Collecting and Reflecting: The Alyssa Malvoisin Interview
Storytelling often exists in hyperbole. The heightened emotions of life can be difficult to convey. This is done not to obfuscate or obscure, but to paint a vivid picture. Alyssa Malvoisin crafts a realistic yet emotionally impactful scenario in her song, “Sober.” The 21-year-old Tyrone, PA native is already moving audiences with her soulful vocal tone and honest stage presence. In this episode of Eighty Unplugged, Alyssa breaks down the song lyrics and describes her songwriting process in an exclusive interview.
The Introduction
Alyssa Malvoisin has always been creative. Her father worked in musical theater, so she always heard the showtunes from whatever play he was working on. She started writing stories in middle school, developing characters and making up songs for them in the process. As she got older, she’d begin to get into theater and acting herself. It’s no surprise that she got a guitar, she’d be drawn to the vibrant community of singer-songwriters in Central PAs live music scene. This emerging artist may be young, but she’s already a staple of local spots like Levity Brewing Co. and the Dead Canary. Alyssa values the support from her parents and peers, and feels they provide good feedback in her growth as a writer and artist.
The Creative Community
Almost as impressive as her vocal range is the range of genres and artists who influence her. She can be found online and at venues covering artists from Bruno Mars to The Eagles. Alyssa thinks playing other people’s songs helps her learn why they work and how to use the same strategies in her original tracks. However, her biggest influences are the musicians she meets at the live venues she plays. Their varied and dynamic approaches to music inspire her to develop her craft consistently.
The Narrative Voice
Alyssa’s style is powerful in its realism and musical in its depth. She makes note of significant moments while living her life, collecting imagery and insight that makes for authentic songwriting. The emotional impact of lyrics are delivered in strong, well-controlled vocal ability. The highs and lows parallel the narrative arcs in the songs she performs. Her ability to showcase the story of a song, perhaps informed by her affinity for acting, even displays itself when playing covers. She is an artist who encourages her listeners to hear familiar favorites in new ways and dig deeper into her original works.
“Sober”
The many talents of Alyssa Malvoisin come together beautifully in her performance and lyric breakdown of her song, “Sober.” It recounts the end of a relationship, comparing it to the tumult of addiction. She doesn’t believe in using songwriting as a weapon.This is evident in the empathy expressed in the song’s lyrical content and vocal phrasing. In her honest depiction, she captures her and her lover’s humanity. It’s a testament to the ability of a songwriter to thoughtfully and meaningfully create structure. Folksy, soulful, and raw, “Sober” is a bittersweet ballad for the modern listener.
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Written by Alyssa Malvoisin
Never been a drinker, never had a smoke
Still I had a feeling long before we spoke
Before I knew
I’ve got vices too
First it was a slow burn when you put your lips on mine
Like the Crowns kept in your pocket, though at first you tried to hide
Still I knew
I liked the way they tasted on you
We both had our reasons to fight this feeling
Yours were very many, mine were few
But you were too drunk to remember, and I was too high on you
Tell me now that we’re both sober, what are we gonna do?
Now you’d think such an addiction would come as a surprise
But I knew all that I was in for, and by the look in your eyes
You knew all too well
You were careful for me as I fell
You gave me all that I could handle, all that you could spare
But the time you said you needed was far too long to bear
Because alone The feeling of withdrawal is much too strong
So I put off a fix for us to get a fix for me
You blame yourself but if you were thinking clearly, you’d see
But you were too drunk to remember, and I was too high on you
Tell me now that we’re both sober, what are we gonna do?
When it gets close to the end, before someone gets burned
You’ve got to toss the stub away and crush it with your heel
But you’re not like other men, you’ve had a lot of time to learn
You take me by the hand and ask me how I feel
I’m never getting you to quit, even so
Those things’ll kill you, you know
It was like you knew what was coming, and it broke me when you smiled
You said don’t get so broken up over the likes of me
‘Cause you still think you’re the man you were a couple years ago but you never introduced him to me
I would’ve asked you for a kiss goodbye
But the chance of relapse is much too high
You asked me not to use your name, but I guess you know who you are
And if it makes any difference, I hope I didn’t leave a scar,
And don’t read too deep I only write these things when I can’t sleep
Though I always had a feeling, honey now I finally see
I was always gonna need you far more than you wanted me
The fault is mine
You see its never felt so good being blind
Still I remember when we slow danced barefoot on the porch
To some slow soft 70’s song you said you knew
But you were too drunk to remember, and I was too high on you
Tell me now that we’re both sober Are you detoxing too?
Tell me, now that we’re both sober
Now that it's all over
Honey, now that we’re both sober
What am I supposed to do?
More content from Alyssa’s time at the Eighty Unplugged studio!
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