Criss Angel - Feature Artist
Date: January 2003
Source: Mary Ellen Gustafson
This month’s Feature Artist is one
of the most interesting people I’ve had the pleasure
of presenting in the history of this E-zine. Considering
the thousands of artists covered in the past six plus
years, that’s a pretty powerful statement! Although
music is first, last and always the topic of “critically
hip, music-reviewer.com,” CRISS ANGEL the musician
is impossible to separate from the multi-level performer
he is today.
You may have seen him on a TV special at some point
in the past few years, since practically every popular
network and cable channel has included him in programs
about the Art Of Illusion. In addition, he was named
Magician Of The Year in 2001. His special, “Criss
Angel – Mindfreak,” has been running on the
ABC Family channel since before Halloween. The special
covers everything from his street magic, to his sold
out “Mindfreak” show (playing at the World
Underground Theater in New York City since December,
2001 through 01/06/03), to his latest stunt entitled
“Submerged,” which took place from 08/26 through
08/27/02, as he re-created the famous Houdini “Water
Torture Cell” stunt with a BIG twist in NYC’s
Times Square. When he exited the Chamber (with a World
Record) after being submerged for 24 hrs., then having
his air supply taken away while he freed himself from
his shackles and escaped from the tank, he was mentioned
on every network news show and featured in publications
all over the world.
So why is “music-reviewer.com” featuring
someone who is best known for his magic, escapes and
stunts? Because CRISS ANGEL is a musician first and
his additional performance talents have been added over
the years. After reading everything I could find about
him and interviewing him for an hour, I’ve barely
scratched the surface of all there is to know about
this guy. However, what I did not find was emphasis
placed on his music until I actually spoke to Criss.
He has released 5 albums on APITRAG Records (his label),
four of which are available on his web site (“System
1,” “System 2” and “System 3 In
The Trilogy” and the “Mindfreak” soundtrack
– see reviews below), www.crissangel.com or by
calling 1-800-ANGEL-99. ALL songs were written, produced,
arranged, performed (including vocals) and mixed by
Angel and his oft time industrial music collaborator
Klayton. On the subject of APITRAG, Criss told me: “I
will never as an artist be put in the position where
I’m told how it has to be done. For me, having
artistic control is one of the most important things.
The ability to live in a technological age that allows
one to create, develop and sell product quickly and
cost effectively, without having to deal with a record
company mentality, is why I created APITRAG. Freedom
to create and get it out. Eventually I will find other
artists who will be signed if they have that special
something I want to back.”
Criss began his odyssey as a musician at the age of
6 playing drums. His brother was a musician and had
a variety of bands, so he was the first musical influence
on young Criss. At age 10, Angel became fascinated with
magic, which is when he began to study his second love,
the art of illusion. In addition, he also mastered martial
arts, dance and pyrotechnics and acquired his state
and federal explosive licenses at the earliest legal
age. When he was about 16 he decided to leave the drums
and front his successful NYC band, which put him a new
position as a songwriter. He has always composed his
own music and lyrics. At that time in his life he sidelined
magic because “ . . .nobody thought it was cool.
I was old school and played in bands. I actually played
out in NYC for many years and the music on the ‘System
Trilogy’ was written a long time ago and performed
at club gigs.” Although the “System Trilogy”
albums sound like loops and over-dubs and electronic
tracks, it actually isn’t. There is no programming
and no computer. “I’m no micro guy,”
Angel explained. “I do broad strokes and then go
back and fill in the details. I do tapes of stuff for
different parts and then collaborate and mix with various
people.” His current stage show, “Mindfreak,”
has to have a soundtrack for space reasons – the
theater is small and so is the stage - but he prefers
live music to accompany his visuals.
When I asked how he got started with the combination
of his music and magic, he told me: “I love the
art of magic, but I was looking for a way to make it
more contemporary and give people an experience they’ve
never had before. I want to put the art of magic into
our times. My music stands on its own and so does the
magic. Then I combine them both. I’m creating a
unique brand of entertainment and want the audience
to connect emotionally to each moment. I want the lines
between reality and illusion to be blurred. There was
no model for me to follow, because none of this has
been done before. I’m the producer, director and
performer and pretty much do it all. Then I bring in
experts for the parts I’m don’t know about
to get the best possible product in the end.” The
experts who assisted in putting together “Mindfreak”
are indeed a stellar lot, including production design
by John Farrell (countless theater productions and Radio
City’s Spring and Christmas Spectaculars), movement
consultation by renowned choreographer Debra Brown (Cirque
Du Soleil’s O, Mystere and Quidam), creature design
and construction by the award-winning Steve Johnson
(Species, The Abyss, Men In Black, Blade) and lighting
design by Tony Award winners Jules Fisher and Peggy
Eisenhauer.
Since I don’t live anywhere near New York, I can’t
review the Criss Angel MINDFREAK show personally, but
it is described as “ . . . a provocative journey
through the mind, body and spirit that stands in supernatural
defiance of all logical reason. Otherworldly creatures
assist Criss Angel as he discards the conventional tools
of his trade and redefines centuries of tradition. The
audience members are in such close proximity to the
spectacular, mind-altering illusions that they are left
to wonder if they will ever be able to trust their senses
again.” The show is performed “in the round”
in a 150 seat theater, so the audience is up close and
personal with each illusion. Criss gave me an example
of how he performs one of the oldest illusions in existence,
Metamorphosis. Everyone uses a curtain or box or some
other device to “assist” in the exchange of
people. Criss Angel told me he performs this illusion
WITHOUT a curtain or device and it takes less than one
second for him to change places with one of the supernatural
creatures that are part of his show.
The “Mindfreak Soundtrack ”. . .is the aural
version of Angel’s supernatural freak show. . .Like
its visual, ‘Mindfreak’s’ audio component
is a dramatic opus that weaves layers of haunting electronic
and organic textures with infectious melodies.”
After reading this I asked Angel about the creative
process that brings together the aural and visual parts
of an illusion. As most artists do, he replied “I
do what comes to me. Usually it’s the illusion
first and I create the music to back it. I do what it
takes to make the music match the illusion. But sometimes
music will inspire the visual. I have an advantage because
I can create and combine both art forms.”
Then the dreaded (by both interviewer and interviewee)
“category” question came up. And Criss Angel’s
response is pretty much what I always hear. “I
guess if I had to I’d call it rock, but I have
so many influences from rock to rap to hip hop to electronica
to R&B. People who would never buy my music from
a category in a store buy the CDs at the show - and
it’s people of all ages and tastes. I can have
a bunch of people listening to my music and they’ll
all come out with a different interpretation and it’s
wonderful that people can connect to it in some way.”
As far as future projects, he said “I’m starting
to gather the troops to put together a tour and write
new music. The tour will be an event, include a major
stunt (like the “Water Torture Cell” or “Hooks
Through His Back Suspension” for almost 6 hrs.
performed in Feb. of 2002), lots of projection screens,
new illusions, various creatures, etc. I expect to have
another CD out by 2004 that will be strictly music.
In my heart I’m a musician more than a magician.”
My last question was “How do all your various
talents interact to make up Criss Angel the person?”
His answer, “My life is all about passionate commitment
and what I absorb myself in. I try to find out about
things I’m interested in. I’m somebody very
committed and thick-skinned and I will conquer whatever
I put my mind to. Mind, body and spirit work as one,
then comes anything else. No mater what I want to accomplish,
I commit to what’s necessary to complete my vision.
Whether it’s hanging from hooks or writing music,
I will spend as much time as necessary to complete it.”
And so it goes with Criss Angel as he continues to
garner more attention for his unusual combination of
talents. When asked about fellow illusionist David Blaine,
Angel says, “I can appreciate his achievements,
but I honestly think the people would love to see who
the true provocateur of the 21st century is – so
I invite him to any challenge, anytime, anywhere, side
by side!” That is something I’d really like
to see!
You can read the article here.
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