Episode: 70: Aly G: Super Fierce & Fun Music

Today on the podcast I am chatting with the Bushwick-based musician, producer, choreographer, and singer-songwriter Aly G also known as Alyson Greenfield. Listen in to hear us talk about her creative process, what she does to destress, her favorite musical endeavors, and more.

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Show Notes and Full Transcript

JK: Hey everyone. Welcome to the Eat, Sleep, Breathe Music Podcast. I’m your host Jeanette Kimszal. And I’m here today with Aly G, the neon hip hop doppelganger of musician, producer, choreographer, and singer-songwriter, Alyson Greenfield, spitting rapid-fire rhymes with equal parts, feminism, fierceness, slaying the mic with quirky, clever raps about gentrification, misogyny, superpowers, and ovaries.

Greenfield is also one half of Polyvox with Joe McGinty from the Psychedelic Furs. She has earned accolades from the New Yorker, and HuffPost, and New York’s The Deli and was also one of the first artists chosen to record at Converse’s Rubber Track Studio in Brooklyn. Welcome to the podcast. And should I call you Aly, Aly G, or Ayson, what do you want to go by?

AG: Whatever you want to call me. Okay. All right. Uh, multiple musical personalities, but, uh, seem necessary for this rap project. But yeah, thanks for having me. Yeah, I’m really excited.

JK: So I guess I’ll just dive right into the questions. I know you started freestyling back in the day in college.

Did you always want to be an artist? Did you grow up with music before this? Or was this just something that kind of found you later in life? Um,

I grew up like writing songs since I was maybe in fifth grade, but no one in my family did music and I was really obsessed with the piano. So I Asked for piano lessons for like two years and they were my parents were like, okay I guess you can play this like no one was really into like music, but I felt like I knew I really wanted to do it so Yeah, I’ve been kind of like writing songs for a really long time, but it was always for me not really.

I was, I acted when I was young, but sharing my own songs felt very vulnerable. So I didn’t really do it until some years like post-college. Um, and I definitely rapping wasn’t, I did, yeah, I was freestyling kind of just. When I lived in Wisconsin, that’s where I went to college and it was really, really cold.

And so I was walking with my friends and we, I was just trying to keep our minds off of how cold it was. So I just started freestyling and they were like, what are you doing? And I was like, I don’t know, but it’s fun. But I didn’t ever think about that being something I would. At that time, I mean, ever do on a stage or, or anything.

JK: Oh, that’s awesome. In terms of your creative process, do you tend to start with music and lyrics together, or do you have an idea of like one thing and then kind of go into the other?

Um, it really depends. A lot of times when I’m songwriting, I will sit down, like, at the piano, or with a synth, or with a guitar, and just start playing and singing at the same time, and a lot of times I don’t even know what’s gonna come out, I just let it come out, and I will have my phone on, like, the voice memo app, and I’ll just kind of capture it, and then I’ll go back and listen and see what I liked.

Um, and then with raps, uh, that’s a little, and Because a lot of times just like a rap will come to me or I’ll be like walking on the street and do something or I just kind of am trying to find like the flow and the cadence of it. So I’m usually not, that usually kind of starts on its own. Sorry, there’s sirens here in Brooklyn.

JK: It’s, it’s, you know, it’s, it happens, it goes with living in a city, right? So yeah, so that’s, it is a little different with the rapping because usually I will then maybe work with a producer and listen to their different beats and actually see what beat kind of matches what the rap is. So that’s very different than like songwriting in that way that I’m usually writing songs with uh an instrument.

JK: Oh cool. And do you find, is there a ever moments of spurts of like where you feel that you know rapping comes to you more easily at some points or other times?

AG: Like yeah I think. It seems like whatever the top Um, I feel like maybe I’m trying to be like cheekier or funnier with the raps, but also like anger can come out in a different way, especially anger, maybe about, um, things that are going on in the world or social issues.

Like it’s, it’s interesting. I feel like I put like anger, confusion, comedy all into one in my raps, whereas like songwriting, it’s more, there might be some humor in it, but. Um, it’s more like, uh, very personal, like things I long for, or, um, has like a, maybe a lighter touch, in a way? I don’t know if that makes sense.

JK: No, it definitely, definitely does. And do you like one more than the other, or are they kind of like your children where you can’t really pick the favorite?

AG: Yeah, you know, I, and I also do electropop. And I’m just, I think for me, it’s like I get, I wouldn’t say bored, but I like to be, I really love like new things all the time.

And so I think what I’ve also found is like things will just come to me as a certain genre. I don’t really pick that. I feel like all of a sudden I’ll just start like, Oh, I have an idea. Oh, it’s coming out of me. I’m like, Oh, this one is a rap. This one is a song, this one, you know, and for a while it was, it was really just songwriting until.

Until a couple times rap started and I was like, oh, I guess that’s what it is And I didn’t really know if that was something that was gonna stick But then it kind of kept coming to me for certain things. So yeah, it’s it really I get excited about the different forms for different reasons. And, and I think that’s been a little challenging for my artistic career because a lot of people are like, well, what, but what do you do?

You know? And I really love them all for different reasons and I feel compelled to inspire, to create them all. And so right now it’s like having these two projects. Sometimes I think about like, if I’m releasing something for Aly G and then I’m I’m probably going to be releasing actually like a EP or full length album for Alyson Greenfield in the summer.

Then am I like marketing the two projects against each other or whatever, you know? But, um, I just, I, yeah, it’s hard for me to just do one thing or even say like, oh, this is my favorite. Cause on a different day or a different hour of the day, a different thing will feel like my favorite, you know?

JK: But, you know, that’s good too, because I feel like now it’s not so much where it used to be like how rap and other music was so kind of segregated.

Like I feel like a lot of, at least from things that I’ve listened to, like there’s a lot of different influences kind of melding together. So. You know, like it’s great that you can kind of do all of this because it also makes you more dynamic as an artist.

AG: I hope so, you know, I Do them all so yeah, there was a part of me that was thinking Oh, should I just also have the rap stuff be in Alyson Greenfield?

But it’s I feel like there’s something else with the project that it’s also just so much more like pop. It’s like pop electro rap type of thing that I feel like it’s fun to kind of have that as like another personality Whether it’s might be a little harder for me to manage the two personalities, but it I think um, It’s it’s it’s fun in a way to have it as like a separate project.

Um, well, thank you for listening and I’m glad that uh, yeah, and then the composing is a whole other thing right because the composing is like How do I come up with that? Do you mean, are you talking about just like, how do all these things come to me? Or like, for some of those things that you listen to, I was hired to write things for a film or for a TV show or something.

So sometimes it really is almost like an assignment, which is kind of fun. So you’re matching, you need to match the emotional field through music to picture. Then some of those things it’s that I had already written something and then the TV show or the film felt like it matched to their picture. Um, And so it depends, like when you’re listening to that reel, right, that’s like a compilation of multiple, um, compositions and songs of mine that have been placed or composed for film and TV.

So it’s kind of different with everything, um, and I never thought about getting into that, but then when, through different channels, some people heard my stuff, and then it was really cool to see, oh, my stuff that I write for me actually goes to picture, kind of as they say, and then, Having some people ask me to compose first up was also, it’s just another way to create and I never planned on doing that.

I mean, I don’t even really read music, but I write music and I work with a lot of classically trained players, especially string players when I’m composing. And I, I just love strings. I love like the epic nature that strings can add to something. So I think I’m just very open and I’m always up for a challenge.

So even though. I never planned on that it when I composed a feature film, the director heard me on WNYC, like the local NPR station, they had featured a song of mine, and he just found my website and emailed me and said, like, would you be interested in composing my film? And I was like, uh, yeah, and then it turned out to be like a really great project.

And, um, and I got to kind of go down that road a bit. And then that also led me to some other things. So. I’m just, yeah, I’m pretty much just open to things (laughing).

That’s great. And also it’s cool because it’s such, it’s another avenue, you know, with, with the way the music industry is today and streaming and all this like unknown of it’s, it’s nice that there is that avenue of like being creative and getting jobs and doing different things.

Yeah, it’s definitely one of the ways that you can still make some money in music. I mean, music, it’s very different because people, right, because of streaming, people aren’t really buying albums in the same way. And it’s, yeah, it’s a very, it’s, it’s just, it’s all been really interesting. I mean, to figure out the music industry is not easy at all.

I definitely have not. Um, but, but yeah, it’s fun to be creative and for there to be budgets or for someone to say, Oh, I want to use your song in this thing, like, you know. And then you get to say, okay, well, what’s your budget? Whereas a lot of other things, the music industry, it’s like, there aren’t budgets, you know? So, yeah.

JK: Yeah no, it’s nice. Nice to have a budget. So just going back to the two tracks that you had put out as Aly G, the, um, build, build it up and superpower. So I know that you have a video out for build it up. Do you like doing music videos? Are you looking to do another video for a superpower? Is that on the horizon?

AG: Yeah, so I love doing music videos I think because I started out acting from the time. I was six years old. And so I think Performing I really find I love performing and I love doing music videos Gets me in this zone where i’m so comfortable and I have so much fun So the superpower music video is almost we shot it and the edit is almost done So i’m hoping to release that next month.

Um And yeah, I’m excited. It’s a totally different look like build it up was very it was like daytime and like bright colors and Like fun and like that and superpower. I has it’s was shot at nighttime. We have like red lighting It’s very much like it’s very like industrial city dark time like like dark vibes, you know So i’m really excited to have that uh visual component actually to build it up, which is like Fun and and like bright colors, you know, so I really and I think again that goes back to like my origins of acting of like I just want to inhabit kind of not, not that it’s a totally different.

I mean, Aly G is different than Alyson Greenfield, but not that the videos are different characters necessarily, but they’re definitely way different vibes and it’s really fun to like, go deeper into each of them with each project.

JK: Do you feel the songs are similar, but they’re very different? I mean, I think you bring that kind of like upbeat vibe to both of them, but you know, superpower seems to be a little bit more, not that builds it up.

Isn’t a serious topic as well, but you know, superpower seems to be more like a very serious. And is that something you do as well? You’d have upbeat music, but then also bring people in and then give them the message. Is that something you planned and you plan as a writer? I mean, I think the whole thing with Aly G and the feedback I’ve been When I do live shows is that the whole thing about it, like, if you don’t know what I’m saying, it’s like fun and it’s like upbeat in a certain way and it’s like, cool, superpower, build it up.

Like, if you don’t know what they’re about, you’re still kind of like on the choruses, they’re catchy, right? And so that’s something I’m doing with this project. But then if you really listen, especially with superpower, I also rap kind of fast. So I know it’s not easy to always understand everything I’m saying, but it’s like, if you listen, you know, the whole message is about like, don’t mess with women.

You might underestimate us. Because of whatever, but it’s like we’re very powerful and we have these inherent powers, um, and it, I, I wrote it in response to also like, I was mugged once and then I was like sexually assaulted on the train in New York City, and so For me, it was also a personal, like, I know you might see me and I’m small.

You’re thinking, and I am such a, like, when it comes to fight or flight, I’m such a fighter I’ve learned in these things when you, and so I just wanted to say, and then it made me think about how, you know, like I’m was smaller than these people, but they were literally running away from me. And then it made me think about that story about like, you know, the, the mother that like lifted up a car when her baby was under it and just that superhuman strength that.

People can have, um, and especially women. Cause I think it’s like, you know, people think of us as the more like diminutive, you know, sex or whatever. And, um, and I just want to go back to, like I say in the song, like, I mean, women can have babies, like, hello, like, there’s so many things about women that are so powerful and, um, and I, yeah, it’s kind of fun to like, have kind of like a upbeat chorus.

That could be empowering, but also even if you didn’t know it just like can stick in your head, you know, um, but then that I’m yeah, I’m definitely it’s more like I’m getting some things off my chest, you know, if you hear what I’m saying, and you relate to it. Awesome. If also, if you’re just like, oh, this, this makes me feel powerful as a person, like, yeah, that’s awesome.

That’s great too, you know, but it does come from a place of like, you know, women’s empowerment and being like, don’t mess with me. Like, even if you think you can, I wouldn’t try because you’re not, it’s not going to be good for you.

JK: Good for you. When I was, I was reading a little bit about the song and I was, I was just like, I thought it was so cool that you, you know, you stood up to these people to be like, don’t mess with me (laughing)

AG: Well, I think the thing is, I didn’t know You know, it wasn’t like I really thought about it, but it’s just in those instances like things happened. It’s like without thinking, you know, it’s like my mom was like, Oh no, you could have something worse could have happened. And I was like, it’s not a choice when something happens and you go into that fight or flight, like you just, you do it.

And because it’s, it’s not a thinking, it’s a doing, it’s a, you know. In the moment reaction. So, um, I think it actually did make me feel good that I’m like, okay, I can fend for myself, you know?

JK: That’s great. And also it gives you this experience. I can prepare and be even more ready to like, do whatever you need to do to get out of that situation.

AG: Yeah, I mostly just try to have an aura about me. That’s like, also, I’ve, I’ve lived in the city now for like, so long and I just. And, I mean, it’s, I’ve lived here for 14 years, I mean, one thing happened in Chicago, I used to live there, and one thing happened here, but it’s like, mostly, I feel like I just kind of walk, like, I’m just like, you know, I, it’s like, also I’m comfortable, I’m very comfortable in the city, and I’m aware, so, I, I just try to kind of like, own, own how I actually feel.

JK: No, it’s true. My husband, he’s always very ready for like, stuff to happen whenever we go anywhere. He’s like, he’s always looking for exits or like, just, you know, he likes to be prepared. Like, it’s good. You, you know, you should be prepared. Cause like. You know, like, who knows what’s going to happen?

Hopefully, nothing happens, but you want to be, you want to always be prepared for, like, the worst. Which sounds terrible, but I don’t know.

AG: I, I think that I personally, like, don’t want to live in that place of always worrying or wondering or being prepared. It’s more just that I’m, like, I just feel like I’m trying to, again, like, exist in a space that, like, I’m owning my comfort with myself, and almost, like, not, Not being super distracted.

I also like don’t wear headphones most the time like those types of things But I don’t see it as being like, oh my gosh, i’m what’s gonna happen today. I’m just like no I know what’s going on so mostly like just I kind of feel like I have this aura now that’s just like And you don’t want to know let’s just You know?

JK: That’s a good way to approach it. You’re right. I try not to be like a negative person, but sometimes those negative thoughts creep in and then I’m like, I’m like, ah, but I, you know, I don’t really think bad things are going to happen, but you know, you’re, you’re right though. Just being aware, you know, having, standing up for yourself and having some, like, you know, like chutzpah or like, just, you know,

AG: You know, I’m, I’m from Ohio originally, and now I actually really do feel. More comfortable in a city environment. When I go back to places that are like more suburban or rural, I actually feel more, almost more fearful than when no one’s around that’s true personally. And that’s, what’s so interesting. But when I’m, you know, you always know, it’s like, I also, I just, it’s just, there’s always usually people around, even if it’s late out and like, I got my like 24 seven deli, I know the people that work there, like, it’s just like, I just feel like.

You know, and when you go somewhere else and there’s like, no one around, it’s just kind of creepy to me now.

JK: Yeah, plus like, those are the places where bad things tend to happen, which is, we just started watching that murders only in the building, and like, I think in the beginning of that episode, he was like, bad things happen usually in the middle of nowhere (laughing)

AG: Yeah. Well, there’s, yeah, there’s not a lot of witnesses right now, but I, I do think about things like that, but, I know. Just that I, Again, just like that, I do feel quite comfortable in the city, like, very comfortable and it’s surprising to me as someone who grew up in Ohio that I actually feel more comfortable in the city than if I’m somewhere in Ohio, like, even if I go to, like, a family member or friend’s house and just o one’s around, you know (laughing)

JK: Yeah, it’s odd because when you’re used to so many people being around, you’re like, this is just not what I’m used to.

AG: Yeah, that’s when I’m like, who’s around where it’s like in the city. I got it. You know,

JK: You’re like that guy. They’re, they’re always there. It’s fine. I’ve read that you’re also going to be working, you’re working on some collaborations right now with producers, um, Jon Block and Grammy-nominated, uh, Baby Paul, I forgive me if I’m saying those names wrong, but, um, can you share any tidbits about like, what’s happening with that?

AG: Yeah, so Jon Block, I, I’ve been working with the one that did, um, build it up and superpower. And I have another couple of tracks that are one that’s done and another one that we’re working on. And then I met Baby Paul. About a year ago now and we are working on a track. I’m really excited about that’s half French half English Um, and yeah, it’s been really really cool to work with him because yeah, he’s Grammy nominated.

He’s worked with Nas and Monie Love. He’s worked with Kanye West Um, and he actually DJ’d my “Build It Up” release show here in New York City So and then he was one of the producers on the SuperPower music video as well. So it’s been really fun to form this collaboration like artistic collaboration with him And I’m really, really grateful because he’s been in the industry for a long time.

He has, he just has a lot of knowledge and experience and he is one of the most positive people I’ve ever met. I think people in the industry can, it can be very up and down as I’ve personally experienced and he’s really supportive and encouraging and I just feel really grateful to get to work with him on projects.

So yeah, I’ll probably We’re gonna I think we’re gonna go into the studio soon to finish the track we’re working on And then i’m hoping to release More tracks with him and also, uh, Jon Block and hopefully that would be like an EP Um, sometime soon and hopefully do some more music videos and stuff too.

JK: That’s exciting. Look forward to that. So, if you could have one superpower unrelated to music, what would it be and why?

AG: Oh my god. This is a huge question. I could answer this in so many ways. Cause like, the first thing that comes is that like, just with so many things going on in the world, my first thing is that like No one would die, like, not of natural causes or something, like, no one, like, peace, I would actually be able to, like, instill peace and understanding among the people of the world, um, that’s the first thing that comes to mind, um, that I could just, like, wave, and it’s just, like, you know, not only would people live, but people would understand people that they don’t understand, I just feel like so much In the world, there’s so many people pitted against each other, and I, I think that at the bottom of it, like, if we can just see the humanity of each other, like, we really all are way more similar than we think, that’s why I love living in New York City, because there’s so many different types of people here, and we, we interact well, and I, people think, say, New Yorkers are mean, they’re not mean, they’re so nice, and everybody helps people, like, they don’t know.

Day in a day out. I see it. And, um, I, yeah, it just really breaks my heart. Um, war breaks my heart. Uh, gun violence breaks my heart. You know, everything that’s happening in Gaza right now breaks my heart. I just, just, there’s so many things that I can’t. I get really overwhelmed by the news, um, as I think most people do, that it’s just like, Why are people in the world treating it?

Why? Why? Like, why don’t we care about, like, everyone having healthcare, and everyone having food to eat, and like, a place to sleep, and why? Yeah, I, anyway, so my superpower, I’m like, I’m like, okay, not really going on a tangent, but, um, you know, I think those are more my ethos and I, and sometimes I wonder like, oh, should I be doing more about all this stuff?

Um, I do have an upcoming track that talks about patriarchy and war a little bit. That’s not done, but it’s also like a funny track. So it’s interesting how as Aly G that I try to. Put these things out, but these things are important to me and I, I just yeah, I guess that would be my superpower that I could somehow like sprinkle the magic dust that would you know eradicate like I guess what I think of as evil and Killing and and misunderstanding like I I just feel like I feel like we could can’t we just be nice to each other and like recognize like Anyway, you get it.

JK: I think that’s great. It’s what you feel, it’s what makes you feel better. And, you know, it would also make the world a better place. So, it’s a good thing to have. So, as a female artist, I know that you are also very into upholding other female artists. I know you had done the, uh, Tinderbox Music Festival, uh, back, like, I think about 10 years ago or so. Do you think that you’re gonna be doing anything more like that in the future? Did you like running a music festival? Anything coming down the pike?

AG: I liked it. It was a lot of work, like a lot, a lot, a lot of work. Um, I did love being able to build community in that way and having so many emerging female artists from all over the world, like giving people a platform and, um, press and some recognition and creating more community.

But it really, after running it for four years, it really ran me down. Cause I also founded it and we didn’t necessarily have like a lot of capital, you know, financially. And it was great. We got great press and we had big sponsors and we had so many wonderful artists, like, especially at that time, I felt like when you looked at festival lineups, there was just so many guys and male front advance.

Just so many, I think it has changed now, but at that time I just was like, I want, I mean, Lilith Fair had come back also at that time, but I wanted even to be something more, even like emerging, like let’s give all these emerging artists and some of the artists we had have gone on to do. A lot bigger things.

Um, you know, and it’s, it’s, I, I’ve helped organize and run other events, but it’s not a lot of people say that to me and I’d be like, oh, are you going to do that again? Or that was so great. And I’m like. It took over my life, so if someone came to me with like a huge budget, maybe, like maybe, um, I’m really glad I did it then, but yeah, I now, you know, I do try to be on bills with other female artists and like uplift them still, or if I’m organizing a show, but it’s it’s Yeah, I think I’m going about it more, especially through the Allergy Project with Superpower and with some other things.

I’m trying to do that directly through my music as well. Um, yeah, so the running the, but the, it’s taught me a lot, but it’s not something that I’m like, Ooh, yeah, let’s, it’s, it’s such a huge job. No, definitely. Do you have any words of advice for any other musicians who are starting out, specifically female musicians?

Advice for, you know, I think right now, what’s, I think is really difficult about the music industry right now is that in some ways things are more in artists hands, but in other ways there’s such an oversaturation. I think it’s even harder to like make a dent because everybody is uploading their music to Spotify or SoundCloud.

Everyone can make music video. Everyone can do everything now. So, and that’s great. Like the democratization of art making is wonderful, but to really get, you know, there’s even, I feel like music industry people are saying like, yeah, I don’t even know what’s going on with press. These like, no, I feel like there’s a lot of like wild, wild West mentality where it’s like, well, just do what you can.

And, and like, I’m still figuring it out because when I started more, when I moved to New York, it was about. Was, I don’t know, like 14 years ago, right? And the end times were really even different then with so many things about how people found me or I was just playing a lot. And so I was getting press like things were happening, I think, just because I was really active, but Spotify didn’t exist like streaming in the way that it that it is now didn’t exist.

And so now I don’t know if I don’t know, playing a bunch of shows. Like in New York City will get you that type of press or recognition now, because that was 1 of the reasons I was able to. Start the festival was because I had gotten some attention as an artist and then I started saying to venues and to press and to, you know, like with converse, like they found me as an artist.

And I said, Hey, I have this music festival. So I was kind of going from like, what I had built up as an artist to create a bigger platform. And I, like I said, I don’t know, because I’m not starting right now. I don’t know if just playing a bunch, like, I don’t know if it’s. There’s also so many artists that I’ve never heard of.

I just go through Spotify and I’m like, I’ve never heard of these people. And they have like 500, 000 listeners a month. I, you know, um, so I think the advice is, and I still come back to this too, because I get really overwhelmed by things. And even though I’ve had some successes, it’s like very challenging to have like longterm, stable success, I would say.

Um, and I think coming back to just like why you love it and, and creating, and I think you can get caught up in the minutia of social media and posting and booking your shows and doing all the things you have to do as an artist now. And so taking time to, you know, jam with your friends or have time in your schedule that’s like you doing music.

Um, for me, I find that even booking a show or something like. Even when I might feel overwhelmed, but when I actually do the show, it just always brings me back. Like, Oh God, I love this so much. If it’s something you love, you know, like having things in your calendar, like with Joe McGinty, who I have the side project with, like we just played a show last week and released a single.

Um, and it’s called crying in the rain by Pollyvox. It’s a cover, but we just released that and played a show last week, which was so fun. And then we’re trying to even just put things on our calendar to say like, let’s just, let’s just have times on the calendar that we’re working on our project. Um, But in terms of really starting out, I mean, I, I guess I’m like, social media is definitely a thing.

And I think people. that are younger now really understand how to do that. So like, use what you know. But also like, I feel like things can be grassroots. They don’t have to be so big at first. So like, if you have another friend or a couple of friends, like just put together a show or a bill. And even, I would say, even like house concerts are really great.

Because if you do it at someone’s house, all the people that will be there really give you their attention. Then they’ll know how, who you are. And then you can maybe tell venues, like, we did this thing, um, but the other thing is it really never hurts to reach out to people on Instagram or find people’s emails.

Like, if there’s an artist you like that, not like Beyonce, but if there’s an artist that you like that’s, like, local and you’re like, oh, I’d really like to open for them, like, you can reach out to them on Instagram or Facebook or TikTok. You can. I mean, they, they can always obviously not get back to you, but I think sometimes taking chances, I did that.

Back in the day with some artists that, um, had played with bigger artists as like musicians and I got some of them to, like I, like Ani DeFranco’s bass player, he played on my first album and I was like, Oh my gosh, he answered me. And now he’s like coming to the session to play. Like, you just never know.

Some people will get back to you. And, um, but I think remembering like why you’re doing it and what you love to do and making time to do the thing you love to do. It’s really important, um, and being open to avenues that you Being open to just like seeing how the world responds to your art, like for me, I never set out, like I said, to do anything with, with TV and film.

But it did come to me, and then being open to that led to more opportunities in that way. So I think, yeah, being, remembering why you love it, what you love, and being open to opportunities that you might not even like foresee, I think is important. Oh, that’s awesome.

JK: I think that’s great. Great advice.

AG: That was a lot.

JK: No, it’s good though. Great advice. So, yeah, so I saw that you had some shows um, on your social media. You also had mentioned the show with Joe McGinty last week. Do you have any more live performances coming up that people can look forward to this year? Yeah, I do have some things in the works that I I don’t have direct dates right now.

AG: That will be like, yes, there are a lot of shows coming up, but we haven’t confirmed. I’m deciding like when I’m going to do what. So the best way to know when I’m doing that is to, uh, be to follow me on Instagram, um, or even on Spotify. There’s now a thing that’s linked that says when the shows are. So for both, I have show different shows for Alyson Greenfield, different shows for Aly G.

So Aly G Instagram is. It’s official Aly G and it’s A L Y G and then Alyson Greenfield is A L Y S O N, Greenfield. So they’re both, if you look up either of those, um, then stuff will come up, but I always post on the. On my Instagram and then I have like a link tree for Aly G and I have my website, but on my even on my Alyson Greenfield website on the shows page, it says shows for both of the projects.

So there will be more coming up. I have a lot of things in the works, but just talking to venues and we’re seeing like, what’s going to work. So I can’t announce at the moment. That sounds great.

JK: We’ll keep an eye out. Do you find that like you have different audiences for the different musics that you, that you, different musics (laughing), for the, do you have different audiences for the different music that you perform? Do you feel like your Aly G audience is different from your Alyson Greenfield audience? Or do you feel like there’s a merging of fandom?

AG: It, it’s both. I think also Aly G is so new. Like I just started the project like six months ago or something. So there are a lot of people there that kind of came from Alyson Greenfield and that are like, oh, what are you doing now?

But then there’s also people who like never knew who Alyson Greenfield was and are like, oh you do that stuff, too So I think I think it will be interesting that question I’m, like let’s revisit that question again when i’ve been around for more than half a year, you know, because i’m trying to Get, I do think there is, uh, possibly like a wider scope of fans that would like Aly G, that maybe wouldn’t be as into House of Greenfield, so I’m interested to see like, as I grow Aly G, kind of what happens and how that is.

I mean, I would love for people to like both, but I’m also totally cool with, I kind of like it if people are like, oh, no, like, that is my, more my vibe, or this is more my vibe, and that’s great, because I like to do them all. Um, but I think there is some crossover, but more again, because I introduced the project like to the people that were already into Alyson Greenfield.

I was like, no, I’m doing this thing, you know, but again, it’s so new. It’s like, so, so I will, we’ll see what happens with it. Like I said, I think because it goes into a little bit more pop and is a little more catchy. I feel like it could have a wider. eventually have maybe wider audience than Alyson Greenfield, but I don’t know, you know, we’ll see.

We shall see.

JK: So with all this stuff you do, how do you, do you have time to do anything else? How do you like, de-stress, just take time for yourself.

AG: Oh, there’s like another I don’t know if you also know this, I’m also a professor at a college here in New York. I missed that. I’m very busy. I mean, I don’t really, that’s not, I don’t think that’s in any of my bios.

Um, but it’s, I run an arts management program. So I basically teach college students about like working in the arts, being an artist. Like, I mean, it relates to everything I do. Um, but yeah, it’s, so I. It’s really important for me to like I try to I meditate almost every day I do yoga almost every day um and and yeah seeing friends is really important and You know once in a while watching a tv show like all those things but definitely like meditation.

I would say meditation, yoga, journaling, and seeing friends and cooking and cooking healthy meals. Not be into cooking. I felt like people would always say, Oh, I think you’d love cooking because you’re so creative. And I was like, I don’t know things I’m creative at. I don’t care about cooking. And then the past few years I’ve gotten really into cooking.

It’s very, cause I find it not because of the creativity actually, cause it grounds me because it’s like doing something. It’s just so, um, yeah, all those things are, are very important to me. And Yeah. And nature. I really, I love nature and I, I love living in the city, but I do wish I could get to nature more. So.

JK: Well, there are like, I, there’s bus trips, I think, and things you can do (laughing).

AG: Oh, I go upstate, especially when it’s nicer out. I mean, I’ve done all, it’s, it is very easy to get upstate. I think it’s just with doing so many things and with it being cold, I don’t as much. I mean, I go to parks, but yeah, once the weather gets nice, I always like go upstate and do stuff. And it’s really. So,

JK: Just one more fun little thing that I’ve been trying to ask different, um, people that come on here. So, Eat Sleep Breathe Music is about, like, discovering new music and different music. And so, I’d love to know what, like, artists that you’re digging right now.

AG: Oh yeah, that’s a great question, and I love talking about this.

I really love this artist, Empress Of. Um, she is so cool. I don’t know, have you heard of her?

JK: No, I haven’t. I’ll have to check her out.

AG: Um, I’ve been really into the new, uh, Caroline Polachek album. Um, I’ve been getting really into, um, Jon Batiste. Um, not that he’s new. I mean, a lot of these artists are not new, but it’s like stuff that I’m, I’m just listening to right now.

But I’ve also really been getting into, like, Charlie XCX, like, as the, in the, in the pop world. Um, and, um, I feel like there are others. I was just listening to Boy Genius earlier. Um, yeah, I feel like those are some artists that I’m into a lot of, I like, I’m really into like female electro-pop these days is a big, is a big one that I get excited about.

And then, um, yeah, Jon Batiste, I watched the, there’s a Netflix documentary out about him and I’ve always thought he was amazing. And I, I’ve seen him actually saw him live during a black lives matter protest. Like he’s, he also did a lot of stuff with, um, protesting and activism, um, and I just find him just a really amazing artist.

So going back through his work has been, uh, really cool and I just, he’s really inspiring. So yeah, so that’s kind of I’ve been listening to.

JK: Oh, that’s great. That’s also some, some new stuff for me to look. I’m always looking for new stuff to listen to. So thank you for the tips.

AG: If you want to follow up with me by email, if you’re like, wait, who is that artist you said? I’m happy to let you know. Yeah, I know.

JK: That’d be awesome. So if someone wants to find you and learn more about your music, where can they, where can they find you online?

AG: Like I was saying before, Instagram is really great to keep up, TikTok, so on Instagram and TikTok, I’m at official AlyG, A L Y G, but on Instagram, I’m also at Alyson Greenfield, A L Y S O N, and then I do have AlysonGreenfield.com, and then I also have official AlyG Linktree, so, um, but any of my, if you go on my Instagram. It will take you to all of that as well. Great. Yeah You know, I welcome everyone to the social.

JK: I know it’s like you love it and you hate it

AG: Very much that it’s like yeah, it’s the moments of the day. You’re like, this is so great I’m connecting with people and i’m finding this thing and some moments of the day you’re saying wow Why no, I put actually put a limit I put a timer limit on my phone for social media apps now because I just I don’t want to spend too much time on them So that’s a new endeavor for me.

JK: No, it’s good. I get these screen time alerts. I didn’t even set some up. They’re just on my phone. And then I’m like, oh, man, I need to get off the phone.

AG: That’s interesting.

JK: Yeah, I don’t, I don’t remember setting up. Maybe I did and I forgot. I don’t know, but I don’t know, but this was so fun. Thank you so much for chatting with me.

AG: It was so great to meet you.

JK: Yes, yes. I look forward to hearing and seeing what is next on the horizon for you. This was really fun.

AG: Yeah, I know.

JK: Thanks so much. Have a good night.

AG: Good night.

More information on the band

For more information on Aly G check out her official website AlysonGreenfield.com

That is www dot A-L-Y-S-O-N-G-R-E-E-N-F-I-E-L-D dot com.

You can also like and follow her on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

On Facebook, she is at the handle OfficialAlyG

That is O-F-F-I-C-I-A-L-A-L-Y-G

On Instagram, she can be found at AlysonGreenfield or OfficialAlyG

That is A-Y-L-S-O-N-G-R-E-E-N-F-I-E-L-D 

or 

O-F-F-C-I-A-L-A-L-Y-G

On Twitter, she is at the handle Alyson Greenfiel

That is A-Y-L-S-O-N-G-R-E-E-N-F-I-E-L

You will also find links to these in the show notes on our website.

If you’re looking for more new music be sure to subscribe to our podcast so you will get the latest updates on our artist features.

And if you like watching podcasts you can see these episodes on our YouTube page.

You can also find more music features on our website at www.EatSleepBreatheMusic.com. That is E-a-t-S-l-e-e-p-B-r-e-a-t-h-e-M-u-s-i-c dot com.

Thanks for listening and see you in the next episode!

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