Meet Allison Leah | Folk-pop Singer-songwriter

We had the good fortune of connecting with Allison Leah and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Allison, is there a quote or affirmation that’s meaningful to you?
My favorite affirmation is actually something that my dad has told me time and time again throughout my life, which is “Be here now”. He says it all the time – when I hit milestones, but also to celebrate the little things. I even remember him saying this when we were on a rollercoaster when I was a kid.

I am a planner by nature and I tend to live in the future. I even released a song called “what i’m missing” about how I’m always rushing past each day and searching for something more. It can be hard to live in the moment when I’m always planning for what’s ahead, so this mantra reminds me to celebrate the little things and enjoy each day.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Please tell us more about your art. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others. I’m a folk-pop singer-songwriter and I love writing about coming-of-age, relationships, and the world around me. I’ve been told that my voice and the way that I’m able to pen ‘exactly what’s on someone’s mind’ is what sets me apart. I recently released a song called “24 years down” about figuring out where you belong in your 20s, and people have told me that this song “put what I’ve been feeling into words” and “gets me”.

During the beginning of the pandemic, I was feeling dejected and isolated as so many were, and I wrote a song as a letter to myself to stay positive called, “We Can Still Sing”. This was arguably one of the most most well-received songs I’ve ever released. And it shared that common thread of being “the reminder that people needed” to stay hopeful during a hard time.

When I was a young teenager, I turned to music when I needed someone to talk to, when I needed to feel understood. Now, I create music for that same reason. It’s a way for me to make sense of my own life, and I release it in hopes that someone who needs to hear it will find it and it will become theirs.

What you are most proud of or excited about?
I am most excited for my upcoming EP, to be released this summer (2022).

This project was written from 2020 through 2021, a time of major personal growth and reflection as most of it was spent in isolation. It’s my first commercially pop record and the songs feel like an extension of myself.

There are moments of folk, moments of pop, and they are true and autobiographical. Each song has it’s own musical personality and I think that’s what I’m most excited for. Since the album was created in isolation, no risk was too big and the sonic possibilities seemed endless.

I am most proud of the lyrics on this record, there are tons of hidden lyrical parallels that hint at each other and even answer questions posed in other songs. Writing this EP allowed me to get to know myself better, and in the best case, I hope it helps you get to know yourself better too.

How did you get to where you are today professionally?

I take a very grassroots and personable approach to my music career. I genuinely want to know the people that are listening to my music on a personal level. I want to know their stories and what their life is like. So much so, when the pandemic started and I could no longer play live shows, I started a Patreon community to get to know my fans better and to foster an environment to get to know each other.

Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges?

There is a lot of rejection in the music industry and a million other people that want to do exactly what you do. I’ve learned that life is a marathon and I’ve often said, “you cannot control how many no’s you get, but you can control how many people you reach out to.”

The positive messages that I’ve received about my music is what keeps me going. They remind me that I’m doing something different from everyone else, and that I need to stay true to it.

What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
I want people to continue to identify with the message in my songs. My favorite thing in the world is when someone writes me about how my music has brought a smile to their face or impacted them in a positive way.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I think it depends on the city! In LA, I would recommend heading to Hotel Cafe for music, it’s a favorite of mine because they support and promote independent artists and songwriters 🙂 As well as the Santa Monica Pier for some of the best views of the ocean in the city.

In Nashville, I would recommend The Listening Room for the same reason. Any venue that creates a warm, welcoming environment for artists to share their music is the best! I also love venues like Cabana Taps and Hopsmith Tavern for the same reasons. And for food, I think the hot chicken is a must 🙂

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I can’t thank my parents enough for their support and guidance throughout my music career. I don’t take for granted that I have people that truly believe in me and the music that I’m creating. And my dad plays both a role model and mentor figure throughout my life as he is a recording engineer. He is phenomenal at what he does and he pushes me to be a better artist, and I am so thankful for that. But more than anything, he’s shown me firsthand that with the right amount of hard work, talent, and dedication, there is no dream too big – and that is invaluable to me.

Website: allisonleahmusic.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/allisonleahmusic

Twitter: twitter.com/allisonleah_

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/allisonleahmusic

Youtube: https://youtu.be/TBrGP0lm8pE

Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4Z7W615KWC9UpT72lN8RPs?si=UdZMjJlPRBunhWjQcGh0bA