‘I thought I’d finish the album then die’: how Angelo De Augustine came back from a medical nightmare

After a severe medical crisis left singer-songwriter and Sufjan Stevens' collaborator Angelo De Augustine gravely ill, he embarked on the arduous journey of relearning fundamental abilities: walking, talking, hearing, playing music, and singing. It was his profound connection to music, especially his passion for antique instruments, that became a crucial catalyst in his recovery and rehabilitation.

The distressing event unfolded on Halloween in 2022, when Angelo De Augustine, then 33, suddenly collapsed at his Los Angeles home. He vividly recalls experiencing "strange sensations" that signaled something profoundly wrong before he completely lost control of his body.

Fortunately, his family was present and swiftly transported him to the hospital, where he endured days of exhaustive medical examinations. De Augustine wryly commented, "I was conscious most of the time unfortunately," noting that his memory of that period is predominantly marked by severe impairments in hearing and vision, coupled with significant difficulties in movement.

Despite numerous diagnostic efforts, medical professionals were unable to provide a definitive explanation for his condition, eventually discharging him with instructions to return only if his senses deteriorated further to complete deafness or blindness.

Disoriented and partially incapacitated, De Augustine clung to a singular focus: the completion of "Toil and Trouble," an album he had dedicated the previous year to crafting.

He candidly admitted, "Nobody was helping and I didn’t think I would survive the illness." Unable to perform simple tasks, his unwavering determination to finish the album stemmed from the immense effort already invested. His grim resolve was clear: "As far as I was concerned, I wanted to get it finished and then thought I was probably gonna die.”