Interview: Indie Artist Alyssa Joseph Releases Album “Guts”

The indie-rock goddess Alyssa Joseph releases a collection of vulnerable songs with her new album “guts,” which is out now.

Accompanying the release, Alyssa released the official music video for “What to Do” which has gained over 10,000 views since release.

You can read our exclusive Q&A below with the Nashville-based artist.

What’s the inspiration behind your upcoming release? I wrote “what to do” when I graduated college and had not a clue what to do with my life. Up until that point, there was a path. And I graduated wanting to be a musician, for which there is no path — not like grad school or med school or going straight into the workforce. I had a bit of an existential crisis at that point. I was at a crossroads. What was the point of my life? Why are we here? What’s my purpose? And this song came out of that!

What’s your production process like? What’s it like making the song? It’s cool how this song in particular came to be. I wrote it alone, sitting on the floor, in a pitch black studio on acoustic guitar. I brought it to my producer, Perry Longo, and he loved it.

But, just as I was at a crossroads in my life, I was at this point of change in my sound. I went electric a few months after I wrote this song, and translated it to the electric guitar, coming up with the guitar solo for it. I ended up releasing this song on an EP in 2018 with just vocals and electric guitars.

Then a year later, I started playing with a band. And the bassist brought this awesome, funky bassline to the song, which then sparked the disco beat on the drums, giving this song an entire new spin. That’s what you hear today!

Who are your biggest influences? Oh gosh! I have so many! I grew up on The Chicks and Fleetwood Mac. I love Angel Olsen, Lucy Dacus, Camp Cope, Big Thief, Sharon Van Etten, Conor Oberst, and more!

In 5 years, where do you see your music career? Great question — one that a life coach would probably ask! I hope I’m making records and playing shows and am sustained (financially, emotionally, spiritually) by my music. I’ll let you know where I’m at then!