Premiere: Michael Charles Smith’s “Angel”

For Portland-based multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Michael Charles Smith, music was the light flickering at the end of the tunnel that brought him back from the from the throes of addiction. With his forthcoming album In The Shadow, Smith is claiming accountability for the wreckage of his past, with his own unique brand of delicate avant pop drawing influence from the likes of Elliott Smith, Andrew Bird and Mercury Rev. 

Today, Eleven is pleased to premiere Michael Charles Smith’s “Angel,” the second single from In The Shadow. With lightly tip-toeing strings and soft melodic vocals, Smith lets us in on his personal struggle with what or whoever his metaphorical angel may be, “And you realize that I compromise your place in the sky / So you pushed off me now I’m falling free and I’m destined to die… die alone.” 

Catch Michael Charles Smith this Sunday, November 12 at the Liquor Store celebrating the release of “Angel,” joined by Ian Mackintosh (of Mackintosh Braun) and James West.