By: Staff
With sex appeal at 100% and a magnetic vocal delivery, we immediately made weekend plans when we heard "Cherry On Top" by ALLYSE.. Convertible top down, check. Sunshine and (name the beach or rooftop spot), check. Frozen Piña Coladas with ALLYSE.'s cherry on top... CHECK!
This summer anthem drops in your ear with a super clean mix and production. Label quality and radio-ready production separate this track, bringing it to the front of the pack. Vocally, we were impressed with the sweet and powerful vocals of this emerging artist. From power to soft and breathy, we especially enjoyed the mid-song drop, so perfectly sung that even without a beat, ALLYSE. kept us vibing in our chairs with a precisely executed delivery.
The message fits right in with the hint of a summer fling, telling us to grab onto life without hesitation with the flirty insinuation, "I don't wanna make your life stop, no, I just wanna be the cherry on top."
On the Cage Blog, ALLYSE. shares, "The driving force of 'Cherry On Top' began with the first line I wrote: 'You think when love wins, you lose,' which then led me to the idea of the whole song: that you don't have to give up everything about yourself in order to love another person. I wanted it to be really playful, flirty, and fun and inviting, so once I had that driving message, everything just sort of easily grew from there!"
Check out the interview below. This needs to be the #1 track on your "need to have fun" playlist. Check out, playlist, and share "Cherry On Top" by ALLYSE. today!
Wait, there's more!
We caught up with this exciting and emerging artist in “The Cage” music blog to talk about music and learn more about them.
Here’s how it went:
When did you start making music? Can you tell the fans something they might not know about you that you feel is important to understanding why you create music?
I kicked off my ALLYSE solo project last year with the release of my first single “YKIC,” but it has all been a long time in the making! I’ve been writing songs and making music in one form or another since I was a kid (my parents have lots of embarrassing video footage to prove this!) but things really ramped up when I moved to Austin in 2015 and spent several years playing in bands. I learned a ton about writing, marketing, and producing music during this time. Being challenged and encouraged by other musicians helped me try on different styles and personas and develop my own musical tastes. So when it came time to strike out on my own for my solo project, I was ready.
Starting my solo project was a big moment for me. The process of uncovering who I was, what my passions were, what I had to say, etc. was a process that took me a long time. I had experimented with several different genres of music (starting off as a classical singer, then doing jazz and rock). I had become pretty good at blending in and meshing myself into other people’s projects and visions, but I finally reached a point when I knew I had to build something of my own. So starting my solo project as ALLYSE was kind of the culmination of everything I had learned about myself over those years. It’s a symbol of me finding and claiming my own style and my own voice.
What first sparked the passion for creating music?
I grew up in a musical family and loved music for as long as I can remember, but got even more into it once it became a source of community for me. My dad was in the military, which meant that my family moved every couple of years and I got very used to always being the “new kid” everywhere I went. I attended like 10 different schools in 12 years so I was sort of constantly on the lookout for a way to find and make friends. And it just so happened that joining band, choir, or musical theater productions was not only fun for me, but it was a great way to quickly make friends! So I think probably my exposure to music from a young age was the initial spark, but then the community aspect of it really fanned the flames of my love for music.
Can you walk us through your songwriting process and where the inspiration comes from? For this latest project?
No two songs are alike and I have a different process for writing each one! Sometimes I start with the hook, sometimes a lyrical concept, or sometimes I just start with a beat and build from there. No matter where it starts, I think it’s important for every song to have a driving idea or sentiment. Most of my songs deal with relationship dynamics and personal identity, so I definitely draw inspiration from my own experiences, past relationships, and struggles.
The driving force of “Cherry On Top” began with the first line I wrote: “You think when love wins you lose” which then led me to the idea of the whole song: that you don’t have to give up everything about yourself in order to love another person. I wanted it to be really playful, flirty, and fun and inviting, so once I had that driving message, everything just sort of easily grew from there!
Where do you create your music, i.e. in a home recording studio or with a producer? How do you finalize your finished work, ie self mixed / mastered or another source?
I record and produce all my own music at home. I feel really fortunate to have a space where I can think, write, create and record everything I need to without having to go very far.
I typically write and produce most of the song myself then take it to another producer or engineer for finishing touches.
My two favorite collaborators have been my friend and talented producer waverly (@waverlytheartist), and my amazing talented husband, Joel, who always provides me with support, encouragement, engineering support, and honest feedback, and has the patience to listen to my songs over and over again. (He also produces for his own project @klaustinishere). The two of us have really enjoyed working on each other’s projects together and always keep trying to sharpen each other’s skills.
Where do you see your sound and artistry heading in the future? Are there any exciting new directions you're exploring?
For a long time the majority of my songs were all about heartbreak, loss, and processing insecurities and frustrations. These songs came out mostly as slower R&B tracks and ballads. My songs still tackle difficult emotions, but I’ve naturally shifted my focus lately to songs that are more musically upbeat and light-hearted. My latest release, “Cherry On Top” is a funky, disco-inspired track that illustrates that perfectly. I’ve begun to view songwriting more and more as a way to relax, have fun, and let go of my worries, so I’ve been approaching my music with a more playful spirit than I did before. I can definitely see myself leaning more into that direction for future releases!
What instruments do you play? Which is your favorite?
I’ve gone through phases where I zero in on an instrument for a few years (including drums, guitar, piano, saxophone), but I’d say that over the years piano has emerged as the true queen! Today I consider piano my main instrument. I love the flexibility it gives me to accompany myself while singing and the versatility it gives me on the stage and in the studio. I’ve been playing piano since I was a little girl, starting at home then playing at church, then moving to Austin and playing in several bands. Right now it’s a great way for me to write songs and perform, but a future goal of mine is get really good at jazz piano.
What advice would you give your younger self and why?
I’d tell my younger self to stick to it and don’t give up! You don’t have to have everything figured out in order to keep moving in the right direction.
I wasted a lot of my time in my late teens and early 20’s spinning my wheels. I was very anxious and indecisive about which avenues of music to pursue, which school to go, or which place to live, that I ended up not really sticking with anything. I think I let my fear of failure get in the way of pursuing opportunities and learning from them. Since then I’ve realized that there’s really no magical formula or “best” way to go about pursuing music – everyone’s artist journey is unique to them! And often the “right” decision is just the one you commit yourself to!
What is your favorite song to cover?
I’m an R&B fangirl through and through and longtime fan of Alicia Keys, so “If I Ain’t Got You” has often been one of my favorite ways to end shows. Plus it gives everyone a moment to sing along and belt out the chorus!
What is your favorite quote?
One quote I just keep coming back to is Theodore Roosevelt’s famous “Man in the Arena” speech. Even though he was speaking about politics, there’s still so much here that also applies to being a creative or artist:
“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly…who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”
To me, the “(wo)man in the arena” is the artist who is brave enough to share their art and let themselves be seen by the world. Expressing yourself through music is inherently vulnerable, because it opens the door wide open to criticism and other people’s opinions. But this quote reminds me that just trying–even trying and failing–is more brave and more rewarding than sitting safely on the sidelines.
When you become famous, what band or artist would you love to tour with?
There are so many. But my top choices would be Amelia Moore, iyla, Amber Mark, Qveen Herby, or Kehlani (just to name a few).
Check out his latest release and listen to more of ALLYSE. on Spotify & YouTube.
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