We sat down with musician and Vancouver native turned Music City (Nashville, TN) resident Jerrica Alyssa. We talk about her musical journey, influences and inspiration and the release of her new EP and music video, “Feelin’ New.”
Tell us your story. How & When did you start singing/ song-writing?
In a Filipino household singing and dancing starts pretty dang young. My parents always had great music playing. My Lola was a piano teacher, so she encouraged me to play and have real chops. My extended family gatherings always involved a performance demand by my elders and I was very happy to get up and sing and play. Traveling with a Polynesian dance troupe as a kid also had a huge impact on my skill set.
When did you decide to pursue music professionally and how?
I had a small detour to get a B.S. in Genetics but that was about the only time I strayed off my path towards a career in music. My conservatory training in piano helped a bunch early on. Just like so many musicians I know, we all started in cover bands to build our chops.
What has been your most memorable experience in your career so far?
After I moved to Nashville and I started a whole new way of writing plus learning production, we released “Over It.” The song is very much a part of my Filipina love of ballads and it felt good, as a place to start, to introduce my songwriting/recording artist self. The reaction that came back was really sweet; so many people were happy to hear me express myself in such a personal way. At that moment the light came on for me “I can do this and be true to myself.”
As a musician, where do you get your inspiration from and how do you stay inspired?
The inspiration is right in front of me every morning I wake up. Great artists from the past inspire me constantly and releases that just dropped by my living idols get me going too. We can’t forget to mention brand new beginners who arrive with a hot new sound. The way I feel about inspiration is that we are all so very lucky to be living in a time with the media hitting us from all sides. It’s everywhere, not just on the radio, newspapers and magazines like old school.
What advice do you have for aspiring musicians.
Study and get your chops together. I’m thankful for mine everyday. The idea that you can enjoy singing and make it big on Tik Tok is a huge pipe dream except for a lucky few.. My hope is that aspiring musicians will remind themselves that the recording artists we love and listen to, work their butts off everyday, totally possessed!
What is your experience as a woman of colour in the entertainment industry?
This is such an involved, current topic. Yes we are getting much more recognition than ever before, but the doors are not wide open for us, as people proclaim. The areas of songwriting and music production are very shy of women, much less women of color. On the positive side I can say that the female music production community I’m a proud part of, is growing a bit now. Women of color included. In other areas like the consumer entertainment market, the acceptance of Asian male and female artists is still questionable.
Covid has affected us all in different ways. Can you share with us how this time has affected you and your work? And do you have a message to share with the community?
I was very surprised when people starting coming out of nowhere asking me to coach them on piano and voice. Then after about two months, the pandemic isolation kicked up the streaming game, followed by Zoomitis. Also, my technical productivity went way up on musical and visual production. That’s all of the upsides. The down side for me has been the collapse of my live performance life. It’s been such a terrible time for artists and crew who rely solely on live gigs, big and small.
What’s coming up for you?
My EP drops April 23rd. I’m thankful that I have lots of press happening now, in advance.
Jerrica Alyssa shares 5 Fun Facts:
- Hot chicken is still hot in Nashville.
- Anderson .Paak and Bruno are a duo and have an entire album they are going to release on by one….for now!
- I’m getting addicted to vintage synthesizers now, somebody please save me!
- My dancer alter ego is sometimes found teaching big Zumba classes in Nashville.
- Can’t say who, but I’m in talks with a fashion designer in Canada – more to come on this collab.
WBD’s Lightning Round!
1. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live and why?
This answer is about food. Shanghai for Noodles, Austin for Tex Mex and Tokyo for Sushi.
2. If I gave you $20 to spend on anything right now, what would it be?
Custom chocolates.
3. Tell us something about yourself that would surprise people.
I design and make very involved Halloween costumes.
4. What would you be doing if you weren’t a professional musician?
Probably a geneticist.
5. One guilty pleasure you aren’t willing to give up?
Chocolate.
For more info:
Website: https://www.jerricaalyssa.com/
Instagram: @jerricaalyssa
Twitter: @jerricaalyssa
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxXnTTW4RuVOLPERKPePq-Q