The Return of Angelika Dusk

Giorgos Nastos, 10/01/2025

BHMAGAZINO

The talented singer-songwriter pays tribute to the 80s with her new songs and reminds us that acceptance should be the foundation of all relationships.

Photo by Nikos Koustenis

It’s been nearly ten years since we first discovered Angelika Dusk through the addictive single “Beautiful Love” and the polished, English pop album Marionette. Over the last five years, however, she had stepped away from the music scene. So it was a real joy to see her return recently with the atmospheric and uplifting “Deeper Love” ,the first track from her upcoming album, which will feature strong 80s influences, a decade she deeply loves.

Her longtime established producer and collaborator Rupert Christie is once again by her side, responsible for the meticulous production that bridges past and present. The daughter of prominent contemporary art collector Dimitris Daskalopoulos, Angelika spoke to BHMAgazino about how much she missed music, her memories of the 80s, and the importance of acceptance, starting with ourselves.

What made you return to music professionally?

“My desire to write and share music never faded. But I felt a need to express myself again through my songs, to write what I truly love, without caring about what others think. I had stopped creating music for a while because I let other people’s opinions guide me, and I lost my identity. It was a difficult period full of self-doubt. I reached a point where I thought I wasn’t good enough to sing, and I spent two years without opening my mouth, except when singing lullabies to my daughter when she was a baby. During that time, I also took classical piano lessons.

Eventually, a combination of events led me back to music. I reconnected with my colleague, songwriter Johnny Latimer. In just three days, we wrote five songs, and I realized how much I had missed creating and how much I had to say. Music has always been a way for me to communicate, both with the world and with myself. Once I felt ready to create again, I knew I’d do it on my own terms. I started vocal lessons to regain my confidence. I began working and told myself I would only do what my soul tells me. Because music is what I love more than anything else.”

Why does the new album have an 80s sound?

“Even though I love experimenting with various genres, 80s music touches my heart more than any other kind. I grew up with those sounds, so it was natural to return to them. The new album is still in development: we’re working with demos for now. Our references include artists like Don Henley, Cock Robin, Phil Collins, Madonna, and Prince. Rupert and I experiment on the sound, from bass lines to guitar textures, to authentically capture that feeling.”

But you only experienced the 80s as a very young child.

“I was born in 1981. But I vividly remember dancing in front of the TV to movies like Flashdance, Footloose, and Grease. My first musical memories include songs like 'The Boys of Summer,' 'Physical,' 'The Promise You Made,' and 'Big in Japan'. I also remember the Walkman my father gave me, with those metal-headband headphones. I’d try to record songs from the radio onto cassette tapes and get annoyed if the DJ talked over them! I made mixtapes for my friends. These experiences shaped my relationship with music.

It required dedication and focus, it was almost ritualistic. Back then, our connection to music was more physical. Without streaming, we valued every album and every song more. That’s the feeling I want to bring to my own work.”

Why are you confident now that you’re doing what you truly want? What has changed compared to a few years ago?

“I’ve worked very hard to reach a place of confidence and stability. Of course, there are moments of doubt. But I no longer let others influence me as much. I now filter what I hear, I think about who’s speaking and why. When you sing, everyone thinks they have the right to share their opinion. I used to give equal weight to all feedback; now, the most important opinion is my own. I’m my own judge. My main goal now is what it always should have been: to be authentic. To sing exactly what I feel.”

It seems like starting a family also gave you strength.

“Yes, but I believe that if someone doesn’t want to grow up, they’ll always find a way to remain emotionally immature. Motherhood matured me a lot. It made me realize I can’t be a child anymore. I have a daughter who depends on me, and I want to give her the best I can. That means being stable, offering love and acceptance, but also setting boundaries. My life changed drastically with her arrival, and that affected my music too. When you have a child, every decision affects them. That made me rethink my relationship with music. I want my daughter to see a mother who is passionate about what she does, and a woman who isn’t afraid to be herself.”

Tell us about “Deeper Love” and its message.

“‘Deeper Love’ is about a deeper love: for ourselves, for our loved ones, and for the audience. During the years that I was away from the music industry, I did a lot of psychotherapy and a lot of dancing. I wanted to physically liberate myself. At first, even when I was dancing on my own, I’d worry about how I looked. Gradually, I let go and started dancing like no one was watching.

I brought that into the song as well. I stopped thinking about how to hit the note and focused on singing from the gut. I wanted to create a directness with the audience, so there’s also a Greek version of the song, titled 'Sýndesi Alithiní' (True Connection), with lyrics adapted by Nikos Moraitis and myself. For me, this song is an invitation to open up. Because the more open we are, the closer we get to one another. I want to share stories that touch people, stories about connection and empathy. ‘Deeper Love’ is a reminder that acceptance is the foundation of all our relationships, starting with ourselves.”

Do you care about commercial success?

“For me, success is no longer measured by YouTube views, Spotify streams, or Instagram followers. What matters is creating music that I love and that deeply resonates with those who listen to it, however many or few they may be.”

What’s different about your upcoming album compared to your previous ones?

“My debut album, Marionette, had a fairytale vibe. I likened emotional manipulation to a big black dragon, or said people treated me like a puppet. The next album was darker, with a harder, more rock-oriented sound. The new project has a more optimistic tone. I talk about how we may face difficulties, but we’ll find a way to be alright because we try, or because I’m here for you and you’re here for me. There are songs about the obstacles we face, but they always carry a message of hope. Some tracks are energetic, danceable.

One of my favorites is called ‘Just the Way You Are,’ about accepting others exactly the way they are. Others are sweeter and more nostalgic,  because the 80s had romance and melancholy. Like ‘Who’s Gonna Drive You Home’ by The Cars, which makes me think of a winter beach walk: it has rained, you’re holding your coat, walking with someone you love. Or a highway drive with your hair blowing in the wind. And it’s never summer, because I hate summer.

Which artists do you enjoy nowadays?

“Dua Lipa: she’s played a lot with 80s elements. I loved ‘Houdini.’ The Weeknd too, of course. I’m obsessed with Chris Stapleton, Jon Batiste, American singer-songwriter Lissie, Lewis Capaldi, and Freya Ridings. But I always return to the classics. I saw Bruce Springsteen live, he’s a legend. I even went to a gospel church in New York and begged to be let in, and I ended up crying when they did because I was so happy. There are new releases that catch my interest, but I always go back to the greats, like Michael Jackson or Stevie Wonder.”

Do you listen to Greek music?

“I have since I was little. Definitely the great voices: I love Haris Alexiou and Alkistis Protopsalti. As a teen obsessed with rock, I listened to lots of Trypes, Xylina Spathia, and Pyx Lax. I must mention my friend Pavlina Voulgaraki, a true artist, her new album is beautiful. I also listen to Good Job Nicky, D3lta, and Leon of Athens, artists close to my style. And of course, I adore Mariza Rizou’s live performances, she’s fantastic and so funny.”