Music Artist Alex Angelo is Just ‘Checking In’

Have you ever felt like you were the one to struggle from moving on after a relationship ended? Alex Angelo sure has.

In his brand-new single “Checking In,” the 22-year-old Nashville artist will certainly have you reminiscing on those good times, and probably contemplating checking in with that person. Finding inspiration from artists like pop duo Dan + Shay, Angelo pairs beautiful lyrics with a simple production that will for sure tug at your heartstrings.

No stranger to the music industry, Angelo enjoyed recent success with his song “Stuck,” which was featured on several curated Spotify playlists, including New Music Friday playlists from territories all over the world. He continues to write and produce for himself, as well as other talented, noteworthy artists in Nashville, with several releases set for 2023.

“Checking In” is Angelo’s first release that leans into the country music genre, and he took time to talk more about it with OFM.

Can you begin by telling us more about the concept and inspiration behind your new track “Checking In?”

“Checking In,” it’s kind of a breakup song. I mean, what isn’t a breakup song these days? (Laughs). It’s basically about being in a relationship where you notice the other party is slipping away, and it’s tricky. It’s a feeling that you never really want to go through, but inevitably, I think everybody kind of goes through it. I remember going through it, and I pretty much channeled that and made it into a song. That idea of being like, man, I can watch this person slip away from me for seven months. Whether it be through different little things in conversation or just a lack of interest in certain areas that they were initially sparking over in the first couple of dates, you see it tail off, and interest starts to taper.

How has it been received by listeners so far?

It’s been good! I’ve been thoroughly impressed. The last two songs I’ve put out are definitely, without a doubt my saddest, but honestly, it’s been crazy. Especially with “Checking In,” because it’s like a country song. I do country and pop pretty evenly, but those lines are so blurred now with the way the genre is.

So, I’m happy to kind of benefit from that development in the genre, and the response has been incredible. It’s a very personal song, and the fact that anybody’s like, “Man, I feel that.” It’s like putting your diary out there on the internet, but it’s been great.

What do you ultimately hope they take away from the song?

I think the one thing to take away from the song, that one sentiment, is don’t give yourself 100% to anybody unless you know that is the party you really want to be with. I took it way too serious for what it probably means, but it’s tricky. I’m navigating this in my life, in my relationships, in everything, but don’t give it all away. Keep some time, some of your routine, what you believe in, and who you are to yourself. Everybody deserves that. Cherish the time that you have alone, as well as with somebody else, but don’t give everything up for somebody else.

Have you always had a passion for singing and songwriting?

I have been surrounded by music since I was very young, but I don’t know if I always had the passion for what I’m doing exactly right now. It’s shifted and changed throughout the years as far as prioritizing what I like in music, but I’ve always been surrounded by music. My mom is a music teacher, and my dad works in radio. So, I was hearing singles from Taylor Swift and other artists before they came out.

Not to flex or anything, but I say that because I have felt the excitement of music from various angles. I was inspired from a very young age to get into this whirlwind of a business, and I don’t regret it by any means. Every day, I am so thankful to do what I do in various elements of music.

You mentioned earlier that you do a mix of pop and country. Would you say that’s primarily your musical style and aesthetic?

For right now, yes. I could see it shifting in the future, and I may eventually go into R&B. I just kind of float to different cousins of pop, and then I make music in those lanes because I love the versatility and trying different things. It also has to do with the logistical element of where I’m at right now. I live in Nashville, Tennessee; I moved here three years ago, and I am deeply embedded into the country writing circuit. I’m like, it’s inevitably going to influence my work. So, right now, for this era, I’d say I’m country pop.

You also help write and produce music for other talented artists. What do you enjoy the most about the collaborative process?

You know how in a video game when you meet one character, and then you meet three other characters because of that character? It’s this amazing tree where it’s like, I’ll work with somebody, and then they’ll be like, “I have this friend; would you want to work with them?” The networking is so natural. It doesn’t come off like you’re at a cocktail party, and you’re just throwing business cards around. It’s very much like, “Hey, you did a very good job on this song with my friend. The proof is in the pudding. I would love to work with you and see what we come up with together.”

They bring their toolbox to the table; I bring my toolbox to the table, and we see what happens.That element of collaboration is so instrumental in the development of my artistic abilities, as well as the people around me. The tide kind of rises, and the initial group of four or five writers that I came into town working with are now signing deals. It’s such a cool thing, and they’re all around my age. They’re all 22-23, coming out of college and a pandemic, and the world is opening up for them. It’s been enjoyable to look around and be like, “My peers are killing it!”

How do you feel like you are evolving as a solo artist?

As a solo artist, I honestly think I’m evolving because of the collaboration projects. I don’t write a ton by myself anymore. I think I’m probably going to get back into writing by myself because I want to see what comes out when it’s just me and the laptop. I want to see what happens, but honestly, as an artist, I am utilizing my influences more than I ever have. I am, like, a big music head, obviously. That’s ironic to say, but I am obsessed with music. It’s the one medium I focused pretty much 15 years of my life on.

So, to be negligent towards the things that influenced what I love, the songs that I enjoy, and the sounds that I enjoy, I can’t do that. I have to let those things bleed into my art, so I’m really, really embracing my influences, and my influences are eclectic. They can be corny at times; they can be fun at times, they can be all over the place. I’m showing all the cards, and I think I’m in the most recent development as far as my artistry goes.

What are some future goals you hope to accomplish with your career?

You know, not to make this dramatic by any means, and I really haven’t talked about this publicly, but I want to get an EGOT sometime during my life. I really want an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony. I feel like they’re the infinity stones for my gauntlet that I really want, and that’s not a selfish thing by any means. I respect all those different mediums, and I also respect the people that have achieved it.

It’s something that I hold very close to my heart, and I don’t see those institutions as being a matter of defining my success. It’s not that. I just want to get an EGOT because I think it would be really cool. I want to be known for having versatility. When that happens, and I’m not saying that in an arrogant way, but manifesting it, when that does happen, it will feel like I did something here.

Stay up-to-date and connect with Angelo by following him on Instagram and TikTok @alexangelo, or visit his official website, alexangelo.com. “Checking In” is available on all digital streaming platforms.

Photos courtesy of Kelsey Cotton