Up Close and Personal with Alyssa Joseph
Alyssa Joseph is an artist on the rise for 2018. The songstress who has been making waves with her new release ""[ir]rational," which is out digitally now. We had the chance to catch up with the buzzworthy artist for a special interview below!
1. What is the inspiration behind the new album release? Let's dive in shall we?
It’s called [ir]rational, and it’s basically the balance (or imbalance) between rational and irrational thoughts. There are three songs on the EP, and each deals with a different aspect of mental and emotional health. The first song, “night”, is about anxiety-induced insomnia and the frustration that comes with not being able to sleep at night. The second song on the EP I wrote when I was graduating from college and in the middle of an existential crisis. It’s pretty dark and explores existentialism and portrays how lost I felt. And the last song is really the resolution of all that turmoil. It’s about accepting the fact that things aren’t perfect, accepting all the anxiety and unknowns and just living in the present moment.
2.What made you discover your passion for creating an eclectic blend of Rock n' Roll?
I used to be a solo acoustic act, and I knew I didn’t just want to be a girl with a guitar anymore. I wanted to be a girl with a sound. My producer, Perry Longo, and I were sitting in the studio brainstorming ways to make that “sound”, and after a two-hour conversation we came to the conclusion that letting go of my acoustic guitar and picking up an electric was the move I needed to make. Since then, I’ve become more of an alternative singer/songwriter. It’s more raw. It’s more angsty.
The electric guitar provides the space and ambience and power. That has allowed me to embrace the edgier side of my music and myself. It’s been a cathartic experience because I’ve been able to let go of the previous phase of my life and hone in on this new, more confident side of myself - and it’s definitely evident in my songwriting.
We then added a second guitar player, Rish Singh, and we’re currently in the process of finding a drummer. This EP is a lot of layered electric guitars and layered vocals and playing with the simplicity of those two instruments. It’s the transition from solo acoustic to a future fuller-band sound.
3. What places in your mind do you channel to craft your songs?
Writing for me is a very cathartic process. When I need to vent or “release” I write a song. I work through my emotions by writing songs. I’m very much inspired by my life experiences. Whenever I’m out and I have an idea for a lyric, I’ll put it in my phone - I have a running list called “song thots.” So then if I’m lacking direction when I do sit down to write, I’ll pull out that list and use it as inspiration.
4. What are your favorite venues to perform at? and if you had to choose, do you feel more comfortable in the studio or onstage, and why?
In the studio and performing on stage are two very different experiences for me. I love them both in different ways. The energy you feel when you perform for an audience is contagious. And I love the connection I feel with people who relate to the music that I write.
Recording in the studio is a different type of energy. It’s more about channelling the emotions and really exploring what I was experiencing when I wrote the song in order to get a genuine and emotive performance for the record - to capture that raw emotion. It’s definitely challenging for me. I’m kind of a perfectionist and I can be really hard on myself in the studio, but I love the challenge.
5. How do you create your songs? What is the process like? Does it take you days, weeks, even longer? How does the perfect Alyssa Joseph piece come together?
I normally just sit down and start messing around on the guitar. When I find some chords that I like I just start singing and come up with the melody and words at the same time. It’s very intuitive for me. I try not to think a lot when I write - I just let it come out. Then, I can go back later and change words or edit melodies.
I can sit down and be done a song in 40 minutes. Or other times I’ll come up with the first verse and chorus and won’t pick it back up for 6 months. Sometimes you need the space to get perspective and gain clarity on a situation. Other times you just need to rush and get it out on paper and let yourself think and feel irrationally.
6. How did you create a sound throughout time that is so uniquely your own? What defines your sound to you?
My sound is raw and real. It’s sad girl songs with a grunge-twinge. It’s about filling your emotional void. It’s vulnerable and angsty and true to who I am. I just lay out my thoughts and feelings and put them on the table. If you want to pick them up, you can, but if they’re not for you, that’s okay too. I’m not worried about how it’s perceived by others because my songs are pieces in time of how I felt in a situation, whether that was good or bad. Like a picture.
7. This new year is already shaping up to be a huge year for you. What do you hope to accomplish in 2018?
I’m stoked to finally release [ir]rational into the world. We’ve been sitting on it for a bit. It’s so exciting to finally get it out. We’re in the process of putting a band together right now, so we’ll be playing more shows around the tri-state area! And I’ve got new music already in the works ;)
