Angels of Light
| Company type | Music project |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1998 |
| Founder | Michael Gira |
| Defunct | 2009 |
| Headquarters | New York City , United States |
| Products | Music albums |
| Owner | Michael Gira (Young God Records) |
| Website | younggodrecords |
Angels of Light was a neofolk ensemble from the United States, initiated circa 1998 by singer-songwriter Michael Gira following the dissolution of Swans, a band he originally established in 1982. This new project marked a departure for Gira, embracing a softer, more melodic approach characterized by acoustic instrumentation and notable influences from both folk and country genres, in contrast to the intense sound that defined Swans' earlier work.
The project was initially intended to be called The Pleasure Seekers; however, Gira opted for a different name after discovering an existing 1960s band with that title. The debut performances took place as benefit concerts at Tonic and Bowery Ballroom, presented under the billing "Michael Gira with guests."
Angels of Light featured a fluid roster of musicians hailing from New York City and other locations, including Dana Schechter (Bee and Flower), Kid Congo Powers (The Cramps), Larry Mullins (Toby Dammit), Cassis Birgit Staudt (b-blush), Bliss Blood (The Moonlighters), Thor Harris (Shearwater), Swans guitarist Kristof Hahn, Phil Puleo (Cop Shoot Cop), and the freak-folk artist Devendra Banhart. On the albums The Angels of Light Sing 'Other People' and We Are Him, Gira collaborated with the Brooklyn-based group Akron/Family. Later, Hahn, Harris, and Puleo joined Gira in the reassembled Swans lineup in 2010, which produced the post-reunion record My Father Will Guide Me up a Rope to the Sky.
All releases by Angels of Light were distributed through Gira's own label, Young God Records.
Discography
Studio albums
- New Mother (1999)
- How I Loved You (2001)
- Everything Is Good Here/Please Come Home (2003)
- The Angels of Light Sing 'Other People' (2005)
- Akron/Family & Angels of Light (2005) – split release with Akron/Family
- We Are Him (2007)
Live albums
- We Were Alive! (2002)
Singles
- "Praise Your Name" (1999)