“You Talkin’ to Me?” – Alyssa Allet (Women of Soul)

Currently in Australia, only 20% of APRA AMCOS songwriter members are women or female-identifying, with only 15% of annual royalties going to female writers. Worldwide, less than 2% of recording producers are women. The Women of Soul record is significant and is one of the very few albums in Australia to be produced, composed, recorded and performed by an all-female team. The album recording and songwriting provided employment throughout the pandemic lockdowns and offered a meaningful opportunity for female artists to collaborate in a safe environment. For many of the artists, it also provided a professional development opportunity; for some it was the first time they had appeared on a commercial release, for others it was their first time arranging for an album or assisting with engineering. And for almost all, it was their first creative project post-lockdowns, so being able to write and work together proved to be a cathartic, healing and emotional experience.

Alyssa Allet is a singer/songwriter and part of The Women of Soul project contributing songwriting and backing vocals on the album.

Name: Alyssa Allet

Alias: ALZZY
In less than 50 words describe your music and yourself. Currently my sound is a blend of indie-pop and neo-soul, with stylistic elements of RnB, jazz and folk – quite the fruit salad of genres. I’m quite the deep thinker, but also have a bit of a goofy side as well, which I think is quite often reflected in my lyrics.

What was the first rock/pop concert you attended?
I went to see Beyonce on The Mrs Carter tour when I was 12.

Punk or Goth Music:
Punk

Who are you excited about, music wise, at the moment?
Women of Soul obviously, but also Melbourne-based artists like Ashwarya, KYE and Holly Hebe – all such incredible, female artists!

The Best live artist/band you’ve seen:
Probably Coldplay or Jacob Collier – I also saw Matt Corby recently and his show was incredible.

Your “In the mood for love” song:
At the moment, something like Satellite by Harry Styles maybe – love that song.

What are you currently reading?
I’m reading two books at the moment – Writing Better Lyrics by Pat Paterson (a book all about songwriting and lyrics), and I’ll Have What She’s Having by Bobbie Housten (a book about knowing your worth and owning ‘your story’).

Your favourite Sunday morning chill out record?
Probably very unexpected for someone my age, but probably the album ‘If That’s What It Takes’ by Michael McDonald.

Which song do you wish you had written?
There are so many, but to name one – probably After the Love Has Gone by Earth, Wind & Fire.

Author Manuel Puig said “I’m not terribly happy about rock and roll. Rock music is uninspiring, numbing; it makes you feel like an idiot.” Discuss.
I kind of understand a bit where Puig might be coming from – some rock and pop music can feel really ‘the same’. But I definitely think that is not the case when you did a little deeper, under the surface of what is sometimes ‘popular’ or ‘mainstream’. I think there’s a lot of quality, innovative rock music out there, you just unfortunately have to really search for it sometimes, in my opinion.

Vinyl, Cassette, CD, mp3 or Streaming?
Vinyl! I grew up with CDs (and still love collecting them), and streaming is obviously super convenient – but there is something so special about vinyl. Maybe it’s because they were from before my time, I don’t know what, but there’s nothing like going into a record shop or playing a vinyl at home – it’s a whole experience (to me at least)

If you could hang out with any music artist, in a bar one afternoon, who would it be?
Probably Prince or Joni Mitchell, at the moment.

What is your worst habit?
Probably saying yes to too many things in life, and then ending up stressed with a ‘full plate’ ha-ha

How often do you look at your mobile phone?
I don’t think as much as others in their early 20s – I’m not super tech-savvy, but I’m working on it.

Any good backstage stories?
There’s nothing major that really comes to mind.

An alien lands on Earth and wants to know what Rock and roll sounds like. What song do you play them? Oh, probably something by Queen – maybe Hammer to Fall or Don’t Stop Me Now.

Favourite all time TV show:
A tough question, but I think I’d have to say Stranger Things.

What is your specialty in the kitchen?
Probably a garden salad – I’m kind of joking but also not, I can make other, more complex and ‘hardy’ things, but I have been told I make a great salad dressing ha-ha.

With whom would you like to record a song with?
At the moment, either Jacob Collier or there’s a producer if recently heard of from America named, Alissia – she seems so cool and I love her work!

You have tickets to see The Killers and Bruce Springsteen but they are on the same night. Which one do you attend?
Oh, that’s tough – but maybe The Killers, as I remember listening to more of their music in my teens and have some fond memories.

Where do hope to be in 12 months?
I hope to still be songwriting with other artists/for different projects, as well as working on and releasing my own music. I also hope to be getting ready to travel a bit around the world (either for music or for leisure, or maybe both) – I’d love to go to the UK, to France, to Japan, the list goes on.

Australia’s premier collective of female-identifying artists Women of Soul, is proud to announce the release of the full-length LP Feel Good, on June 2 on House of Valerie Joan. Featuring more than 25 creatives, the album contains contributions from artists such as Kylie Auldist, Stella Angelico, Thndo, Maria Moles, Monique diMattina, Vanessa Perica, Kathleen Halloran, Tamara Murphy and many more. With Chelsea Wilson as executive producer and Anna Laverty as producer and engineer, the album was entirely composed, recorded, performed and produced by an all-female team, a rare feat in the Australian music industry.

Interview By Geoff Jenke

Connect with the Women Of Soul Collective
Website ~ Facebook ~ Instagram ~ Spotify