Thorsell wanted to be in an all female band deep down and finally was able to put it together. Was it a challenge? Oh only a 15 year challenge haha. Ever since I learned to play, I've been trying to put together an all girl band. I have played in lots of bands, but could never get all girls. I would have a keyboard player here, a mandolin, fiddle, or drummer here or there, but never all at once. Chelsea Bilbrey, lead guitarist, and my family are friends. Chelsea's father was the worship leader in my church growing up and I knew he had taught his daughters to play, so I kept bugging him, did he ask either of his girls if they wanted to be in my band yet. So finally her and I started getting together and making plans and at first we had her on bass because that's what we needed. We realized she was better on guitar and then started posting ads at music stores, Craigslist, Facebook, etc. Well good ol' Facebook panned out and we auditioned Sabrina Johnson, who showed up well rehearsed and we started practicing, booking shows as a 3 piece, and keeping the feelers out. Sabrina's husband plays in a band and through one of his gigs, Sabrina met spunky, Ellie Kimevski. Ellie was just learning to play and we said don't worry; just show up for practice and the rest is history.”

For Thorsell, putting together an all female line up provided a perfect platform for her music and in turn provided better communication and bonding from her band mates.

“It's such a male dominated industry, and I have such a gentle spirit and tender heart, I was just around one too many macho, big egos, playing over top of me, not taking me seriously, not wanting to share the spotlight, type of characters, that I figured ya’ know what it may be more drama than I want, but at least I know how females are wired and what makes us tick.”

The Honky Tonk Angels are truly not what you might expect when you see them live.  “I feel a lot of people that aren't country music fans that hear our name, Honky Tonk Angels, and might not give us a chance, but if we had a dollar for every time we heard the comment," I don't even like country music, but I like yours!", we'd be driving down the road in a Prevost right now financially backing our own tour! Haha.”  Second, putting up with the assumption about being an all female band stigma, said Thorsell, “Oh we're just a bunch of girl who can't play our instruments singing sappy love songs. We are more than a novelty act.”  

As for the content and inspiration in the originals, "It comes from the heart and life experiences. We have songs about love, no love, money, no money, break ups, make ups, partying, heck we even have songs about guns, dogs, and bucking bulls, which my family raises."

Although the band has yet to release a CD and gain attention the Angels are ready to fly and start making noise.  “As far as notoriety, not a whole lot yet. The wheels turn slow, but they are constantly turning forward. I think some of our greatest accomplishments are not material things, but things like learning to communicate, making the decision to drop our egos and hash out differences even if it's painful, learning our gear, and making our rehearsal sessions a priority, when everyone's life is dragging you in every direction. Doors are opening and word of mouth is spreading, and we are getting invited to play at bigger name venues that have National acts perform, such as the historic Odeon and Beachland Ballroom in Cleveland, so that's super exciting. There is a humbleness about us and we are just students always eager to learn and keep bettering ourselves. Also, we have just started collaborating together, which is huge, instead of me just being the main songwriter.  We'd love to make a living that actually pays bills playing music. We would love to play stadiums, where the sounds of voices of people who have been touched or inspired or related to your songs, are echoing back, singing along to our songs.”  She added, “When you work so hard and then you play that show and just feel so proud of your hard work paying off. Then you get the accolades, people dancing, seeing folks entertained by you, and it doubles the reward.”