Published May 1, 2019
By DAN TOMASELLO
LYNNFIELD — Lynnfield High School junior Angelo David is using the power of music to make a difference.
Angelo, 16, has been performing music since he was 8-years-old. He recently started performing at schools, festivals and charity events as part of an effort to raise awareness about social issues.
“I’ve written songs about bullying, social inclusion, the Boston Marathon bombing, autism and others,” said Angelo in an email sent to the Villager. “I feel this is a valuable way not only to raise awareness but also to raise money for organizations whose sole purpose is to advance the public’s understanding of these issues. My school tour is a great way to share my songs and my perspective in a question and answer format designed to empower students.”
Angelo noted his first performance in a school took place at the Greenwich Catholic School in Greenwich, Connecticut, which he said “worked out really well.” Principal Patrice Kopas commended Angelo’s performance in an interview with News 12 Connecticut.
“Not only do Angelo’s songs resonate with our students, he is also a great example of how hard work and determination pay off when breaking into the music industry,” Kopas stated. “Our students from preK-grade 8 truly enjoyed his performance and the Q&A session that followed. It was an unexpected surprise for our student body, and a day they will not soon forget.”
Angelo has also performed at the Boys’ and Girls’ Club of Stamford, Connecticut. He is looking forward to heading out on the road later this year.
“I’m in the middle of an end-of-the-year school tour from now until June at schools in Connecticut, New York and Rhode Island,” said Angelo. “In addition to the school gigs, I will be performing at some of the Simon Malls in Long Island and other parts of New York. Locally, I will be in Boston on June 1 to kick-off Pride Week at Faneuil Hall. On July 6, I will be performing at The Lawn on D. I’m really excited about these and look forward to seeing my Lynnfield friends there.”
Angelo released his first EP in 2013, which included a song about bullying called “House is Burning Down.” The song’s music video trended number four on YouTube.
After the song went viral, Angelo began working with Britney Spears’ music director, Marc Delcore, who produced Angelo’s next single, “Heard it at Sunset.” The moving song about the Boston Marathon bombing was released a year after the tragedy, and Angelo donated the single’s proceeds to the One Fund. The song also won the Best Music Video Award at the Long Beach Indie International Film Festival.
Angelo’s song “Mirror” won Best Music Video Award at the Indian Cine Film Festival in Mumbai, India. In 2015, Angelo’s song “Lonely” won the Best Music Video Award at the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival.
In 2017, Angelo wrote a song about togetherness for the Hatfield and McCoy Foundation, which supports unemployed coal miner families in Kentucky and West Virginia who have been struggling with depression and opioid addiction.
Angelo has performed his music at a variety of different venues. He performed with Britney Spears’ Las Vegas band at the Topsfield Fair in 2013. He performed for a sold out crowd at the Hard Rock Cafe Stage in Boston in September 2017. He has also performed at Webster Hall in New York City, the 89 North Music Venue in Long Island, New York and the Gold Coast Arts Center in New York.
“Each venue has a different type of audience, which makes it so much fun and keeps me guessing,” said Angelo.
Angelo noted he has several projects in the works.
“I just posted a lyric video for my newest release, ‘This Place,’ and I’m shooting a music video for an upcoming release, ‘The Inside,’” said Angelo. “In addition to the music video, I am producing about 20 songs kicking around in my head. I hope to have them ready for upcoming song and album releases.”
Angelo recalled that he started writing music on his toy keyboard when he was 8-years-old.
“I’ve continued with that in addition to playing the ukulele,” said Angelo. “For my shows, I’ve added a dance component and I am also producing my own music now.”
Angelo said writing and performing music is incredibly rewarding.
“For me, music is such an emotional release and a way to perfect and organize your thoughts, anxieties and feelings through sounds and words,” said Angelo. “It’s the same as creating a painting, sculpture or poem. Once people listen and start to vibe with me, it makes me realize that what I’m personally writing about is universal.”
Angelo is currently a junior at LHS.
“I was more involved in school activities like soccer, theater, Pioneer Singers and Student Council at a younger age, but the demands of the music business do not leave much extra time outside my studies,” said Angelo. “However, I’m a member of the National Honor Society and the LHS Film Club. I enjoy going to LHS events like the plays that my friends are in or those fun Friday night football games supporting our team.”
For more information about Angelo, residents can check out his website at https://www.angelodavidmusic.com or can follow him on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter at ItsAngeloDavid. Angelo’s music videos can be viewed at YouTube.com/ItsAngeloDavid.
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