Meet Angie Swan of Los Angeles/Las Vegas

Today we’d like to introduce you to Angie Swan.

Hi Angie, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I grew up in a very musical household in Milwaukee, WI. My father played both guitar and bass, I would watch him play in our basement with his friends. My mother always had records playing in the house as well. Artists such as Tina Turner, Dave Brubeck, Tracy Champan and even Robert Cray. My father would play Stevie Ray Vaughn, The Allman Brothers and Joe Satriani’s “Surfing with the Alien” album… a record that really resonated with me, even at 8 years old.

My first official guitar lesson was in 1993, let’s just say I was younger than I am now. My first teacher was Norbert Kaminski. He was adamant about me learning chords and rhythm guitar before I started soloing. As a young kid, that watched MTV (when there was actually M on the TV), I was more interested in shredding and soloing, I wanted to be like Jennifer Batten. I couldn’t understand why we didn’t just jump to that. Fast forward to today and I realize that what he engrained in me has really paid off as it’s made me a very strong listener and someone who can accompany others in a variety of styles.

I studied guitar both in and outside of school. Taking private lessons as well as joining a jazz ensemble in my high school and summer music camps. My love for learning and playing jazz helped me receive a partial scholarship to Berklee College of Music. I moved there in 2001 and that’s when I really feel in love with idea of being a professional musician. I was immersed in a melting pot of musicians and likeminded folks from all over the world. Berklee is where I started building connections that would ultimately turn into life-long friendships and future work opportunities. Relationships matter. Your network can often determine your net worth. I learned a lot during my time at Berklee, not just from my professors but especially from my peers. There was a jazz club called Wally’s Jazz Cafe that I started hanging out at once I turned 21. They had an incredible funk night. I would sit in and get my ass kicked on that stage…a few times I’d go home in tears. But those tears were nothing more than motivation for me to keep learning and growing. I kept going back, learning more about musicianship and myself each time. I left Boston in 2005 and moved to Los Angeles, CA.. I’d had it with the winters.

I’ve moved to and from LA multiple times over the past 20 years.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Abraham Lincoln once said (or maybe he didn’t) “Don’t believe everything you read on the internet”…I agree with him 😉

Social Media makes life look easy, as its highly curated. I think we all at some point have been fooled by the perceived lives of strangers or even our peers. As much “success” as I’ve had, I’ve probably failed twice as much. However, I believe a setback is merely a set up for a comeback. The extremely competitive nature of the entertainment business and Los Angeles was hard to navigate at times. It was difficult not to compare myself to others with better gear or family/industry connections. I used to be really hard on myself if I didn’t do well in an audition or was let go from a project, but I truly believe that what’s meant to happen will always be. That theory keeps being proven to be true. I definitely believe I have angels and ancestors looking over me.

As many of us have, I also deal with is imposter syndrome, even yo this day. Many years ago I got a Talking Heads lyric (“Well, how did I get here?”) tattooed on my arm. When I’m in front of thousands of people on stage I sometimes feel like I don’t deserve it. But I then remember that I’ve put in the work. Some of this imposter syndrome has been embedded from external factors, not understanding my worth or feeling like I have to constantly prove that my value should increase with my pedigree…like any other career. Black women are often paid less than their counterparts for the exact same work. Or we have to work twice as hard to be seen as equal, which can be quite tiring. And don’t we dare speak about it, otherwise you can be painted as “difficult”. It’s sadly a subconscious thing that still exists, whether folks what to admit that or not. The crazy thing is I’m currently thinking of how even mentioning stuff like this could get me doxxed… but then I go back to my mantra “whatever’s meant to be will be”. I live in my truth nowadays and my faith. This growth and acceptance has taken a long time, but I’m extremely grateful for it.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’ve had the privilege of working with some incredible artists over my career. In 2025 alone I performed with The Kid Laroi, Leona Lewis, Ke$ha, Cynthia Erivo and Adam Lambert. They are all incredible artists, however as a life long Talking Heads fan I’d have to say working with David Byrne was the cherry on top. I auditioned for David’s American Utopia tour back in 2017. I’d sent in several videos and also a referral letter from my music director from Cirque du Soleil. I was a little devastated as I hadn’t heard anything back…. until I realized David’s personal response went to my junk mailbox! (always check your junk kids!). I quickly responded with an enthusiastic “yes” and was in NYC a few months later. The show ended up touring 28 countries in 10 months. It was an incredible time and a great way to see some friends around the world I’d met while with Cirque du Soleil. Again, relationships matter, and the one’s that last are the ones I cherish the most. David’s show ended up going on Broadway for a few years after the tour, which was also a fun time (I did prefer the tour as I like the traveling aspect). Spike Lee ended up directing and filming the concert which was an absolute honor to be a part of. A real piece of history.

Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
I’ve been a hired gun for over 20 years an honestly think it’s time for a new chapter. I am at the place in life that “playing for a big name” doesn’t do for me what it once did. I want to finally share with the world what I’ve been hiding in my head, heart and soul: my original project. This project will consist of both comedy and musical elements, maybe I’ll try to be sexy too. I also want to continue to inspire other musicians. I’m already seeing people half my age coming into the music industry and getting exploited and paid peanuts. I want to help guide them and teach how to understand their value and how to use the tools available.

Also, in 2026 I am looking forward to collaborating more with my close friends (shout out to my best friend Nikki Glaspie and the Super Sonic Shorties) . As I’ve gotten older I’ve chosen to be a little more selfish with my time and energy. Time is our most valuable asset that we can’t get back. When I leave this world I want to make sure I leave everyone a Swan souvenir, whether an album, short film or both. The obstacles with working on an original project is that it’s expensive, so I’m figuring out how to make that feasible, either through crowdfunding, sponsorships or branding. Again, the industry is constantly evolving so we have to be willing to move with it.

Notable artists/projects: David Byrne, Cee-Lo Green, Kylie Minogue, Adam Lambert, Fifth Harmony, Leona Lewis, Ke$ha, Nicole Scherzinger, Natasha Beddingfield, The Kid Laroi, Capital Cities, Boney James, Cynthia Erivo, Jesus Christ Superstar at the Hollywood Bowl, Will.i.am and Cirque du Soleil. Season 4 of HBO’s HACKS. “Joker: Folie a Deux”. Several guest appearances in the house band for the Stephen Colbert Show.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @theangieswan