Angels of Light include many New York City collaborators, including Dana Schechter of Bee and Flower, Kid Congo Powers of The Cramps, Larry Mullins aka Toby Dammit, Bliss Blood of The Moonlighters and Pain Teens, Thor Harris of Shearwater, and most recently the Brooklyn band Akron/Family.
Gira talks about the Angels project :
I write the songs on acoustic guitar, then gather musicians and friends, and build up the orchestrations with them in the studio and in live performances. I guide the process, but solicit their creative contributions actively. Each recording contains the contributions of an ever-changing plethora of amazing musicians, whom I thank here heartily!
After many years (too many to comfortably contemplate!) of dwelling on "sonic overload" with Swans, I now concentrate on augmenting the songs I write with orchestrations that support the basic song, rather than the sound itself taking over.
My goal is to achieve the same sense of magic I experienced as a child listening to Burle Ives recordings of Brer Rabbit and other such marvels, including the early Disney children's records I listened to long ago.
I view the arrangements as little films created to make a context for the words and voice, so that one can drift off into the world the music creates. I produce the Angels recordings, and the production of the recordings is as important to me as the songs themselves.
Most of the instruments used in the recordings are acoustic, but not all. Electric guitars, bass and drums etc., are sometimes used (as well as an occasional electronic sound, or loop), but I intentionally steer clear of a "Rock" sound. It doesn't interest me at all any more.
However, I have no particular fealty to "The Song" as if it were some sacred codex. On the other hand, just sitting around my house, writing these things, and finally coming up with a statement that I think makes sense, I want to bring them to life as much as possible, in new and challenging ways for both myself and you, so I always strive to present them in a fresh and interesting context.
For this reason, I'm always changing the sonic approach from record to record.
All Angels of Light albums have been released on Michael Gira's label Young God Records.
The name Angels of Light was first used by the spiritual theater group founded by drag queen Hibiscus of The Cockettes. It is not known whether Gira's group was named in homage to Hibiscus's similarly metaphysically-minded group.
Song For Nico
The Angels of Light Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There lies a strange joy
in my thought's embrace.
I'm selfish, contage me
the meaning of your shallow taste.
Paradise is glowing in your milky sea.
The red velvet scar on your white inner thigh
shows the beautiful colors of the scars in your mind,
but I am the reason your legs are apart.
Mother, come into my heart.
Your voice is the steel blade
dissecting my cloud.
This song is my prayer
to the shape of your mouth.
You are the reason
I've stayed on this earth.
Mother, sing me into my birth
The Angels of Light's song Song for Nico is a haunting and enigmatic tribute to the singer-songwriter and artist, Nico. The opening lines "There lies a strange joy in my thought's embrace" suggest a mixture of pleasure and pain in the singer's recollection of Nico. The following line, "I'm selfish, countage me the meaning of your shallow taste" further alludes to the singer's desire for Nico's attention and validation. The line, "Paradise is glowing in your milky sea" is a metaphorical reference to Nico's heroin addiction and its allure.
The song takes a twisted turn in the next verse with the reference to a "red velvet scar on your white inner thigh". The scar is symbolic of the physical and emotional scars that Nico had acquired in her life. The singer proclaims, "I am the reason your legs are apart" which suggests a possessive and domineering relationship between the two. In the final lines of the verse, the singer implores "Mother, come into my heart" which can be interpreted in a number of ways. It can be seen as the singer yearning for Nico's love and acceptance, or as a reference to the maternal void in Nico's life.
The final verse "Your voice is the steel blade dissecting my cloud" is an eloquent and poetic way of expressing the effect of Nico's music on the singer. The singer declares that Nico's music is his prayer to the shape of her mouth. The final line, "You are the reason I've stayed on this earth" expresses the profound effect that Nico had on those around her, perhaps even saving lives through her music.
Line by Line Meaning
One, two, three, four
Counting down to begin the song.
There lies a strange joy in my thought's embrace.
Finding pleasure in one's own thoughts.
I'm selfish, contage me the meaning of your shallow taste.
Asking others to share their experiences and knowledge with the singer.
Paradise is glowing in your milky sea.
Referring to the beauty of the person the artist is addressing.
Mother, come, come for me.
Addressing the person the artist refers to as 'Mother' and asking for their presence.
The red velvet scar on your white inner thigh shows the beautiful colors of the scars in your mind, but I am the reason your legs are apart.
Commenting on the beauty of a physical scar and making a suggestive statement about the relationship between the singer and the person addressed as 'Mother.'
Mother, come into my heart.
Requesting emotional closeness and connection with the person addressed as 'Mother.'
Your voice is the steel blade dissecting my cloud.
Describing the power of the person's voice.
This song is my prayer to the shape of your mouth.
Expressing admiration for the appearance of the person's mouth and the emotion behind the song.
You are the reason I've stayed on this earth.
Acknowledging the importance of the person in the artist's life.
Mother, sing me into my birth.
Asking the person addressed as 'Mother' to provide guidance, support, or inspiration to the singer.
Contributed by Kayla E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.