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Angel Corsi’s music career began as a singer-songwriter, before he put his music and gigs on the backburner to fill needed roles in the Rio Grande Valley music scene – event promoter, venue owner, guitar repairman, songwriting teacher. But after several ups and downs, Corsi has scaled back his activity and reassessed his goals within his artist life and personal life.

With dental surgeries putting his gigging on hold, Corsi began a podcast while he recovers. In this saturated industry, starting a podcast would not be a big deal, but in his case, the podcast is another way of filling a new role in helping aspiring artists: being a guide through the tumultuous journey many “small time” songwriters go through. Naturally, the podcast is called “Small Time Songwriter”, with episodes presenting the logistics, mental strife, and discipline they will need to contend with.

The term “small timer” is a phrase and theme Corsi decided to emphasize for himself and the podcast. He feels that many industry gurus put out content that overestimate the status of true small-time songwriters. “None of the stuff I was studying was ever relevant to me and doesn’t concentrate on what I’m going through. They assume I’m already doing well. They say stuff like, ‘the greatest connection with your fans is your mailing list,’” Corsi says mockingly. “Yea well, I don’t have one.”

Corsi also sees a lack of transparency from industry gurus that prevents solidarity. He points out that many of them are more focused on gaining followers instead of producing art, with some not showing their own art at all. To distance himself from these gurus, he embraces being a fellow participant in taking his own advice and perspective from his episodes. “These episodes are pep talks to myself in a way. I’m reminding myself to not bullshit, to not tell myself I’m good if I’m not good.”

In the two-part episode “what’s it worth to you”, Corsi dissects the foremost artistic dilemma: as Corsi puts it, “we don’t make art for the money, but you need money to make art.” An artist’s life can be demanding, but they can gauge their values and reprioritize, and ultimately, invest in themselves. There are many other internal and external battles that Corsi explores, from distractions that cause songwriters to focus on everything but writing songs, to budgeting choices that performers have to consider. All of it is delivered with equal parts empathy and candidness.

Corsi is also going through a rebuilding process. After wearing virtually every hat in the local music scene, he is going back to his songwriting roots. Having a more focused audience was one of the first steps he had to take. He deleted many of his social media followers, only keeping those who were interested in and familiar with his music and performances.

The social media purge and new podcast also coincided with Corsi’s relocation to Longmont, Colorado, where it will serve his artist life and personal life. He and his wife will be closer to her parents, the hiking trails and the prevalent physical therapy will benefit his health, and the small but strong music scene can give him a fresh reset as a songwriter and performer.

As an artist, Corsi has the raw prowess of a folk singer, the inspiring heroics of a heartland rocker, and the scrappy spirit of a boxer. Whether his songs are tender and intimate, or weathered and crooning, they're evocative and believable. His gripping stage presence comes with humorous stage banter, commanding body language, and a surprising amount of power for one raspy voice and lone guitar. Despite the experience and talent he carries, he will have to start from the bottom in a new town, but while he reboots his small-time career, he’ll have his small-time audience to grow with him.

Thanks for reading! Follow Angel Corsi on Instagram and visit his website here. Follow The McAllenite on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for more RGV music.