Alyssa Bonagura Is On It
Words by Glenn Sargeant
Photo Credit: Ash Newell Photography
Nashville singer-songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist Alyssa Bonagura has had an incredibly busy year with her ‘Fly With Me’ EP, opening for Billy Joel in London’s Hyde Park, performing the US National Anthem at Wembley Stadium as well as her own shows. She kindly chatted to us at JLTT all about it:
You have released your latest EP ‘Fly With Me’ which is out now on Extreme Music. How did you want to approach this record and what was the story/inspiration behind it?
This record is a sequence of songs that I wrote and produced by myself in my home studio in Franklin, Tn and to be honest, each song kinda wrote itself.
I had just recently fallen in love and the songs poured out of me in about a weeks time.
I approached each song with no creative constraints so I think there is quite a free sounding production to them and that mimics how I was truly feeling at the time.
Where is your hometown and could you please describe it in five words?
My hometown is Franklin, TN and it’s one of the most beautiful places on earth in my opinion! In 5 words?Stunning, Green, horses, history, musical!
How do you look after your voice?
I recently just started a new regiment that involves warming up by singing scales through a small coffee straw! It’s amazing and really helps! And lots of water!!
The track ‘One Kiss’ features this rich strings sound. Could you please tell us about the idea behind that and who worked on it with you?
I got to work with the incredible Laurentia Editha from Hans Zimmer’s group of composers at Bleeding Fingers (partners with Extreme).
I actually listen to a lot of classical music and have always been such a fan of string arrangements and how they can help evoke the emotion of a song. One Kiss came to
life when Lauentia added the strings. Very happy with the way it turned out.
Do you have any favoured stage instruments/effects/pedals?
I use a Strymon Blue Sky pedal when I play acoustic – I love the way it adds a little shimmer to the notes – and I love my Strymon timelive delay & my POG as well for electric.
In July 2023, you performed at BST Hyde Park in London supporting the legendary Billy Joel. How did that opportunity arise and was it difficult keeping it a secret?
When I got asked I was so excited! I feel very grateful I was on
such an amazing lineup opening for the legendary Billy Joel!
Another track of yours that I really love is ‘On It’ and I wondered if you are a fan of Bonnie Raitt at all?
Aw thanks! Yes!! I absolutely LOVE Bonnie Raitt. My mom played her music in the house when I was growing up and she really inspired me to play more electric guitar and write songs that have a little bit of a blues influence.
Earlier in the year, you toured the UK with the band Morganway. What was that experience like and do you have any funny/interesting/memorable stories from the tour?
I absolutely love the Morganway band!! They are such incredible humans and so talented and we had a wonderful time together in the van on the road. I loved getting to sing riffs with SJ every night at the end of their set – we created a little “bit” at the end of their show where she would sing a riff and then I would answer her with one and then we would sing in harmony together – pretty special to be able to do that! It doesn’t happen very often that you creatively gel with another artist – we are definitely kindred spirits and cut from the same cloth. Love them very much!
Do you have any plans to release another EP or an album in the future?
Why yes I do! And a full length album as well! 🙂
In October, you sang the US National Anthem ahead of the Jacksonville Jaguars vs Atlanta Falcons Football game at Wembley Stadium in London. What was that experience like?
I love American football and always dreamt of singing the national anthem at an NFL game, but I never imagined I would be asked by the Jags to sing it in London at Wembley stadium, standing in between the flags of the two countries I love so dearly.
Truly one of the most special days of my life and such an honor.
What makes Alyssa Bonagura happy and what makes you unhappy?
Waking up every morning getting to do what I love for a living and being surrounded by the people I love dearly iswhat makes me happy.
What makes me unhappy?
If I don’t have time to make music or create regularly I get pretty unhappy!!
Photo Credit: Ash Newell Photography
Alyssa Bonagura’s latest ‘Fly With Me’ is out now on Extreme Music. Her latest single ‘On It’ is also out now. For more information visit her official website: https://www.alyssabonagura.com/
