A Chat with Angel T33th (11.08.25)
Angel T33th, a skateboarder, multi-instrumentalist, and self-taught songwriter, has crafted a record that threads pop, indie, electronic, rock, and soul into something entirely her own with A Message to Myself. We chat with Angel T33th to trace her influences from skatepark soundtracks to late-night headphone listening, and reflect on the healing, growth, and trust in instinct that carried her through the creative process.
OSR: You’ve carved out a really unique sound. Who were the artists that helped shape your musical palette growing up?
Angel T33th: Thank you. I’ve had a deep connection to a wide range of music since I was little. My earliest memories are of my mom playing Fleetwood Mac, The Cure, Sinead O’Connor, Led Zeppelin, Cocteau Twins, and Earth, Wind & Fire at home and in the car. Skateboarding and competing in the early 2000s also shaped my taste. I was constantly hearing Gorillaz, Portishead, New Order, and Violent Femmes at my local skatepark, skate shop, and in skate videos. I also remember listening to Tori Amos on my portable CD player, walking to school in 3rd grade, and my CD collection included Le Tigre, The Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Oasis, and Tegan and Sara.
OSR: A Message to Myself feels incredibly personal and emotionally layered. What inspired you to finally bring these fragments and older ideas together into a full-length album?
Angel T33th: Halfway through working on the album, I started digging through old voice memos and unfinished songs I had collected for more than a decade. Many were from when I was first learning to record in Logic and Ableton while still writing acoustic songs. One of the first I revisited was ‘DAMNU’, which I wrote over 10 years ago during a very painful time. It was also the first track I finished with my long-time friend Austyn Gillette. We had jammed many years ago and reconnected for this project, giving the song a new life and inspiring me to look deeper into what else I had stored away.
OSR: Your music blends pop, indie, electronic, rock, and soul effortlessly. How do you approach genre when you’re writing or producing?
Angel T33th: I approach genre intuitively. With such a wide range of influences, it feels like I carry a catalog of sounds in my mind. When I start a song, I am open to whatever wants to come through. The early stages are playful, and I try not to limit myself. As the song develops, I make more intentional choices, shaping harmonies, adjusting textures, or leaning into contrasts such as pairing darker vocals over something bright and pop-leaning or adding ethereal layers to a grounded rhythm.
OSR: What role did intuition play in the making of this album, especially as a self-taught songwriter?
Angel T33th: Intuition was everything. I have been creating from instinct for years without naming it. While making this album, I began consciously listening to my inner voice in music and in daily life and strengthening that trust brought more ease to my process. Songs like ‘Always 4 Ever’ and ‘Luna’ came together in just a couple of days, reminding me that following intuition often leads to the most natural and effortless ideas.
OSR: What was the most difficult song or moment to finish on the album, and why?
Angel T33th: ‘See Me This Way’ took the longest. I started it four years ago while experimenting with layering electric guitar over my synth-driven beats. The demo was strong, but I overthought it for years. When I returned to it with a fresh creative outlook, I realized the magic was in the raw, imperfect recordings from those early sessions. I kept the original takes and added one new element, the lyric “I believe in you” in the final chorus. Finishing it was as much about believing in myself as it was about completing the song.
OSR: The album’s title suggests a kind of self-communication or healing. Was there a particular message you really needed to hear when making it?
Angel T33th: There were many, and they kept evolving. Each song carried its own moment of healing, but together they became an ongoing conversation with myself. What I needed at the start was different from what I needed by the end, and I know the album will keep revealing new messages as I grow. It is a reminder that creative work can keep teaching us long after it is finished.
OSR: The album feels like it moves through phases of grief, healing, and rebirth. Were there any specific turning points in your life that catalyzed this creative process?
Angel T33th: A few years into making the album, I reconnected with my long-time friend Austyn Gillette, and working together brought new energy to the project. Around that time, I made a deliberate shift in how I approached my life and creativity. I wrote ‘Crescendo’ during this period, knowing a major change was underway. Choosing to live more authentically became the foundation for the healing and growth that shaped the rest of the album.
OSR: What do you hope people take away after listening to the album, from a sonic perspective and an emotional one?
Angel T33th: Sonically, I hope listeners feel both familiarity and discovery. Emotionally, I invite listeners to feel what each song evokes in them.
OSR: What’s something about Angel T33th that people wouldn’t expect just from listening to the music?
Angel T33th: Many of the vocals on the album are freestyled takes, recorded in the moment and kept exactly as they were. Rerecording often loses the magic of the original emotion, so I chose to preserve those honest moments. ‘Always Forever’ is built from untouched freestyled verses, and ‘Crescendo’ was recorded straight through in single takes. In a time when everything can be polished, I wanted to keep the imperfections.
OSR: Looking ahead, what excites you most, musically or otherwise, now that the album is out in the world?
Angel T33th: I am already writing and recording new material, so I am excited to keep sharing music and exploring new sounds. A Message to Myself was a transformative experience that gave me more freedom and clarity in my creative process. I am looking forward to collaborating with other artists, performing these songs live with a full band, and continuing to create from a place of authenticity and ease.
Many thanks to Angel T33th for speaking with us. Find out more about Angel T33th on her Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Spotify
