Life & Work with Alyssa Newkirk of Orange County, CA

Today we’d like to introduce you to Alyssa Newkirk

Hi Alyssa, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
At six years old, I started writing songs on my bedroom floor while being inspired by Christina Aguilera, Hilary Duff, and Britney Spears. Now, one may ask, “What does a six-year-old know about life and songwriting?” Truth be told, I didn’t know too much about what made a good song back then, but I did know that I needed to have strong verses, choruses, and bridges—and most importantly, a good story. Songwriting is all about storytelling. I would imagine what a breakup feels like or how it would feel to lose someone close to you and turn those thoughts into a lyrical story.

Fast forward 11 or 12 years, I was still writing songs, but I no longer had to imagine the scenarios I came up with when I was six years old. I poured my heart and soul into my songs—whether it was the feelings of heartbreak, lost friendships, or the struggles of navigating through life. Everything I wrote was an experience of what I was feeling.

The real turning point for me and my music was when I was 18. I experienced the most tragic loss of my life—losing my mother. There wasn’t any other way for me to get my grief and feelings out besides writing them down, and in turn, I turned something tragic into something beautiful. A few months after my mother’s passing, I decided that I wanted to try to start a band, as well as record and perform my music live. That’s when I met the members of our band, Iridescent. These members felt like an extended family to me, and what made it even better was that we created such incredible music together.

We spent hours in recording studios, practice spaces, and writing songs at each other’s houses. We played at iconic venues such as the House of Blues, Chain Reaction, and The Viper Room, and we toured out of state. After some time, a couple of the band members had an amazing opportunity to be in a hardcore band, so we ended up going our separate ways musically in 2020. Although we’re no longer in a band together, these guys are still my family and some of my best friends to this day.

After the end of the Iridescent era, I knew I couldn’t give up on creating music. This is when I created Blyss. With Blyss, I feel like I have no boundaries to what I write, and this has allowed me to create the best songs I have ever written. The songs I create now are a whimsical mix of dreamy, powerful, and heart-wrenching tones and lyrics. The most recent songs I have written have been about love, lust, loss, and revenge; these feelings all make for the best stories.

What really makes these songs come to life is getting to share them with people. Being able to create these songs on the floor of my bedroom with a keyboard or guitar or in a little hole-in-the-wall practice space with my friend Stephen, and then have the chance to share my music on stage for people who really resonate with it, is a feeling that can’t be beaten. Seeing people sing the lyrics to my songs is a dream that I’ve had since I was that little six-year-old girl in her bedroom, just trying to be a pop star—and now, that dream has come true.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
There have definitely been some challenges throughout my musical career. A few worth mentioning would be the struggles that come with promoting my music, experiencing writer’s block, and re-identifying myself after Iridescent broke up. Before TikTok, promoting your music to a wide audience was somewhat difficult. The only way you could promote yourself was through Instagram, Facebook, blogs, or playing shows, but even then, reaching an audience that was bigger than just your circle of followers was a bit challenging. Thankfully, we now have TikTok, which allows creatives to connect with thousands of people with just one post. Writer’s block has also hit me quite a few times over the years. While working a regular 9 to 5 and being in school, you can sometimes lose a sense of creativity. It typically happens for a week or even a couple of months sometimes, but what has helped my writer’s block is going to a concert, spending time with friends, or just taking a long drive by myself – and just like that, my creativity comes back and I can write a hit song in an hour. Last but not least, after the members of Iridescent went separate ways, I became overwhelmed with the feeling of “what now?” I had to sit down with my thoughts for about a month to figure out what I wanted my new sound to be, what I wanted to write about, where I wanted my career to go. It was a lot of self-reflection, but it was a journey that really turned into something great.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m Blyss, and for me, music has never just been about melodies and lyrics—it’s about feeling. It’s about taking the things we sometimes can’t put into words—love, loss, desire, heartbreak—and turning them into something real, something you can hear, something that stays with you. These feelings have been shown in my latest songs, “Attention”, “Bittersweet”, and “Karma”.

Over the years, I’ve learned that songwriting is more than just an outlet; it’s the thread that connects me to the people who listen. That connection is what drives me. I’ve spent nights writing in my bedroom, hours in the studio chasing the perfect sound, and unforgettable moments on stage, watching people sing my words back to me. That’s the magic of music.

What I create now with Blyss is the most honest version of myself. It’s raw, it’s unfiltered, and it’s exactly what I want to say. My music isn’t tied to any rules or expectations—I write what I feel, and I let the emotion guide the sound. Some songs feel like a dream, some like a gut punch, and some like a slow-burning fire.

I think what sets me apart is that I’m not afraid to lean into the extremes of emotion. I don’t just want to write songs that sound good—I want to write songs that stay with people, songs that hit you in the chest, songs that remind you of something or someone you’ve loved or lost.

At the end of the day, I just want to create music that makes people feel something—whether it’s heartache, nostalgia, empowerment, or that quiet moment where you realize you’re not alone. Because to me, that’s what music is all about.

Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
If there’s one thing I’ve learned about the music industry, it’s that networking isn’t just about handing out business cards or sending cold DMs—it’s about genuine connection. Some of the best opportunities I’ve had have come from simply showing up, being present, and supporting other artists.

One of my favorite ways to connect is by talking to people at shows—whether it’s my own or one put on by Local Deadbeat, who throws great shows in Orange County. I love meeting the people who come out, hearing their stories, and just getting to know them beyond the music. The people in the crowd aren’t just fans; they’re part of the same community. Some of them are musicians, some are artists, some are just there because they love live music—and those conversations often turn into friendships, collaborations, and unexpected opportunities.

I also believe in supporting other bands. If you want to be part of a scene, you have to show up for it. Go to local shows, talk to the bands you love, share their music, and be a fan first. Some of my closest friends in music came from simply going up to them after a set and saying, “Hey, that was sick.” You never know where a conversation might lead—maybe it turns into a feature on a song, an invite to play a show, or even just someone who genuinely supports what you do.

At the end of the day, networking isn’t about trying to get something—it’s about building relationships. Be real, be present, and don’t be afraid to start a conversation. The music industry can feel overwhelming, but when you find the right people, it stops feeling like “networking” and just feels like being part of something bigger.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2iFuawjfFCtGs9KzJJw9Tt?si=j8JOOOfxR_ydWh-uPhX0SQ
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lovelylyssalynn
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@lovelyblyss

Image Credits
Image credits to Andrew Rice, Mckenna Elsner, Coby Rossi, and Darnell Fraizer