If you have yet to hear about Alysha, it’s time to get familiar. Hailing from St Johns Wood in North West London, a place that bleeds, breathes, and sleeps music, the singer-songwriter creates her own feel-good version of pop, soul, alternative, and R&B.

“There are so many aspects for me. I’m inspired by my roots, as well as being a Christian, as well as all the beliefs I have and all the different things I like. For example, I like Hello Kitty, all these different aesthetics. I’m a different blend of literally everything and everyone,” she states with a laugh.

Inspired directly by the greats, from Sade to Amy Winehouse to Nirvana, Alysha began songwriting at the young age of 10, all while playing guitar, piano and the drums. With lyrics inspired directly by her experiences growing up in her hometown, Alysha writes from her heart, injecting emotion and excitement into each release.

Most recently, she released her newest single titled “Sugar Sweet,” reminding listeners of that exciting moment when you start to like someone and love is in the air. When she’s not making music, she’s probably doing photo shoots or collaborating with brands such as River Island, Juicy Couture, and Boux Avenue.

Flaunt caught up with Alysha via Zoom, who had just moved into her new place in London. Read below as we discuss her upbringing, her melting pot of sounds, new single “Sugar Sweet,” her favorite look from the video, studio essentials, what she wants fans to take from her music, being independent, her forthcoming EP, doing festivals, modeling, goals, and more!

What was a young Alysha like growing up in Saint John Woods?

Growing up there was so calm. Growing up in London was so fun. It was just easy to get everywhere, it’s great to walk around in. I can’t really compare it because I haven’t really grown up anywhere else. I think I had a pretty good time growing up in London.

When did you realize you wanted to do music?

Since I heard it in my house, my mom played a bunch of music. It sounded really good to me so I started singing it and writing songs. Because I heard people doing it on my mom’s phone, so… [laughs]

How would you describe your sound?

I honestly cannot tell you. It's all over the place. There’s so many different genres blended into one person. For example, I have a neo-soul gospel song that’s yet to come out. I have a pop song like “Sugar Sweet” that recently came out, but then I have a R&B song. A lot of R&B songs to be honest. It’s everything I like and enjoy, and I make that basically.

You just released “Sugar Sweet,” who or what inspired this record?

Basically I liked a friend of mine, and my friend liked him too. In the lyrics, you can hear me say “You could still be my main, my friend feels the same.” I’m referring to both of them speaking to one another a lot. That day we were playing around with neo-soul chords, then we ended up making a pop song with neo-soul chords. That was pretty fun.

Was that something different for you?

Yeah it was, because normally I make a lot of R&B. When I made that song, it made me want to open up and make so much more than R&B. I don’t want to stick to one genre, you know?

What do you want fans to get from the record?

I want them to be able to dance and move around to it, maybe even relate.

What was your creative vision with the visual?

Bubble gum and different color schemes. If you watch the video, you’ll see that it has different colors, backgrounds, outfits and different looks that are completely different from one another. In my head, that’s what the song sounded like so I told that to the director. He said “yeah, same for me too.” We collaborated on the idea and it came to life, that was pretty cool.

Best memory from shooting the visual?

Wearing the outfits. I remember trying on the outfits in the beginning and being like “damn! I have to wear this outfit, this one and this one.” Putting on the fake nails and stuff, that was so sick.

What was your favorite outfit?

It was this denim top and skirt, with these massive, massive boots that made me 6’1” or something. The thing is the boots are my boots, so I brought them along that day thinking “oh yeah, they probably won’t want to use them.” Then we ended up using it for the first look. These massive boots, they’re white and they’re furry. They’re so cool. That was my favorite look, I loved it. I felt like a BRATZ doll.

What is it that you want fans to get from your story?

I want people to be able to relate to me, understand me. I want to have a relationship with them.

3 things you need in the studio at all times?

A glass of water, my Notes app on my phone. A third thing would have to be… oh shoot, maybe some food? In case I get hungry. [laughs]

What kind of food?

It really depends on the day. Sometimes—a lot of the time I can’t lie, I crave Indian food. But it’s because I’m half-Indian, I have to eat it. It’s one of those things. [laughs]

How does it feel to be performing festivals?

Oh my gosh, it feels amazing. I can’t believe I’m back here performing back here in London, things are open. It’s insane to me because we were locked down a year and a half now, everything was closed. I thought “oh shoot, I don’t know when I’m going to perform again.” Now, I’m playing Ipswich festival on October 2nd. That’s my next one. I’m really happy because it’s a bunch of artists I know playing, that’s going to be so fun. I’m super excited about it, can’t wait to get back.

How does it feel to be on stage performing your songs?

To be honest with you, I’m gone after the first song. I don’t remember anything. I just see myself dancing around the stage and doing God knows what, just singing. I’m in my own world at that point, you know? I’m in my bubble.

How’s the independent grind?

It’s pretty alright for now. I’d like to get signed eventually. But for now, it’s pretty okay. I don’t see any problems right this second. I’d like to eventually be signed but for right now, I’m doing all this stuff by myself which is amazing. So I don’t see why I need to be signed at this very second.

What do you like to do for fun?

I like to read books. I like to go out with my friends for a night out. I like to go for really long walks and listen to music. It’s an addiction of mine, I do it everyday.

Who are you listening to?

Doja Cat. Oh my gosh, I love that album Planet Her. It’s insane. I’ve been listening to a lot of PinkPantheress as well, she’s sick as well. Completely different from my style but you know, that’s where I get my inspo.

What can we expect from your sophomore EP?

I’m actually writing it from a religious, faith point of view. I’m super excited for this one. It’s more neo-soul, more gospel inspired.

Anyone you want to collab with?

I’m in talks with people right now about collabing. I’d love to collab with everyone who I respect. Not a specific person, just anyone I listen to that’s sick and I respect their work. I’d love love love to collab with them.

Was modeling always in the books as well?

No, it was always music. I just got scouted one day and said, “why not?”

It just happened like that?

Yeah literally. I started to do that for a whole year. I’ve always loved music so I always did music, but I’ve always called myself a singer first. Singer-songwriter for sure.

Any goals for yourself at this point in your career?

My goal is try to get out there and get gigs, do festivals. Do as much as I can right now because I don’t know when the next lockdown will be. Get my name more out there so more people can hear of me, know of me and my music.

Anything else you want people to know?

I’m working on a lot of stuff. I have a bunch of singles coming out, which I’m super stoked about. They’re all so different from one another. I’m super excited about all the music that’s about to come out.