In a world where conformity reigns, Angela Saini fearlessly defies expectations and defines herself on her own terms. Hailing from a rich cultural background as an Indian-Austrian Canadian, she weaves her diverse influences into a tapestry of captivating crossover country-pop music. Angela’s artistic journey is a testament to unyielding positivity and empowering ideals, a path she paved through both incredible success and her darkest moments.
Angela’s newest heartfelt creation, “SAY,” is a gentle reminder encouraging honesty and permission to express yourself without fear. The empowering and catchy anthem is the third single to be released ahead of her sophomore album due early next year.
“SAY” is about honesty, and being afraid to express how you feel. “I was feeling really stifled and stuck and I realized that the fear was self-imposed. I had this imaginary dialogue about how my words were going to land with the other person, but really, I could only be free once I let go of the fear and just expressed my feelings. In the end I felt understood and heard, and it was worth the courage it took to just have that conversation. It’s like that saying that the “truth will set you free.”
Angela sweeps people away with instantly-memorable, toe-tapping pop infused with storyteller sing-alongs about courage and finding joy in surprising places. Her Calgary, Canada upbringing—a hotbed of country music—and her Garth Brooks obsession, always informs her instantly memorable songcraft. After all, you can take the girl out of the prairie, but you can’t take the prairie out of the girl.
Angela’s talent has garnered accolades from renowned sources. The Examiner hails her as “one of Toronto’s best indie songwriters,” while Celebmix describes her music as “Empowering with a little kick.” The BBC called her “massively talented.” Her music has found a home at CBC Radio, Stingray, and Sirius XM across North America. Angela proudly reached the finals for “Best Alt Country” in the Independent Music Awards in 2020 and claimed victory at the Toronto Independent Music Awards in 2017. She has graced stages across Canada, Germany, England, and the Netherlands, leaving her mark at festivals like Home County in London and The Philadelphia Folk Festival.
Angela was born into an immigrant family that ingrained in her hardworking, bootstrap ethos. Her mother hailed from a tiny mountain town in Austria, and her Indian father was born in Delhi. Both parents moved to Canada to chase their dreams when they were just teens. “Their stories are so empowering—they inspire me,” Angela affirms. She continues: “My parents instilled in me the idea that even if there is no clear path for the career or life you want, you take the risk and do it anyway.”
Angela was one of those rare talents that sang before they could speak. At the age of 15, she saw Canadian pop icon Amanda Marshall in concert at The Calgary Stampede, and her destiny was unveiled in front of her. “It was a lightbulb moment, for sure. I loved her music, but I also really loved how I felt seeing her—how she made people feel,” Angela recalls. That same year, Angela bought a guitar with her birthday money, and, thus, began her songwriting journey. By the time she was 16, Angela was a semi-professional musician in a young rock band. A few years later, she made the leap to move to Toronto with her band. “We were passionate, and put our money where our mouth was,” she says. That band toured tirelessly and issued four indie releases before Angela stepped out with her first solo EP in 2012. Her solo material caught the attention of Tragically Hip drummer Johnny Fay who worked with Angela during the demos and pre-production for her debut EP, Cake and Callouses. She has since released another EP, 5 singles, a live album, and her debut full-length, Hope on the Stereo. The solo journey continues with her latest singles, “In It For The Ride,” “It’s Ok” and now “SAY.”
While her music radiates positivity, Angela reveals that her songs were often born from the depths of her own struggles. Her life isn’t a constant parade of ponies and rainbows, but she possesses the extraordinary ability to write herself out of sadness. Choosing to uplift herself and those around her, she offers a refreshing perspective in every moment.
