Q: Can you tell us a bit about yourself and how your childhood impacted your musical direction?
A) Hey there Bored City folks! My name is Angelica Appelman and I am a country artist from Kitchener, ON, now based in Stratford, ON. I grew up in a musical family where at a young age I listened to my Nonno and his friends singing Italian songs in four-part harmony, watched my mom be a guitar hero and lead the church choir, discovered that my dad was an undercover songwriter with little poems he would write on scrap pieces of paper, and I myself would put on karaoke concerts for friends and family to 90’s country female powerhouses Shania Twain, Faith Hill and Martina McBride with my sisters and cousins. All that to say, I come by it honestly. Music, especially country music was a big part of my childhood. I don’t remember an event where we weren’t singing or dancing or doing an impromptu performance. I was quite the ham and I loved to make people laugh and smile, so that fear of performing was never an issue for me. Because of that, the passion was strong, and I was encouraged to join the choir, take voice lessons and shortly after, I attended a performing arts high school and the University of Toronto and Sheridan College for their performing arts program. It was in those years that I began to write songs, starting at the age of 13, to sort of Taylor Swift my way through school and I was forever bit by the songwriting bug. I would pen lyrics every night before bed and make up little jingles or melodies to go with it that had to do with my day. It was kind of my therapy and “happy place” when I needed to express myself. I then started to perform professionally by the age of 17 for weddings and corporate events and I just knew that it was my calling, and I knew from a young age that this is what I wanted to do (once I came to the reality that I couldn’t be a soccer star and a country star simultaneously, haha)
Q: How are you planning on growing your fan base and sharing your music with the world? What message do you have for anyone who is about to discover “Angelica Appelman”?
A) I’ve been focusing on growing my fan base organically, connecting with one fan at a time, and really nurturing those relationships. It’s not just about the follows on Instagram or TikTok—it’s about creating a loyal, engaged community. After every show, I make it a priority to connect with fans on a personal level, ask about their lives, and follow them back on socials. I’ve learned that numbers don’t really matter if there is no conversion in some way. It’s about finding the people who truly resonate with my music and the stories I share who are going to show up at my shows, buy my merch, share my music, come along with me on this crazy ride. It was a tough lesson, but I’ve come to realize I can’t win everyone over, and that’s okay I just got to focus on the ones who get what I am throwing down! I am also incredibly excited to be partnering with the Canadian Mental Health Association to share my music with new audiences in their communities and create a bigger impact with my targeted audience for “Finding My Feet”.
If you’re discovering me for the first time, I hope you’ll find that I’m just a real person, chasing a dream and wearing my heart on my sleeve. With every song, you’ll get to know more about me—an average gal doing her best, learning, growing, and trying to become the best version of myself. I’m honest, hopeful, and unapologetically me, and that’s what I share through my music. I’m here to tell stories and messages I believe the world needs to hear—ones I’d share with my younger self or the next generation.
Q: If you had to describe your creative energy in one word right now, what would it be and why?
A) “Purposeful.”
My creativity right now feels guided by a sense of purpose. I’m really focused on creating music that feels true to who I am and that I hope will resonate with others. It’s about crafting songs with intention and a sense of direction, knowing that each one has something to say.
Q: How did the songwriting process for “Finding My Feet” differ from your previous singles?
A) For Finding My Feet, the songwriting process was a lot more personal and therapeutic than with my previous singles. In the past, my songs have been more about energy, fun, and establishing a certain brand, but this track was different. I had the opportunity to write with incredible hit songwriters—Daryl Scott, Jesse Slack, and Rich Cloke—and through this collaboration, I was able to open up about some really deep, personal experiences and have their guidance with finding the balance of sharing my personal story while simultaneously keeping it simple and relatable enough for the audience to see themselves in the song. What started as a way for me to heal and process my own growth soon turned into something that felt much bigger. I realized that Finding My Feet wasn’t just my story—it’s something that can resonate with anyone navigating their own journey. It was the first time, I wasn’t just writing a song for me, but I was really seeing the impact that it could have on others, and I think that is why it is some of my best work to date because it brought me back to why I do music in the first place, and what I know music can do for me.
Q: Did the concept for “Finding My Feet” come to you suddenly, or did it take time to develop?
A) I had the title “Finding My Feet” for a while because I discovered it when someone asked me how I was doing post car accident. I just muttered, “oh, you know, I’m finding my feet”, kind of like a joke… and as songwriters do, I immediately had that light bulb moment – that’s a song! I wrote it in my phone and put a huge star next to it. I wasn’t entirely sure what the direction would be, but I knew it would be about my healing journey. Eventually, I would write that song when I was ready to share that story. When I was ready to bare it all, I called up Rich Cloke one of my most trusted songwriter pals and I was already in talks with Daryl Scott about setting up a write and I thought based on Daryl’s previous work that he would be a great fit for this kind of tune, and then Daryl brought along Jesse and it felt like the right team to share this story.
Q: How did you decide on the production style for “Finding My Feet”?
A) I must give credit to my producers, especially Rich DeSilva. At my EP release show in 2023, he took the rough demo and lead the band, directing them and bringing the song to life – nailing the bare, yet beautiful arrangement I envisioned. A couple of years later, we revisited it with The Agenda, reflecting on how the story had evolved from sadness to hope. Al Rowe added these simple, tasteful guitar licks, and we experimented until we found the perfect tone. What I love about working with The Agenda is their ability to adapt and improvise. They always give me the agency to say yes or no and try things out, even if they don’t end up working. For my vocal performance, I sat on the couch at the studio, relaxed and grounded, and I visualized everything I’d gone through from a healed place, thinking of wrapping my past self—and the audience—in a hug.
Q: What message or feeling do you hope fans take away from your music?
A) I hope fans take away a sense of connection and authenticity from my music. I want them to feel like they’re hearing something real and relatable—whether it’s about overcoming challenges or celebrating the highs. My songs are about being vulnerable and unapologetically yourself, and I hope that comes through. I want listeners to feel inspired, like they can embrace who they are and keep moving forward, even when things get tough. My music is meant to connect on a personal level, offering a little bit of strength and a lot of heart.
Q: What was the most challenging part of bringing “Finding My Feet” to life?
A) The most challenging part of bringing “Finding My Feet” to life was being brave enough to share such a personal story while staying true to my brand. I’ve built this fun, happy, loveable persona, so opening up about darker, real struggles, especially mental health, was tough. I had to find the balance of being honest without losing what people know me for. Once I realized I could tell the story with hope, strength, and warmth, I knew we had the right direction. I had to dive into uncomfortable places at the start, so the chorus and bridge would have more impact. It wasn’t just about me—it was for those girls struggling behind a mask, letting them know it’s okay not to be okay, and that they’re not alone.
Q: What’s one thing you’ve learned about yourself as an artist in the last year?
A) This past year, I’ve realized I’m stronger and more in tune with myself than I thought. I know what I want to say and how I want to say that. I’ve always been the fun, goofy girl, but I’ve learned to embrace the deeper, messier parts of myself too. I stopped chasing attention and started trusting what’s meant for me will come. The more I let myself be real, the more my music connects with people—and that’s been pretty magical. It’s been a process of letting go and rolling with the ups and downs. I kept my head down, focused on my journey, and moved in silence and that brought me a lot of great moments. At the end of the day, I’m just sharing my perspective and my heart, hoping it resonates with others.
Q: To wrap things up, what’s one word of advice you’d give to someone chasing their dreams, inspired by your journey?
A) “Keep going.”
As cliché as it is, it’s true! Chasing your dreams isn’t always a smooth ride. The highs are high, but the lows can be tough. It’s the perseverance to keep moving forward, no matter the bumps, that makes the difference. Stay focused, worry about being the best version of yourself, and trust that your moment will come. Enjoy the small wins—they’ll keep you going. Every step, even the tough ones, is getting you closer to where you’re meant to be. Don’t compare your journey to others; what’s meant for you won’t pass you. Take time to rest, reflect, and move in silence. And above all, be kind to yourself. You’ve got this!
