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AlyssA

alyssafolksoul

About Me

New York native, AlyssA began writing songs at age 6 then began performing in off-Broadway plays and musicals. She was given a scholarship for her writing and music ability to attend College in North Carolina where she formed her first band and sang in the jazz and gospel choirs. AlyssA returned to New York City after college to pursue music full time. While producing specialty-catering events for major concert acts, she found herself surrounded by some of the top bands and musicians in the world. AlyssA handpicked her players from these amazing musicians to bring her unique and authentic sound to life.
In 2000 she received backing and went to California to record "AlyssA" a pop-crossover EP that blends R&B, and blues mixed with Middle Eastern and African instrumentation. This self released EP received rave reviews making it an underground sensation, generating anticipation for her next release. Her new album: "within", is more quiet contemplation, a heartfelt meditation in song. AlyssA said of her writing process, "Songs would come through me in everyday physical movement- while walking through the woods, being on the subway or driving my car. In this spirit, AlyssA recorded several versions of each song working to capture their true essence. "These songs are my offering of insight from a higher source, and I feel blessed for this gift of music within." AlyssA has a diverse scope of songwriting and musical styles. Her voice and poetic lyrics draws the listener in and soothes at the same time. Alyssas music has been described as hypnotic, meditative, soulful, earthy and ethereal.
AlyssAs song: "Feel The Softness" was nominated for Best Indie Pop Rock Song in 2008 at the Inland Empire Music Awards in Riverside CA. AlyssA is an accomplished actress, comedienne, a passionate activist for the environment, and alternative health movements.
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My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 1/25/2006
Band Website: alyssamusic.com
Band Members: AlyssA's new album "within" credits.....Deron Johnson - Producer, arrangements, Pianos, wurlitzer, B3 organ, synths, guitar on "Pure and Holy", programming -AlyssA Cooper - Songwriter, Producer, arrangements -All songs written by AlyssA Cooper except "Just To Be With You" written by AlyssA Cooper and Robby Baier-produced by Robby Baier -James Sklar executive producer, special arrangements on "Firefly" and "Earth Child" -Acoustic and electric Guitars, Bass Chris Bruce -Drums, percussion Jimmy Paxson -Electric Bass on "Pure and Holy" Bakithi Kumalo -Double Bass on "Feel The Softness" and "Warm Day" James Genus -Guitar on "It Gets Better When I Breathe" Dave Lavita -Backing vocals on "Subway Gospel" Monica Behan, Chris Pierce, Nailah Porter , AlyssA Cooper - Backing Vocals on "And I..." AlyssA Cooper, Monica Behan -All programming Deron Johnson, except "Pure and Holy" and "Subway Gospel", Deron Johnson and Seth Atkins Horan -Recorded at Phantom Vox Studios -Hollywood, CA and Chateau Du Shack -Los Feliz, CA and Maze Studios, NYC -Mixing/engineering-Seth Atkins Horan -Mastering - Lurssen Mastering
Influences: Donny Hathaway, Otis Redding, Cat Stevens, Sarah Vaughan, The Staple Singers, Mavis Staples, Van Morrison, Roxy Music, Bob Marley, Zap Mamma, Paul Simon, Simon and Garfunkle, Peter Gabriel, Aretha Franklin, PM Dawn, Diggable Planets, Run DMC, CSN&Y, Chaka Kahn, The English Beat, Jimmy Cliff, Sinead O'Connor, Eryka Badu's Baduism, Mahailiah Jackson, Lionel Ritchie, The Commodores, Fumbling Towards Ecstasy, Soul II Soul, Sade, Ismyel Lo, Lady Blacksmith Mambazzo, Teena Marie, Morcheeba, Stan Getz, Deron Johnson on piano, Upright Bass, Tabla, Percussion, Remy Shand, Lauryn Hill, Gospel Choirs, Richard Pryor, Mother Nature
Record Label: Self Release
Type of Label: None