Today we’d like to introduce you to Alisha Liston.
Alisha, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I am a 13 year old singer, songwriter, actress and aerialist. Looking back, I started singing since… forever. When I was in preschool, I loved Disney songs and I’d sing them for hours around the house. Even then, I knew I wanted to be a singer. Knowing this, my parents got me into singing lessons and encouraged me to take piano lessons too. I learned how to read music, and I’d try to write my own songs. At that time, I didn’t know anything about songwriting or song structure, I just loved music.
It wasn’t until I was eight that I really started learning how to write songs. I started working with some different people and learned everything I could. By that time, I was taking guitar lessons, got into acting and aerial silks. I released a few singles but really struggled with knowing who I was and what I wanted my artistry to be about. That didn’t come until I was 12 and I started working on my EP, Beautiful Illusion. Being that it was an EP, the songs needed to tie together. The process helped me to be specific about my artistry. I was asking myself questions like… “What’s the goal? Why am I doing this? What do I hope to accomplish?”
In the end, it became really clear to me that I wanted my music to help and inspire people the way other people’s music has helped and inspired me. Growing up can be painful. I remember last year was unbelievably hard, I lost my grandma and my great grandmother. I wanted to write music to help other teens and people like me who are struggling. I want them to know, things will get better eventually and it’s okay to feel hurt. While it is hard to see it at the time, our struggles are an important part of our journey and they help to make us who we are.
With that as a goal, I started writing. I teamed up with Idrise Ward-EL and Adrian Lopez. Together we wrote and produced Beautiful Illusion, a collection of songs about perseverance growth and healing. We released it on August 27th, and now, we are working on a new song, Quiet Little House, that we’re planning to release at the end of November/early December for the holidays.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Becoming a music artist has been an amazing journey, and yes, I’ve had a few obstacles along the way.
To start, I have asthma and while that hasn’t really affected my ability to sing, it is often accompanied with acid reflux. Acid reflux, if not controlled over time, can cause hoarseness and damaged vocal cords. Because these problems happened when I was so young, I thought the symptoms were normal. It wasn’t until my voice had gotten so hoarse I could no longer sing, did we realized the problem.
Another challenge has been working within my own limitations as I am growing. An example of that is how my voice has developed. When I was 8 and 9, my voice was higher pitched and not as full. Now, I’m an alto and I’ve learned to really love my voice and how it’s matured. It’s just challenging at that time when you are asking yourself, “Why is my voice changing?”
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a 13-year old singer, songwriter, actress and aerialist. I started acting professionally at five. Since then, I’ve performed in many projects including: Simone in the Lifetime Movie, Killer Reputation; Olive in the Snapchat interactive mystery show, Solve; Sofia in Aubergine; the voice of Zoey, the ambulance in Super Wings!; and numerous national commercials.
In 2020, when production stopped due to Covid, I started focusing more and more of my time on music. By 2021, I decided I wanted to write an EP and start Alisha Liston Music. I am still acting and sometimes it’s a challenge balancing the two, but I’m having fun and I’m enjoying the journey.
What makes you happy?
I’ve always wanted my music to help someone with coping, and I really can’t express how much joy I feel when someone says that a song of mine helped them go through a difficult situation or that they relate to my lyrics. Messages like those really inspire me to continue, and I’m so glad I could help someone, just as music has helped me.
In addition, I just love being creative and working with my team. Idrise and Adrian are incredible, and I love creating songs together with them. We really click, and I’m so thankful that I know them and I love working with them in the studio.
Contact Info:
- Website: alishalistonmusic.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alishaliston/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alishalistonmusic
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/alishaliston?lang=en
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoj_jQhRLBLxuTZSa4LGmzw
- SoundCloud: https://www.soundcloud.com/alishaliston
Image Credits:
Maria Tornberg, Susan Liston
