By MATTHEW SOCKOL
Staff Writer
A resident from Long Branch who is pursuing a career as a singer/songwriter is preparing for the release of his upcoming studio album.
“Life Is a Celebration — Already There,” an album from Angel Vigier, is scheduled to be released in early 2017. A music video for the song “Life’s a Celebration” has been released to promote the album.
Vigier is represented by Broadcast Music Inc.
Born in Elizabeth to a single mother and one of nine siblings, Vigier moved to Long Branch in 2012. A year later, his pursuit of becoming a singer began when he entered the McDonald’s Gospelfest competition in the Prudential Center, Newark, and he finished in first place.
Not long after winning the competition, Vigier started writing and recording music with fellow Long Branch residents Lou Morreale and Chris Michael. The three formed the band the EarthTones, and Vigier also spent time working with local writer/producer Ron Haney.
Through Morreale, Vigier was introduced to singer/songwriter Jacob Bunton, who arrived in New Jersey from Los Angeles to write and record with Vigier in 2015. Bunton returned to Los Angeles with Vigier’s tracks, which caught the attention of musician/songwriter Jeff Pilson, the current bassist of the rock band Foreigner.
Pilson and his Foreigner bandmates Michael Bluestein (keyboards) and Bruce Watson (lead guitar) helped Vigier in the creation of “Life is a Celebration — Already There,” co-writing and producing the album.
The members of the rock band are looking forward to the release of the album and enjoyed their experience of working with Vigier.
“As a producer, he’s a dream come true,” Pilson said. “As a writer, he’s a dream come true. Angel has one of the best voices I’ve worked with, heard, been around and seen.”
“Angel’s voice is jaw dropping,” Watson said. “He has limitless range with a gorgeous tone and great vocal control. As a musician and a guy, he’s a pleasure to work with. He has a super strong work ethic and takes suggestions and direction really well. It’s like (I’ll say), ‘Angel, gimme something’ and he will deliver.”
Vigier, who intends to finish another studio project he is working on, is looking forward to the future.
“Angel is very excited for everyone to hear the new tracks and to follow his story and see what the year ahead brings,” Morreale said. “He was very excited to have recorded the album in LA with the band. Flying out there and being in a big studio was all new to him, but he loved every minute of it. Angel learned so much from the years of experience these band members have and has grown as an artist because of it.”