What is your name?
Hi! My name is Alyssa Thomas
What is your genre of music?
I don’t even know; I guess probably just lofi indie rock
Give us a little bio about you?
I’m just gonna do a tiny bio because I’m not that interesting: I live in Philadelphia, I’m a gemini, and I’m 21!
Are you signed?
Yeah, my EP was released on the wonderful Fox Food Records.
You have your brand new EP Attic Space , tell us more about it.
Attic Space was honestly just a collection of songs I had been sitting on for a while. They were taking up space and I needed to get them out there in order to be able to write more. There’s a lot of personal things on it that I was working out with myself. It feels like a ride for me to listen to just because I personally can tell how much I changed as a person while writing the album. There were songs that were written in Indiana while I was in college and then some that were written in Philly. It’s all over the place yet somehow works for me.
What was the writing process like?
My writing process is the exact same every single time. I just play a bunch of chords and then I turn on my voice memo recorder and I just ramble until I say something that’s not stupid and then I edit and add onto whatever it was. Then sometimes I bring it to John and he adds really amazing bass to it. As for the intro though that was my first ever like composition effort where the lyrics didn’t make the song.
What was the recording process like?
I recorded it in several rooms of my two apartments I have lived in. I just use garageband, a USB mic for vocals, and a DI Scarlett box. Nothing fancy.
Who did you work with on the Ep?
I had a little help from my roomies, John Heywood and Alex Giannascoli for bass and drums. James Smith of Fox Food did an amazing job mixing it because I can’t mix for shit and then Brian Russ mastered it. I’m very grateful for all of them.
Describe each track in two words.
1. noisy head
2. sneaky whatever
3. selfish whatever
4. misogynistic whatever
5. nostalgic whatever
6. i’m fine
What was the inspiration behind the Ep?
I just really wanted to get some things off of my chest I suppose.
What is the message you behind the Ep?
I don’t even know if I have one. Just take whatever you want from it and let it be what it is for you.
Do you have any more gigs coming up or a tour?
I actually have a really clear spring! I’m going to do some traveling on my own.
What made you go in to music?
I have always liked singing but never thought I had a great voice. I remember hearing Hole for the first time and I was like yes okay I need to pick up a guitar this is what I have to do.
Do you play any instruments?
I play guitar, bass, and very little piano
Who are your influences?
That’s such a tough one because I feel like everything influences everyone. I guess the ones that really shaped me the most are probably Courtney Love, Alex Giannascoli, and Lana Del Rey. So basic but they all influenced me in different ways.
How do you get inspiration to write songs?
I honestly just get it in waves. I have like a good day where I write a great song and then within the week I’ll write more great ones. But then I won’t write a good song for like a month or so. It comes and goes and I have no idea what triggers it!
Would you up for collaborating with new artist/bands? if so how could they contact you?
I’m such a bad collaborator! I usually only want to collaborate with people who can do something that I can’t. At the same time, I’m always up for hearing people out. ~contact via email~
Where do you see yourself now in 5 Years?
I actually think about this a lot and I can’t even guess. It’s not something I even really give a shit about though which is weird. I’d like to have done a European tour by then and I guess that’s my loftiest goal.
When you’re not doing music, what do you do?
I’m actually a full time nanny to two wonderful kids! That takes up most of my day. I also enjoy drinking beer and eating cheese fries. I also watch way too much of The Office.
Where would your dream venue to play in your hometown?
I’m going to call Philly my hometown because I feel like it & I would just love to even play Union Transfer.
If you could collaborate with one UK Artists or Band who would it be?
Hands off Gretel is sick
If you could collaborate with one US Artists or Band who would it be?
Stef Chura is amazing
What was the song you listened to most that influenced you to go more in to the music scene?
That’s a tough one. I guess like what pulled me into lofi, DIY, whatever was Mary by Alex G.
What’s the best advice you have ever been given?
Don’t be afraid to try new things (like move across the country heyo)
What advice would you give to aspiring musicians not about the industry and just as an artist?
Don’t try to hide your insecurities. Like if you hate your voice, don’t bury your vocals just because of that. Own whatever it is you have.
What quote or saying do you always stick by?
If it ain’t broke don’t fix it.
Do you have social media accounts so your fans can follow you?
Instagram
Twitter
