Angel Corsi recently performed at PorchFest and joined Indra Raj for a live session on KGNU. Known as the “Chicano Bruce Springsteen” for his socially conscious folk music, Corsi discussed his influences, including soul, hip hop, and Americana. He emphasized the importance of storytelling in his music, drawing inspiration from artists like Ice Cube, Smokey Robinson, and Marvin Gaye. Corsi also announced an upcoming performance on October 9th at the Dairy Arts Center in Boulder (Interview date: 9/22/2024)
Indra Raj: We have local musician Angel Corsi joining us. Angel just played a full set earlier at PorchFest and is now coming to play a couple songs for us. So welcome, Angel.
Angel Corsi: Thank you so much for inviting us and having new artists like me get to play a song for you.
Indra Raj: Absolutely. I was just chatting with you. You’re new to the area.
Angel Corsi: Yeah, I’m barely a couple years in. I’m getting to know the Boulder County life. It’s definitely different than I grew up with, but I’m adjusting. I like it.
Indra Raj: That’s what we like to hear. And what a great way to get plugged in through a community event like this.
Angel Corsi: Yeah, this is such a beautiful event. I’ve never done one of these before. The PorchFest idea was something I never even heard of until being out here. It’s a beautiful little community. It was really cool to play on someone’s front yard and have people walk up, get into whatever I was doing.
Indra Raj: Absolutely. Why don’t we hear a piece of music from you and then we’ll chat a little bit more.
Angel Corsi: Sounds good. This is the reason why some of the press has called me a Chicano Bruce Springsteen. Put it in my bio.
Indra Raj: You’re listening to Angel Corsi, who’s joined us live here in our live broadcast tent here at Mapleton Hill PorchFest. Really great to hear your music, just having met you like five minutes ago.
Angel Corsi: Yeah, there wasn’t a screening process.
Indra Raj: There was not. So you said you have been called The Chicano Bruce Springsteen. I can hear it.
Angel Corsi: Yes, a lot of people make that reference and it’s really hilarious. I’m into it.
Indra Raj: You’re into it.
Angel Corsi: I feel like there’s a lot of parallels. I’m Chicano, we’re both looking out for the little guy. We’re talking about stuff for the people that needs to be heard. You know, I’m a folk artist. I’m an Americana artist. But for me, it’s more than just the vibe of mandolins and stuff. For me it’s back to the roots of – what’s that great quote? Comforting the disturbed and disturbing the comfortable. I love a good love song. I’d be happy to play that one next. But but sometimes I just feel like it’s a responsibility as an artist to share a message,
Indra Raj: Absolutely. So what did you listen to growing up that brought you to the music that you make now?
Angel Corsi: It’s so funny because I love this question. I actually grew up with a lot of soul music and hip hop. I did eventually find Bruce Springsteen and Bob Dylan and all that stuff, and that definitely guided me as I picked up an acoustic guitar. But for the most part my poets and my stories are from Ice Cube and Cypress Hill and that kind of strange place of urban culture. I love bringing that to audiences that are into folk music, because I get to play around the country, I get to tour and go to house concerts and play for all these faces that are just really interested in the stories we get to tell.
Indra Raj: And you were saying you have an element of your music that’s about consciousness. That’s a huge part of hip hop culture.
Angel Corsi: Yeah, absolutely. It is. And then the other part of me that’s the softy. I love Sam Cooke and Bobby Caldwell and all that good stuff that just makes you feel good. Smokey Robinson. And I definitely steal plenty of chords from Marvin Gaye.
Indra Raj: Yes, of course. So you are fairly new to the area, but you are going to be playing live soon.
Angel Corsi: Yes, so I have this very big show that I hope anyone listening will go to. It’s on October 9th. It’s at the Gordon Gamm theater at the Dairy Arts Center in Boulder, and I just connected with them. I did a few smaller shows there. Thank you to Laurie Michelle for booking me for those, and then the director heard me and said “we need to put your stories in front of some people,” so they booked me for October 9th. I’m opening for this award winning duo The Fellow Pynins. So tickets are on sale now, and I really want to make a good impression. So please buy some.
Indra Raj: Wonderful. So you’re listening to Angel Corsi. He’s joining us here with his acoustic guitar to play us a couple songs as we’re in between sets live from the Mapleton Hill PorchFest. It’s so nice to have you here, Angel. Can you play us another song?
Angel Corsi: Yes. Speaking of stealing chords from Marvin Gaye, you can decide which one I stole these from. We don’t need to get too serious all the time, especially if you’re listening on the radio. So here’s just a lovely love song. This comes from a conversation with somebody that I really care about. And me trying to figure out that thing that happens in relationships as you grow them, where you’re just trying to spend the rest of your life with them and figure out what makes them tick.
Indra Raj: You’re listening to Angel Corsi who just performed some live music for us in our little broadcast tent here at the Mapleton Hill PorchFest. We’re coming to you live. here on KGNU. My name is Indra Raj. I’ve been your host. Angel, thank you so much for joining us.
Angel Corsi: Thank you so much for letting me do this. It’s a great opportunity. It’s a great event. So make sure you come out if you’re listening.
Indra Raj: Absolutely. And how can our listeners find out more about you and what you’re up to?
Angel Corsi: Best thing to do is at angelcorsi.com. But the venues really care about followers these days. So if you have social media, @corsisongs.
Indra Raj: And do you have any releases coming out soon?
Angel Corsi: I don’t have any new stuff but I did release a record this year called “Songs for Lovers” that I did in an Airbnb in 72 hours with some other friends From Nashville and Austin and even Nederland. So it’s gonna be cool.
Indra Raj: Okay, that’s really good to know. Angel, thank you so much for joining us here. Glad you’re a part of Mapleton Hill PorchFest this year. Hope to see you again next year and on the KGNU airwaves another time.
