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She has been described as bold and humble, a little "out there" and down-to-earth. Perhaps that is why you find a paradox of sinner and saint mirrored in her blend of introspective yet demanding lyrics—and why people from many walks of life are able to identify with Angela Josephine.



When asked to describe her art and music, this quality (or quirk depending on who you are talking to) becomes apparent as Angela turns the question around.



“I think the point of art is the response, so I guess the best description for my music would be to ask,‘What would you say?’”



And people do have things to say.



Tony Cummings of Cross Rhythms Magazine says, “Angela Josephine shows herself to be a poetic songwriter able to pen songs that get under the shield of the post-modern muse with power and poignancy.”



While accolades are encouraging, Angela (more fondly known as AJ) gets her drive from meeting people right where they re. That means paving a diverse road of appearances and playing to a variety of audiences. Coffee houses across the Midwest have warmed to the soulful brew of her music in an intimate setting, while large festivals have provided a stage. For AJ, it's the honest and candid rendition of the journey that leads to changed lives and gives authenticity to her music.



One fan poetically conveys this sentiment. “There’s a lyric in a Beatles song that reminds me of you, ‘the girl with kaleidoscope eyes.’ It’s not as though you don’t see all the broken dislocated pieces, it’s just that you filter them through your eyes of faith, or kaleidoscope eyes, and then your art becomes a reflection of your faith in ‘vibrant harmonies.’ The bad stuff is transformed because of your faith.”



Vibrancy is the pulse of AJ's performances. From guitar to piano, hammered to mountain dulcimer, AJ tells us stories of God. She blends her music, art and poetry to paint an intimate, spiritual self-portrait whereby you glimpse your own likeness. You’ll be comfortable or comfortably challenged with the imperfect depiction of yourself and the reminder of an approachable loving God who beckons you to belong to Him.



AJ’s current release, Grace Exhaled brings home the powerful message of being who we are created to be. One of the tracks, ‘Live and Breathe’, celebrates our reason for being with the words, “I was created to live and breathe and move and sing, praises to the One who ordained that it might be that I could live and breathe and move and sing… and I will praise my Creator.” The album is as finely crafted and unique as the people involved.



AJ explains, “The CD is not the live experience, but it’s not supposed to be. It should have the warm homey feel of Wade Jayne’s sweaters (bass guitar – Phil Keaggy), the whimsy of Shane Martin dancing in the studio (acoustic guitar – Rebecca St. James), the jazzy sass of Jamba’s funky hat (keys – Jaci Velasquez) and the smoky flavor of a Chris Omartian pipe (drums – Out of Eden). It’s all put together and spiced up by a crazy Italian chef, John Pisciotta (producer—Paradiso Music, Nashville, TN). Well, and then there’s me...”



And if you haven’t figured out just who AJ is yet, producer John Pisciotta can tell you this much.



"Angela is the kind of artist that pulls from multiple worlds - musical, visual, and poetic. In this way, she is comfortable being different, comfortable being who and what God is making her to be."



So what is the answer? Would she rather be thought of as ‘bold’ or ‘humble’, 'out there' or ‘down-to-earth’? When asked that question, AJ replies that she’d like to be thought of as being who she was created to BE.




Nickel Creek, Yo-Yo Ma, Rich Mullins, The Soggy Bottom Boys...

C.S. Lewis said we are 'born remembering' in reference to that emptiness within us that longs to be filled with God. I always felt that way, the ache of vacancy on the verge of remembering. I felt His glory as lofty as the Michigan hills I grew up in and as deep as the blue Superior I could see from my porch. I wanted to believe that the Maker of all that abundance had a heart equal to it and could find a place for me. The problem was - I knew myself and couldn't see how I would ever measure up.

So, I mostly made choices borne of desperation in an effort to fill up that place. By the time I was in my second year of college, I was a divorced, single parent. I grew weary of fighting Gods love for me. I told Him that I would take care of my little boy and go to school and that He could take care of me. The day after I made that commitment, I met the man who would become my husband. I first experienced the grace of Christ through his words as he told me, "You were just looking for someone to love you."

That was the beginning of my surrender. My twig of a measuring stick snapped under the weight of the cross. Love like that can't be earned. It's freely given.

So I continue to discover the depth to which the tender mercy of Christ can reach. The abundant grace and relentless pursuit of my heart by God amazes and surprises me still. I can be paralyzed by how ugly I am inside and Jesus can look directly into me and say, "Arise, my darling, my beautiful one, and come with me. See! The winter is past..."

My music, art and poetry is a response to that voice. My passion is for you to hear it too.