Artist Glimpse - Alyssa Messina
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In conversation with Toronto-based singer-songwriter Alyssa Messina. She has carved out a space where vulnerability meets soulful storytelling. Her latest album, When the War is Over showcases a captivating blend of raw emotion and polished artistry, offering listeners a glimpse into her personal evolution as both an artist and a human being. I’m honoured to explore the heart behind her new work, her creative process, and the lessons learned along the way.
Rob Aguiar - Your new album feels deeply personal and layered with emotion. Can you walk us through a moment in the songwriting process where you felt especially connected to the story you were telling?
Alyssa Messina - Absolutely! The process of the album actually came together in the most natural of ways. I felt that with a lot of the songs, I wanted to tell the story of a person that is on a journey to finding themselves and within that they discover the ugly truth that lies beneath them. This is especially true for the song called “When the War is Over” on the new album. This song resonates deeply with me. I remember playing the same chord progression on the piano over and over again and while doing so my guitarist started to improvise. It was in that moment when I felt a true connection with the music that I was able to convey a message and emotion within the lyrics. The “When the War is Over” melody came to me and that was when I quickly turned on the voice recording button on my phone and just recorded a solid 30 minutes of improvised lyrics. It was amazing. I had never felt so lost and connected at the same time and I think that is what helped me to create such a story with a deep metaphorical meaning.
RA - Vulnerability seems to be at the core of your lyrics. Has there ever been a moment when sharing that honesty felt daunting, and if so, how did you push through it.
AM - Yes! When I was writing “WTF” I remember the lyrics and melody of that song came very quickly to me for a reason. For me, this song served as a transitional piece or a stepping stone before the album was written that symbolically represented moving on from the individual (myself as a solo artist) to the collective (where I am with my band now). Even though the lyrics are deeply personal, in a way I saw this as my opportunity to grow through what was most difficult for me to accept.
“ I want to continue challenging myself to write lyrics with deep meaning and music that captures the attention of many.”
RA - Great songs often reveal different emotions or meanings depending on where the listener is in their own life. When crafting your lyrics, do you consciously leave space for listeners to interpret and discover their own stories within your songs?
AM - When writing my lyrics, I definitely try to leave space for my audience to be able to interpret their own stories through the songs I write, as I feel that is important to be able to make genuine connections. To me this also makes the lyrics most interesting as it allows for a more independent discovery for the listener.
RA - Many artists describe their albums as reflections of different chapters in their lives. How does this new project represent where you are today—both creatively and personally?
AM - I believe that the album “When the War is Over” helps to first and foremost showcase a new genre I undertook as an artist. Prior to this album, the songs that I was releasing were more tailored toward the pop realm of music. So on a deeper standpoint, not only does this album help to represent a new genre for me as an artist, I do truly believe that it helped me to break free from what I was most used to, into a place of self discovery. I feel that creatively I’ve grown as an artist and I can happily say that I’ve found where my voice wants to be.
“I feel that creatively I’ve grown as an artist and I can happily say that I’ve found where my voice wants to be.”
RA - Looking ahead, where do you see your musical journey taking you? Are there any new directions or collaborations that you’re eager to explore?
AM - I am looking forward to this new chapter of music! I can’t wait to continue writing and releasing new music in hope of inspiring and connecting with others. I think for this next chapter, I want to continue challenging myself to write lyrics with deep meaning and music that captures the attention of many!
RA - Alyssa, thank you so much for sharing your journey and giving us a glimpse into your heart as a singer songwriter. Your willingness to be vulnerable through your lyrics and invite listeners into those intimate spaces is truly special. I look forward to following your journey. Wishing you all the best as this new chapter continues to unfold.
AM - Thank you so much! It was a pleasure to work with you and share this experience with you too!
Connect with Alyssa online here.
