Courtesy of Paige Alyssa
A senior music major at Webster University’s main campus, vocalist and songwriter Paige Alyssa is prepping for a release of her debut EP. The four-song album, titled “The Wait is Over,” is being released via iTunes, Spotify, YouTube, and Bandcamp. Following the release, Alyssa will have a listening party, showcasing the first single off the record. The listening party will take place December 13 at Webster University's Sunnen Lounge; doors will open at 6:45 p.m., and the show commences at 7 p.m., with no admission.
As part of our every-other-week conversation with local musicians, we’ve asked Alyssa the same seven questions. Here are her responses.
Music school? Self-taught? Some variety of both? Or none of the above?
I attend Webster University, where I am going to receive a BA in music this coming May. However, a lot of things that attribute to my style were self-taught. I can thank being in church and around gospel music, all my life, for that. Coming to school taught me a ton about the technique aspects of singing, as well as putting names to some things I was doing prior coming to college.
Regarding your creative habits, are you a night owl or an early bird?
Definitely a night owl. A lot of the sessions with my producers and engineer have been done after 8 p.m. I don’t if it has anything to do with the nighttime, but that’s when I think I function the best.
What are the elements that make for an ideal studio/recording experience?
A supportive production team that is not afraid to tell me when something does not sound good. I don’t need a group of “yes men” in the studio with me, or I won’t grow. Also the whole element of having fun has to be there, as well. It’s okay to laugh and have a good time while getting work done.
Is it more rewarding to play a technically solid gig to a moderately engaged audience, or to play a loosey-goosey set to a crowd that's clearly "there" with you?
If by loosey-goosey you mean laid-back, while still prepared, then I would choose that one. I love connecting with my audience, because I get to bring them on a ride with me through my music. When the audience is rocking with me it makes my job a lot more enjoyable.
You’re able to wake up tomorrow, magically gifted with proficiency in the instrument of your choice, one that you currently don't play. What instrument would that be?
Piano, hands down. I can “play” to a certain existent but I can’t REALLY “play,” you know? All of my life I have been surrounded by gifted piano players: my mother, other musicians in the Baptist church community, and my teachers at Webster like Ron Bryant and Carolbeth True. I have always wanted to be a master of that instrument, but it has not clicked, as of yet. So it would be lovely to have that gift bestowed upon me.
From childhood on, what's the very first song that you played to a point of real, true satisfaction?
From a singing standpoint, it would have to be “Love You Madly” by Duke Ellington. I sang that standard at my first Jazz Singer’s Concert when I was a sophomore in college. I chose this because it was the first song that proved I have what it takes to do this singing thing, and it’s also the first song that I felt confident in my vocal technique (since I had none prior to attending Webster) and confident in my ability to scat.
Do you believe there are musical "guilty pleasures," or is this an unfair and misused term?
I think so. There are some songs out there in popular music that are really catchy, and that you love to listen to but really don’t hold any substance at all. They’re kind of like snacks. You listen to them, but a little later on they leave you hungry for something else. There’s an overwhelming amount of that out there, unfortunately.
