Interview with Jessica Allyn

Jessica Allyn, an up-and-coming bisexual singer/songwriter from New York City, speaks to FYLL about her new album, Delusions of Grandeur.

FYLL: When did you start playing music?

Jessica Allyn: I’ve been singing for as long as I can remember. I started vocal training at age 17, and did that for about 7 years.

I briefly played violin at age 8, but that didn’t stick. And, I didn’t really pick up an instrument again until about two years ago.

I started with guitar, and moved to ukulele.

When did you first realize that you liked girls?

I was about 16, and working at a camp.

We had these “staff parties” and one night I got liquid courage, and kissed this girl.

I pretty much knew after that - I was definitely not straight. And, I that’s when I started living my life as a bisexual.

How would you describe your sound?

Oh god! I have such a hard time putting my sound into it’s place.

I don’t believe in sticking to one genre, I love music and I take influence from every type of sound.

I try to fuse the sound of the 1930’s with the early 90’s.

Your songs are very catchy, tell us about your writing process.  Are your songs written from experience?

All of my songs are written from experience, all true. It’s been my form of catharsis for many years.

Who are you speaking to in the song Folie de Grandeur (off the new album Delusions of Grandeur)?

I’m going to pull a Carly Simon, and say “I’ll never tell…”

What musicians would you say most influence your music?

Edith Piaf, Judy Garland, PJ Harvey, Cat Power, David Bowie, and every musical ever written. 

You studied both classical music and musical theater, how do you think this has benefitted you in your musical career?

Vocally it’s kept me in shape, breathing, control, and so on. But, once I moved from doing musical theater into rock shows I threw most of it out the window.

It was the beginning of a whole new type of training, I called it “Rock ‘n Roll Bootcamp”. It kicked my ass, but I loved every moment of it.

Where can our followers find your music online?

It’s available on iTunes, Amazon.com, and JessicaAllyn.Bandcamp.com

They can also follow me on Twitter @JessicaAllyn for updates.

Are you planning a tour in the near future?

My band and I did a brief tour in December, and really enjoyed ourselves. Right now I’m taking some time off for personal reasons, but have already begun the writing of the next album.

I think sometime in the Fall I will try and get out on the road.

Interview by Trajenny