Getting familiar with local rising star, Alyssa Poppin

Local musical artist, Alyssa Poppin has more to deal with than many people her age. At age 17, Poppin has been spending her evenings filming a music video and she has been spending time in Hollywood working with a famous producer on her first release. Poppin will be debuting that release this Saturday evening at the Queen Bean in Modesto. I was lucky enough to get a few minutes of her time to answer some questions that I had prepared for her. It is amazing how much she has already accomplished at her age.

M: I know that you have been really busy planning your CD release show. I appreciate the time that you are taking to do this. Is it hectic making your schedule work as you gain more and more notoriety?

AP: Yes, it's crazy! The more I get into music, the more work that comes with it! I'm a full high school student, I lead the worship band at Big Valley Grace Church and I have music stuff to do. I most definitely won't be taking all the credit for the work that's been done. My parents deserve that! They do so much and are amazing! I think of my schedule as a "balance". I have to balance everything that's going on in my life but keep my priorities straight.

M: You are so young and I really admire your dedication to your art at your age. How old were you when you first picked up a guitar and decided that you wanted to be in the music business?

AP: Well, I had a guitar when I was like 3, but my mom told me I couldn't play that instrument until I learned to play the piano. I did so and received my first electric guitar at the age of 10. I was so excited! I started writing songs and teaching myself the basics. I always had that dream, that most every kid has, of becoming famous and having a career in the music business. I did not, however, become serious about pursuing it until I was 16. My parents felt I was ready at that age and also wanted me to have a childhood.

M: I watched you perform a couple of months ago at Borders in Modesto. I was really impressed with the way that you interacted with the crowd. So many young acts take to the stage and perform only what they have practiced and they are good, but you really made the show seem fun and lively. Does that come natural to you?

AP: Yes, it most DEFINITELY does, espresso helps though! haha. My little secret, guess everyone knows now, but it gives me a boost of energy that I need. I'm just as crazy and talkative without it, but my life is so busy, I need it by the weekends. I think a musician should strive to interact with the crowd and let their personality show. It's not just about the music, people like to get to know your real self as well. Lyrics of songs come from within me, but they're feelings, they don't show off my personality. So, I like to talk to everyone, background on me and such, and humor is always good!

M: Who do you count as your biggest inspirations? Maybe it is someone in your family. Maybe it is a particular artist.

AP: I think anyone can inspire me. Everyone has a different story. But, for example, Shania Twain. Her story is so inspiring. From what she came from, to what she is and has now, amazing! She was my artist I loved growing up.

M: It is amazing to me just how many acts are competing for attention in the music business right now. What gives you an edge and makes you different than the others?

AP: Well for one, I'm young. I just turned 17 but have been writing my own songs since I was 11. I'm not going for the "pop-princess" or "Britney Spears wanna be" look and sound. I'm a musician. I write my lyrics, compose my music, perform and sing my songs. I try to make every song sound different from one another. I don't want to have all my songs sound the same, each one needs to have it's own sound.

M: Have you ever gotten so discouraged that you just wanted to shelf the lyric notebooks and sell the guitars? What keeps you battling ahead? You must really believe in yourself and what you are doing. I really admire that.

AP: Oh my gosh, yes. Just because it's stressful with everything I do every week. What keeps me going is, I think about what I would do if I didn't have a music career. I can't think of anything else I'd be just as passionate about and want to do the rest of my life.

M: This Saturday evening at The Queen Bean in Modesto a great deal of your hard work will come together as you release your EP to the public. Are you nervous about the reaction that it may receive? Are you excited?

AP: No, I'm not nervous. haha. I'm totally stoked! All of my friends and fans on MySpace have been asking me when they'd be able to buy it. I love how it looks too! The colors, font, everything shows my personality!

M: In regard to your EP, where was it recorded? Did you work with anyone that is well known in the music business? How did you know who to turn to? That had to be a hard choice.

AP: It was recorded at Track Records in Hollywood, CA. Yes, I did. I had the honor of working with Andrew Lane who is an award winning multi-platinum producer. He was so cool! He totally understood what I wanted my sound to be for my songs. My mom helped me with our choice and we just had a really good feeling about him. After meeting with him, we knew he was perfect.

M: I am excited about seeing you on Saturday. I love the way that you are able to control a crowd and make them your own while you are on stage. No matter what, you have the total support of www.modestofamous.com. There is nothing more exciting to us than seeing a local star rise. Thank you again for the time!

AP: Well thank you so much for all your help and support! I love Modesto and consider it my hometown although I've only been here since I was 10. I'm also excited about seeing you at the show and I want to make sure we get a picture together for my MySpace. Peace!

To hear Alyssa's music and get to know a bit more about her, check out her MySpace page at www.myspace.com/alyssapoppin. Don't miss her EP release party this Saturday evening at 7:00 at the Queen Bean in Modesto. Get there early for a good seat! This is an all-ages event.