Township native Alyssa Joseph discovered her passion for music early on, after attending an open mic night.
Alyssa Joseph, a Voorhees native turned Nashville indie rock artist, has released an introspective single that she says speaks directly to the pressures women face while navigating career aspirations and societal expectations.
The alternative rock anthem, “Another Year,” touches on those pressures.
“I turned 30, and I’ve been super stuck on the fact that I can’t think of any women who have had their break in music after they’ve had kids,” Joseph said of the song’s inspiration. “There’s so much misogyny, and when you become a mom, society doesn’t look at you the same. I feel like my time is ticking.”
The Eastern High School graduate discovered her passion for music early in life.
“My mom took me to an open mic night at Borders when I was in seventh grade,” Joseph recalled. “I wrote my first song then and realized how much I loved writing my own music.”
Joseph’s path included studying music at Drexel University and interning in Nashville, where she fell in love with the city’s diverse music scene. She made the move there five years ago, establishing herself as an indie rocker.
“I write songs as a coping mechanism, and I’ve always had really big feelings,” Joseph explained.
The singer said her music is often shaped by personal experiences, including the loss of a brother.
“I didn’t write for a year after he passed,” she remembered. “I needed to reach a stage of anger in order to start writing again. Music became a way for me to cope.”
A catharsis, Joseph related, came with “Another Year,” which she describes as a sonic journey of balancing life’s expectations.
“We’re all still figuring our (stuff) out,” she observed. “You will never ‘arrive.’ We are perpetual works in progress.”
Joseph is also passionate about fostering inclusivity in the music industry.
“My partner and I started hosting shows in our garden to build community,” she noted. “This year, we booked 21 local artists and held events where people shared stories about grief. It’s a safe place to create and connect.”
Outside of music, the vegan and advocate for body positivity incorporates those values in her music and lifestyle.
“One day,” she said, “we’d love to have a homestead and grow everything we eat. Until then, we’ll keep building our garden community and supporting local artists.”
“Another Year” is the first of several singles Joseph plans to release with producer Jared Corder. With a recent solo tour through the Northeast and Midwest, the singer says she’s gaining momentum and connecting with fans on a deeper level.
“It’s about the music and connecting with people through that medium,” Joseph emphasized. “Everyone has been through something, and the answer is community. I want people to know they’re not alone. There’s music and art out there that can heal us.”
For more on Alyssa Joseph and to listen to “Another Year,” visit Alyssajoseph.com.
