Interview: Alyssa Goldberg
Photo supplied by Alyssa Goldberg
Alyssa Goldberg is a Los Angeles-based indie folk singer-songwriter whose music explores connection, self-discovery and finding a sense of home. Her path has taken her from musical theatre and screenwriting to teaching yoga and meditation in Bali, where she reconnected with songwriting and her voice. In this Silver Review interview, she discusses her single “Won’t Blink,” recording her debut album From My Treehouse in Bali, and the community she hopes to build around her music.
What inspires your music?
The art of connection — how we connect and relate to ourselves and our experiences, to one another, and to the world at large. I’m kind of obsessed with the quest to understand feelings we may not be able to name… finding new ways to touch and give voice to love and fear and freedom. And finding new ways to bring all of us back home to what really matters. To what's been there all along...
But also just the small moments!! Watching strangers hug on the street, the way light creates a rainbow when it hits water, constellations, the stories of people I meet in my travels, cuddling on a rainy afternoon. Since I was little I’ve always been a bit of a sappy nerd, enchanted by the magic of life, and when I stay in that place, inspiration really does live everywhere.
Who are some of your influences?
My soul lives with the great lyricists of the 70s — Bob Dylan, Crosby, Stills & Nash, Joni Mitchell — but I’m incredibly inspired by the sounds and worlds created by modern artists like Maggie Rogers and Mumford & Sons. I also grew up listening to The Grateful Dead and just love the spirit and play of that music and community. I listen to so much music and find different styles woven into the songs I write, but at the end of the day, I’m a sucker for a campfire guitar with some layered harmonies and the feel of the tape machine.
Photo supplied by Alyssa Goldberg
What are some of your favorite memories from your career?
The shift from music as a passion to a career happened while I was living in Bali, Indonesia, working as a yoga teacher. I had been writing songs in private for decades, keeping them to myself, so the first time I finally recorded a song and went through the process of taking the art off the page and into tangible form was an incredible experience. Same with my first open mic, and then my first show. You only get those firsts once!
By far my favorite memory thus far was flying back to Bali to record my first studio album. I set myself up with a crazy challenge of recording 11 songs in 8 days, serving as my own producer and composer and working with musicians I had never met before… and it was just an absolute whirlwind and a blast beyond what I can explain in words. Capturing the songs I had written in Bali back in Bali, and doing something that was definitely not on my bingo card as something I was capable of… it was one of the most gratifying experiences of my life.
Which of your songs/EPs/albums is your favorite and why?
That’s like picking a favorite child… impossible! Right now, my most recent single, “Won’t Blink,” feels the freshest, so I’d probably say that one. It was kind of chaotic to make, and the song itself came from an emotionally rattled place after seeing my ex on a coffee date, but that’s exactly what I love about it-- it's real. That said, my full-length album, “From My Treehouse,” coming out next year, takes the cake, purely because of the Bali experience and the story behind it.
Who are some of the collaborators who helped you create your favorite works?
A dear friend of mine from high school, Cooper Hudson Bell, helped me produce my first two singles which was such a treat after years of knowing one another. It's a gift to collaborate with someone who knew you in a completely different chapter of life. @songsbyhudson
What are you most excited to bring to your fans next?
My debut album, “From My Treehouse,” coming in 2027! This last year has been filled with writing and recording, and I’m beyond eager to finally share these songs and the stories behind them.
What are your goals for this upcoming year?
With the album on its way, I want to focus on growing as an artist and building a world around the music. That means reaching new audiences, finding more collaborators and musicians to create and tour with (putting together a band!), and cultivating more of a visual identity. Mostly, I just want to keep putting myself out there, refining the work, and building my community.
How can your fans and our readers best support you right now?
Honestly, just listening, downloading, and sharing the songs. It’s funny to live in a world where one video going viral can change an artist’s life, but it really can. So if you enjoy my music, please add it to a playlist, use a song in a reel, or send it to someone you think would love it. “Won’t Blink” is out now on all streaming platforms, and you can find me at @alyssangoldberg
I so deeply believe in the power of music, and I’d always encourage anyone who feels inclined to reach out and say hello :) It’s how we make this big world feel smaller.
Listen to “Won’t Blink” by Alyssa Goldberg
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Photo supplied by Alyssa Goldberg