Some songs have a way of catching you off guard, reaching into places you didn’t realize needed attention. That’s the energy of Alison’s latest single, Rhyme or Reason—a track that feels less like a song and more like a heartfelt conversation between her and anyone who’s ever stared at life’s chaos and tried to make sense of it.

When we sat down to talk about the single, I found myself drawn into her world, a space where shimmering soundscapes meet unflinching introspection. Our conversation touched on everything from the quiet moments of clarity that inspired the song to the unexpected metaphor of a “sad mermaid playing guitar,” which Alison laughs off as unintentional, yet perfectly fitting. We talked about her roots in New York City, the way the city’s constant motion has shaped her artistry, and how she resists the urge to fit neatly into a single genre. Alison’s work exists somewhere in the space between—part acoustic intimacy, part experimental dreamscape—and it’s this fluidity that makes her music so uniquely her own. This candid exchange opens a new chapter in Alison’s story. Is she the introspective dreamer pouring her heart into every lyric, the bold experimenter unafraid to push boundaries, or something else entirely? One thing is certain—this glimpse into her world reveals layers we’ve never seen before. Read on to discover what truly makes her artistry so compelling.

photo by Elisa Sojo

Hi Alison! Thank you for taking the time to chat with me. You know how it is—you hear a song, and it suddenly pulls emotions out of you that you didn’t even know you were carrying. That’s how “Rhyme or Reason” feels—like it’s saying, “Hey, this is about you too.” This song clearly carries something deeply personal yet universal. What inspired you to write it? Was there a particular moment when you realized this song needed to come to life?

Thank you so much for speaking with me! That’s amazing, it means a lot to me if someone else can hear this song and feel seen. I had gone through a difficult time where I was desperately wringing my brain trying to figure out what the bigger purpose of it was, and could never really pinpoint a specific reason. I realized that’s okay. Ultimately I let go and gave my trust to the universe that everything I’d gone through was part of the plan to make me who I’m supposed to be. In the song I look back at various times in my life where I’d gone through hardships, and tied the message to everything we can’t understand in the moment, but still have faith that it’s to better us, because that’s all we can do.  

Okay, I have to say: “a sad mermaid playing guitar” is probably one of the most vivid and strangely captivating metaphors I’ve ever heard to describe a song. It creates such a specific image that I can’t think of the track without it now. Where did this image come from? Was it something random, or do you actually see yourself as this mythical being in your music?

It’s so funny, I actually didn’t even realize it was giving off an oceanic vibe until after I wrote it and heard everything come together! When I was little I wanted to be a mermaid so maybe subconsciously I channeled it haha. I love to experiment with synths and pads, and these ones fit perfectly and created the ultimate mermaid-dreamscape vibe, which I loved! 

When I first played the song, I felt like I was standing by the edge of the ocean. There’s something so soothing yet melancholic in the sound—like watching a sunset and thinking about all the things you can’t control. How did you manage to capture that feeling? Were there any unusual sounds or techniques you used to create this effect?

I used some beautiful synthesizers and pads to layer over the guitar that just fit into place perfectly. I love ambient sounds because to me they hold so much emotion and really help channel the human experience.

There’s this myth that songs just appear in an artist’s head like ready-made magic. But I feel like it’s not always like that. Every song must have its own story—some come easy, and some take a lot of work. Was “Rhyme or Reason” one of those tracks that just poured out of you, or did it take some effort to bring it to life?

Originally I started writing some other songs on the guitar that just weren’t clicking well. I began writing this one and loved it, especially the melody of the chorus. I wrote it pretty easily on the guitar, and once I began producing it, all of the other pieces came together very intuitively!

Do you think more about your own emotions when you write, or are you always considering how the song will feel for others?

I always write about my own emotions, but understand that others can definitely relate and see themselves. In this song, I do actually almost feel like a fairy godmother giving advice since I’m speaking outwardly haha. I always love to talk with people about life and meaning, so I feel like that is very fitting for me! I do really hope that people can take some good away from this song, and that it can help give them hope they’re not alone. 

You’re from New York City, and it seems like this place has a way of influencing anyone who lives there. It can be a source of inspiration or something that completely drains you. How has New York shaped your music?

Interestingly enough, I’ve always carried the general way that I write music with me through most of my life, just been inspired to experiment with different ways to portray it, though moving to New York City has definitely made me want to keep pushing myself and my boundaries to what is possible! 

Your music, to me, has always defied genres a little bit. It’s not strictly acoustic, but it’s not entirely experimental pop either. You play with textures, with mood, and that’s what makes you so unique. How did you find your style? Was it something you consciously worked toward, or did you just experiment until it felt right?

Creating my style has been super intuitive! I always wrote music within the singer-songwriter structure, and found it very natural to layer on unique sounds and ambience once producing. Once I begin creating a song, everything is crystal clear as to how it should come about and fall into place. It’s going to get weirder in the best way possible – I’ve been listening to a lot of hyperpop and have been so fascinated by different shapes and textures, and want to incorporate more of this into my singer-songwriter music. 

It often appears that an artist creates everything on their own, but in reality, there are always people behind the scenes offering help, support, and guidance. Sometimes just talking to someone can be the key moment. Who was your support system while working on this song?

Moving to New York, I’ve been surrounded by an amazing community of people who constantly uplift one another in their craft. It’s a great environment to be around and continues to inspire me to do my best! 

What are some of the most surprising or touching reactions you’ve received to your music? Have there been moments that made you think, “Yes, this is all worth it”?

It means a lot to me that people have been giving kind feedback about my musical style! I really love blending genres and sounds, and am happy that people are also enjoying my style. I always knew I had strong musical visions in me, and this feedback fuels me to keep creating more and more and exercising this muscle! 

You know, you can listen to a song a hundred times at home with headphones, but it always feels different at a concert. There’s a special kind of magic—seeing the artist live each line right in front of you. And your music feels perfect for such an emotional, even intimate, experience on stage. How do you feel about performing live? Are there show dates lined up for 2025?

I love performing live because it digs up a piece of my personality that is so much fun to express in my music! Next year, I definitely want to do many more performances and work on more music and fun sounds! 

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