Arts work is real work, says Alyssa Dillard - INTERVIEW
ALYSSA DILLARD, our recent guest on Avoid Sessions, told us all about her next projects in music, founding a theatre company A-Tak-Dál as well as her tips for the single people out there. Read the full interview she gave to Marie De La Montagne right here:
Alyssa, you live in Prague, have you always lived here and why did you choose it as a home?
I’m originally from Texas but I decided to move to Prague to study my masters in theatre directing at DAMU. Which I finished in September. It's not the best time to finish a theatre degree but now I can put MgA. in front of my name which does feel nice. We don't do this as much in the US.
I enjoy the quality of cultural life in Prague, in this city I'm always able to have time to do my artistic work professionally and still have the space to try new things and have hobbies. In the US it isn't really possible to work this way. I would have to have two or more jobs to support myself on top of my work
I love the way spaces are viewed and used here. I also love the way Czech people love walking in nature and the culture of mushroom hunting. This year I'm practicing to be good at picking out the good houby in the autumn.
How do you find the music scene in Prague?
I studied music and theatre in Texas, and was missing playing live during my studies. So I was trying to find out how to play more.
And then randomly, I went with a friend who’s a composer to meet a very cute Spanish boy at a bar. He was hanging out with friends. They were in a band together, and just hanging out and playing music. I started singing with them. It was a perfect summer moment. I started singing in a band with three people who were there (Nikki Maddi and Marco Micelli, and Anna Kurková. They're great musicians)
I also started jamming at bars around the city. Now I’m working on a new band project and an EP.
What led you to commit to becoming a full-time artist? How do you divide your time between music and theatre?
I love theatre and music and it’s a world that makes sense for me. I process situations in my life through music, dance, and performance. It just comes out that way. I tried having a more traditional work schedule in the US but it was always taking me away from my artistic goals.
One thing I want to emphasize is that arts work is real work and very valid. Something that is not always understood in the US. For me to be in a position to direct performances and musically improve was a hard process. I had to learn to trust my passion and dedication.
All photos by Rony Thilakan
“One thing I want to emphasize is that arts work is real work and very valid. Something that is not always understood in the US. For me to be in a position to direct performances and musically improve was a hard process. I had to learn to trust my passion and dedication.”
How would you describe your music to someone who hasn’t heard you yet?
I would say: Jazzy and moody songs to listen to whenever that special someone has pissed you off. Songs for drinking red wine in your favorite all black outfit.
Jokes aside, it's a combination of soul and jazz that occasionally has slight electronic moments.
Who are some artists that influenced you?
La Luz, Kelela, Haley Heynderickx, Kamauu, Adeline ,Esperanza Spalding, and Noname, Smino, Mereba, Cleo Sol.
How would you identify your conscious and unconscious influences on your music?
I have music that I love listening to when I’m working through ideas for projects, things that help me process a feeling or mood. Currently those songs are Single AF by Foushee and What’s Your Pleasure by Jessie Ware.
My unconscious influences are the things that I listen to in my everyday life. Gospel music in church growing up, the cumbia, country, tejano, jazz and soul music I would hear in Texas. The Japanese city pop complications on YouTube, my favorite is anything from Coffee Break Sessions on YouTube. These things inform my larger world and help me find new inspirations and vibes. I also just enjoy vibing out to them when I clean..
What inspired the song Temptation you performed for us?
I was going through a breakup and was a bit naive about how being single works. I didn't realize that some people are not seeing you in a respectful way, I didn't know how to exit toxic dating situations.
I met people who I would start to like a lot. Only to find out they had a partner and wanted to use me to help them cheat emotionally. It made me feel like I wasn’t valuable. I was just a fascination, a temptation that they saw as sexy and mysterious. I saw that they wanted to use me to fill a void. It kept happening over and over, and pissed me off. It was really exhausting to experience so I wrote this song to say. “Look, what you’re doing is obvious and it’s annoying, and I’m worth more. Now fuck off and leave me be.”
Tips for single people out there : Anyone who treats you like a "temptation" isn’t worth it. Just save yourself the stress wrinkles, drink water, and moisturise. Leave that person alone and block their number.
Are your songs autobiographical or do they come from your imagination, or both?
A bit of both, I’m very much a day dreamer so sometimes I just space out and sing about whatever and write it down. Lately due to Covid most of my songs are more about me and my emotional state from day to day. What’s hard or easy.
Occasionally I get a bit funny and write songs about my dog for fun and try to fit it into different song styles to pass the time during Covid. Last week, I wrote a love song about sharing the couch with my dog. The other week I wrote a country song for a friend about dating during Covid called "Slim Pickin's". The inspirations for the songs changes. Sometimes due to the situation some outside influence helps.
Do you listen to much music on Spotify, and if so, what are the top releases we should check out?
Plastic Love-Mariya Takeuchi
I’m Every Woman-Chaka Kahn
Acalanto-Luedji Luna
Bidi Bidi Bom Bom-Selena (I always have to honor Selena as a Texan)
SuperGood-Duckwrth (album)
We Don’t Funk-Kirby
Actually I made playlists for each season of Covid. Maybe it's a random idea but if anyone's interested I'll share the link and you can check them out. Could be fun!
You have your own theatre company, can you tell us more about it?
I do! A-Tak-Dál is a theatre company that was started with my classmates from DAMU (Tinka Avramova and Debora Štysová.) Our focus is creating a space for conversation and collaboration with young Czech and International artists. Of course our performances are currently on hold but we can’t wait to share them again!
Lockdown has been difficult for everyone. How has it affected you and your art?
Sometimes I want to make sure I try everything but the inspiration comes in waves. Which I’m trying to understand and work with. I have this period where I’m active and working, and then for two or three days afterwards I’m so drained. I’ve had to learn how to pace myself and take each moment as it comes. It’s a constant process.
For me, it’s important to sometimes call a friend and say “I’m going crazy in my house and I miss my friends, parties and dancing!!!” And they always agree because everyone is in the same situation and it reminds me that I’m not alone.
Now more than ever it’s challenging for artists. Do you have any plans or projects you are working on over the next 12 months?
I am currently working on a Skate Zine, a magazine that covers a topic of roller skate culture in Prague in collaboration with Divadlo X10 and Y Events.
One of my performances is scheduled for a German Theatre Festival in June which is exciting and I hope we can do it.
I’m also doing some more work on other performances I’ve already made but I can’t say more yet, it’s still in progress. :)
And I’m also hoping to sing with a band again before the year ends.
And finally, Alyssa, if you had one wish for 2021, what would that be?
I want to go surfing in Puerto Rico and hangout with my best friend from home and my dog.
