CCM New Artist Spotlight — ALLISSA

Artist Name:
Allissa Logsdon (Stage name: ALLISSA)

Age:
21

Genres:
Pop, Rock, Contemporary Christian

Hometown:
Pittsburgh, PA

Label:
(Pioneer Records/Point Park University)

Hobbies/Interests apart from Music:
Cooking, graphic design, marketing, and social media management. I also love watching TV and movies, especially something with a little action.

Last Netflix Binge:
Marvel Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D—it’s SO good!

Musical Influences:
Lacey Sturm and Evanescence are my two biggest musical influences. Lacey Sturm’s music is the reason why I started writing music in the first place. I wanted to create faith-based music with an edge and a story just like her. I have always thought that Amy Lee from Evanescence was one of the best female vocalists around; she makes me want to become a better singer.

Very First Musical Purchase:
I bought a used Yamaha keyboard off Craigslist when I was about 13. It was a dream—88 keys, fully weighted, and so big it barely fit in my room. I wrote my first song on it. Since then, I upgraded to a Nord Piano 2 keyboard, but I still have my Yamaha.

CCM: Do you remember that moment when you realized you wanted to make an actual career out of music?
ALLISSA: In high school, I was discouraged by my peers and mentors, and because of it, I basically gave up music completely. When I enrolled at Point Park University, I found a supportive community, including my classmates and professors. I’ve never had more passion than I do now, and I’m dreaming like crazy. The doors that God has opened for me with my music have been unreal.

CCM: If you could potentially tour with any other artist or band (that you haven’t already), who would you choose and why?
ALLISSA: Going on tour with Lacey Sturm would literally be on the very tippy top of my bucket list. Her music is pretty much all I listened to for most of my life. Her style, message, and sound has inspired me in so many ways.

CCM: If you could tell the world about another artist/band to check out, who would it be?
ALLISSA: This is a tough one! I really love Vance Joy. Every single one of his songs is so good, so any song someone would pick to listen to for the first time would be a good choice.

CCM: Name a song that you wish you’d written (and why).
ALLISSA: If there is one song I wish I wrote, it would probably be the song “Saturn” by Sleeping at Last. It is one of the most beautiful songs I have ever heard, both lyrically, and melodically. It’s one of those songs that just hits you in the feels if you know what I mean! Achingly beautiful is the only way to describe it.

CCM: What can listeners expect in terms of the sound, style and lyrics?
ALLISSA: I use a lot of metaphors, similes, and imagery in my lyrics. I write most of my songs in minor keys because minor keys are so dramatic, and the more drama, the better! Although my music is a little bit dark, I always try to incorporate an element of hope. Overall, I would describe my music as edgy and hope-filled.

CCM:  How important is your faith or spirituality within your music?
ALLISSA: My faith is the most important component of my music. I truly believe that God writes through me. Whatever He wants me to say, I write. My music doesn’t always “scream Jesus”, but it opens the door for me to talk about my story, my struggles, and how God saved me from it all. God gave me a voice and put music in my soul. It’s because of Him that I do what I do.

CCM: What message do you hope listeners will take away from your music, regardless of what they believe?
ALLISSA: More than anything, I want people to feel a sense of hope after listening to my music. Sometimes people will check out the minute they hear a religious song, so I intentionally write in a way that people don’t really know what/who I am writing about. It could be about God, a relationship, or just my feelings. My goal is to keep them listening, and punch them in the face with hope! I want people to know they have a purpose, there is more to life, and there is ALWAYS hope on the other side of pain.

CCM: What was the last song you listened to on your playlist or stereo?
ALLISSA: “Hard Times” by Paramore will always be the answer to this question! Their After Laughter album is BOMB.

CCM: What was the songwriting process like on this record?
ALLISSA: When I wrote “Here” this past summer, I didn’t know I would win Point Park University’s Pioneer Records’ Star contest, but I figured I should write something a little more upbeat since it would be turned into a music video. Collaborating with rapper Victor Gariseb (Southwest DFRNT) was tons of fun and he added a cool, new element. The video was written, directed and produced by Point Park cinema studies students, so it was a really a supportive experience and I’ll always be thankful.

Watch the video for “Here”