Interview with Alyssa Hankey

 I recently had the pleasure of meeting Alyssa. Very nice and down to earth. I met her while she was recording her upcoming album. I was then inspired to listen to her music on Spotify. What a talent! 

Photo credit by:
Jon Blanchard/
Sparks Ignite Photography 

1) Where do you think your passion for the arts stems from?

I grew up in a rural area and I have always been a quiet, introverted person. For me, that arts have
always been a way for me to express myself and communicate in away that I felt comfortable. It gives me a voice and a purpose. 

2) Can you tell us about Pittsburgh Plays?

It was an amazing experience. I attended Pittsburgh Plays Tom Petty back in 2018 and I was blown away. I have been a huge Fleetwood Mac fan since high school and Stevie Nicks has been my biggest influence as far as vocals go. So, when I saw they were doing Fleetwood Mac and that they were accepting applications I knew I needed to sign up. I got to work with so many talented Pittsburgh musicians and we all jived well together. It took me out of my comfort zone, which is something I always like to do.  I am so proud of what we accomplished and that we sold out two nights at the Thunderbird. I have to pinch myself sometimes. It was the biggest crowd I had ever played for and I so fortunate to have been a part of it. 

3) Do you have any new music coming out?

Yes! I will be dropping a new 8 song LP in late March called Northerner. I am so excited for people to hear it. I have a great band backing me up and I feel like I have matured a lot as a songwriter on this record. I don’t want to give much away, but it’s authentic and the most meaningful record that I made so far. It is a record that will feature a full band and stay true to me as a singer-songwriter. 

4) If you could pick one artist (alive or dead) who would it be? Why?

I would have to say Bruce Springsteen. His lyrics are what drew me in first. I feel like he sings about people that don’t have a voice and places that people kind of write off.  I heard ‘The River’ for the first time in college and never heard an artist of that caliber sing about a town like Johnstown. It made me rethink how I wrote songs. I saw him with the E Street Band live a couple times and was blown away. I feel like his live shows are unmatched and I love the relationship of the whole band. 

5) Tell us about your live setup for solo shows?

My set up is simple. I usually plug my guitar into my PA system and sing through a mic. I also feature harmonica on a lot of my songs. I also have an old suitcase that serves as a tip jar and where I leave merch that people can buy. It’s a portable set up that has served me well over the past few years.

6) Where can our readers find your music?

You can find all my music on iTunes, Spotify, YouTube, Google Play, etc. Folks can also follow me on Instagram at @alyssahankey and on Facebook at Alyssa Hankey Music. You can check out my website alyssahankey.com. 

7) What is it like to travel the open road for shows?

It is very freeing and rewarding. I am able to share my music with so many different people and see new places. I got a van now, which makes things a lot easier than I had it before. Over the years, I have learned what venues are better for me than others and areas that are geared more to my sound. At times it is exhausting, but I always feel like I put in a good day’s work doing what I love. I always encourage people to take that trip they always dream of taking.  

Natalie Belin is the author of The Many Colors of Natalie, a book of poetry.  She holds an associates degree in Specialized Technology Le Cordon Bleu Pastry Arts and in her spare time is an artist and percussionist.