hard, it has been a struggle at times but more opportunities have come my way. I was nervous to leave my comfort zone and take a leap of faith but I did it. I gave my two weeks notice and I’ve never worked a 9-5 since.
LAS: When did you know you were ready to be a solo artist? What’s your advice for background singers who think they are ready to make that transition?
AF: I’ve always loved singing however, the more I traveled and toured as a background singer I began to feel unfulfilled. I knew that there was something more for me, I needed to challenge myself. I called a friend of mine named Chaz Shepherd. I told him I was trying to transition into being a solo artist. I knew that I could do it but I needed assistance. I had never had a manager before I asked if he knew of someone who could help. He reached out to Dorsey Fuller, who’s now my manager. I didn’t know he had heard me sing before and he was interested in helping me. It takes a lot of confidence to know what you’re really supposed to do. You have to go through the challenges of trying to make your mark in the industry. You’re going to have to have patience, confidence, dedication and faith that its going to happen. Timing also played a huge part in it. I knew things needed to change for me and I became proactive and began reaching out to people to help me get to the next point in my solo career.
LAS: How was Radio Free-KJLH102.3 been supportive of your career?
AF: KJLH has played a huge part in my career and with the song IRS. There was an event the KJLH Music Sessions and a friend of mine named Gordon Campbell, recommended me to Aisha Moore who was coordinating the event. My manager sent her IRS which she said she played on repeat. Moore said I needed to perform at the event and she also wanted to break the record. IRS became the number one requested song on KJLH by the end of June. It grew in popularity in southern California and word started to spread; iTunes downloads have increased. I’m glad it’s continuing to grow organically.
LAS: What can your fans look forward to on your debut album?
AF: “IRS” is a universal song that a lot of people can relate to. It’s not just about the government, Internal Revenue Service, per se, it’s speaking about the struggles of life and the things that people go through on a daily basis. I think people are embracing it because I’m speaking from a place of emotion. People can understand how it relates to their life. Most songs talk about love and relationships but not necessarily the struggles of life, it’s a different type of song. The music video will be released soon. In 2015 fans can look forward to my debut album. It’s an album with many colors. I want people to understand that I have so much range in my voice. I’ll always sing with emotion and from experience. It’s gong to be an enjoyable, feel good album.
To learn more about Angie Fisher follow her on Twitter @angiesingss
