Alyssa Joseph is making a bold, loud statement with her new release, “I Wanna Feel Good.” The Nashville-based singer-songwriter has New Jersey roots, but she’s firmly planted in the town where music legends are made–and she’s ready to make her own mark there. With a vibrant spirit and passion for her craft, Josephs spoke with us about her musical journey and more.
When did you first discover your passion and gift for music?
I dabbled in almost all of the performing arts as a kid, but it wasn’t until my later teen years that I realized that my true love was writing and performing my own songs. I started writing songs when I was 12 and played my first open mic night when I was probably 15 or 16. After that, I was hooked.
Do you write your own songs?
Yes! I love writing songs, it comes very naturally to me. A lot of times I’ll get a melody or lyric idea in the shower or while I’m driving. Writing is really cathartic for me.
How long have you lived in Nashville now? And how has Nashville shaped your trajectory as an artist?
I’ve been in Nashville for almost six years now, which is wild to say! Nashville is such a cool city. It really feels like when you get to college and meet people in your major who have the same interests, and you’re suddenly surrounded by people who “get” you. Everyone here is creative in some way, and there’s this openness to collaborate that I haven’t experienced in any other place. The industry being based here has also made a huge difference. There’s much opportunity, and incredible music is happening 24/7. It’s really shaped how I view community, and how I approach my craft, and pushed me to build community and something bigger than just myself.
The music industry isn’t for everyone. It requires real strength and grit. Where do you find your own inner strength and motivation to keep at it and not give up?
It is a really tough industry, and a lot of the time, it feels like it’s less about talent and more about who you know and just who can hang on the longest for a “break.” It’s something I’ve wrestled with a lot, and I’ve written a good amount of songs about it. As a woman in my early thirties, there’s definitely that fear that my window is closing. But I try to talk about it with friends, other artists and process it in my music. There’s also just so much rejection. My friend Ula always reminds me of a statistic that people who are successful in the entertainment industry go through 1,000 rejections before they have a break. And I’m just adding up to get to my 1,000!
What’s your one piece of advice to a young artist with dreams to pursue music as a career?
Don’t be who you think they want you to be. What are the few things that make you different and are authentic to you? Those are the parts of you that you should lean into.
Tell us about your new EP and the soon to be released single, “I Wanna Feel Good.” What’s the message you’re hoping to share with it?
“I wanna feel good” is the second song I recorded with my producer Jared Corder at Polychrome Ranch. I’ve been lucky enough to work on quite a few others with him since. Some have been in the vault and others are brand new. I brought this one in, and Jared really helped bring it to life. We added a bridge, changed the key in the second verse, and swapped some chords. We ended with something better than I ever could have dreamed up by myself.
I wrote it at a time when I very much did not feel good, haha. I had a yearning to feel good and feel like a badass, and then the choruses kind of peel back the curtain with the realization that I’m the reason I’m not feeling so good. There’s a lot of pressure, from society and from myself, and that can really steal my joy and confidence, especially as someone on a nontraditional path. The song brings a moment of awareness like “Okay, maybe sometimes I stand in the way of my own happiness.” and “Capitalism is a thief of joy and creativity.” But honestly, I want listeners to take what they need from it. It’s open to interpretation.
If you could envision yourself ten years from now, what do you hope to see in your future? What are some goals and accomplishments you’ve set for yourself?
Ten years from now, I’d love to be living on a little homestead–growing our own food, throwing shows, making music, and building community. I’d love to have a stable income from music. I’d love to be growing flowers. I’m an overly ambitious person, so one of my personal goals is actually learning how to slow down and let myself relax. Hopefully, in ten years I’ll be better at that practice.
Who are your musical inspirations?
I have a lot! I grew up on early 2000’s women like Avril Lavigne, Michelle Branch, and The Chicks – I loved the songwriting and harmonies. In my late teens, I discovered the more raw, emotional rock of Manchester Orchestra and Bright Eyes (Andy Hull and Conor Oberst are still two of my favorite songwriters). Today, I’m really inspired by artists like Indigo de Souza, Angie McMahon, Big Thief, and of course, Taylor Swift.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of this life as an artist?
Connecting deeply with people in three minutes or less. There’s nothing like it. I tend to write songs when I’m feeling most alone. And the reason I share the music is to be there for other people when they’re going through it, so they don’t feel so alone. The most rewarding part is when someone hears one of my songs and tells me that they feel seen or supported.
Alyssa will be performing in Nashville on June 6. You can purchase tickets here.
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