MCB: What’s the first album you bought with your own money?
AS: Ace of Base "I Saw The Sign" .... I think I was 8 & bought it with my piggy bank money.
MCB: When did you start singing?
AS: I've sang my whole life, but started taking voice lessons at 9 years old. I was lucky to have a supportive family who traveled constantly for auditions, competitions & showcases when I was young. An early story would be when I got to perform at the Apollo Theatre in NYC as 'Showtime Kid' at 12 years old.
MCB: Who do people tell you that you like?
AS: Pee Wee Herman, I get a lot. ;) ...... No but really I usually hear from people that my voice is soulful w/ a rock edge. I've heard Joss Stone, Grace Potter & more. Ironically my songwriting has been compared to P!NK, which is a huge compliment to me because she's one of my favorite artists.
MCB: What can people expect from your new release "Now Or Never"?
AS: A musical monster, lots of guitar driven songs w/ poppy melodies & years worth of stories.
MCB: What is your favorite song from it and why that one?
AS: Each one is special to me, but 'This Is War' stands out above the rest. It's dark, bold & incredibly uplifting. At times we all can be our own worst enemies, belittling who we are & what we can do. I wrote this song for myself which started w/ the chorus line "This Is War & I'm Boxing my Shadow" from there the story escalated to a new place & exploded on paper. It's about picking yourself up no matter how down & out you are, realizing that you're not alone & pushing forward. It's a song I'm proud to have written.
MCB: Favorite local venue and why?
AS: Love St. Andrews & Fillmore. Always have seen great shows there.
MCB: What’s one another local band you think people should see?
AS: There are so many great artists in this city. So much underground talent everywhere you go. I couldn't possibly list just one & leave out the rest.
MCB: What do you like most and least about Detroit?
AS: I love that it is network of creative people, it's a close knit scene here.
MCB: What makes singing worth it for you?
AS: How it makes you feel inside, it lifts your soul. Singing is everything to me, it always has been & I have a feeling it always will be.
MCB: Most embarrassing moment so far….
AS: I have many, but I'll stick with this one where I was singing on stage & a person in the audience held up a hand written sign that told me my fly was down. Pretty embarrassing way to find out, super self- conscious now. Haha!
MCB: You will know the band is successful when…..
AS: Used to say TRL or MTV, sadly those shows are long gone. A girl can dream! But I'd really just say when an audience starts singing my songs, the lyrics I wrote... that in itself is high point for me.
MCB: Where’s the best place for people to go hear more from you?
AS: www.facebook.com/alyssasimmons.music and coming soon www.alyssasimmons.com
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| Alyssa Simmons photo by Mikel OD/MPAD Media |