Angels of Light

Angels of Light, sometimes called The Angels of Light, were an American rock band from New York.

Founder and only permanent member, Michael Gira, former bandleader who also originated from New York, influential noise rock band Swans. After dissolution of the Swans in 1997 and the short-lived project The Body Lovers / The Body Haters Gira, the Angels of Light brought to life. Originally wanted Gira call the band "The Pleasure Seekers ". This idea was put on hold when it turned out that there was already a band with that name in the 1960s. The first two live performances were still simply billed as " Michael Gira with guests ." All albums of the Angels of Light are laid on Gira's own label, Young God Records.

Unlike the often dark noise rock sounds of the Swans, the focus of Gira's new band was on melodic compositions with influences from folk, psychedelic and progressive rock.

Angels of Light collaborated with musicians and bands such as Dana Schechter of Bee And Flower, Kid Congo Powers of The Cramps, Julia Kent, Larry Mullins aka Toby Dammit, Thor Harris from the Swans and Shearwater and the indie band Akron / Family from Brooklyn. Even the freak folk musician Devendra Banhart, which was also initially published by Young God Records, played with the Angels of Light.

2009 sparked Gira on the Angels of Light, after he had decided to call the Swans back to life. Many songs on the comeback album My Father Will Guide Me up a Rope to the Sky (2010) were originally intended as Angels of Light songs.

Discography

• New Mother (Young God Records, 1999)
• Praise Your Name (Young God Records, 1999) - 7 "Single
• How I Loved You (Young God Records, 2001)
• We Were Alive! (Young God Records, 2002)
• Everything Is Good Here / Please Come Home (Young God Records, 2003)
• Sing " Other People " (Young God Records, 2005)
• Akron / Family & Angels of Light (Young God Records, 2005) - split album with Akron / Family.
• We Are Him (Young God Records, 2007)