Country Next: Alyssa Micaela

Alyssa Micaela has all of the talent, drive, and sass to become country music’s next big star, and she’s proving that with every step she makes.

Hailing from Odessa, Texas, the charmingly witty country singer/songwriter began nurturing her love of music early on, participating in after-school music programs as a child. In high school, she received an opportunity to visit Nashville, where she met and became friends with Grammy Award-Winning songwriter Liz Rose (Taylor Swift, Little Big Town).

“By the grace of God, [Liz] agreed to meet me and start writing songs. By high school, I was making regular trips to write and absolutely fell in love with it,” Micaela says of meeting Rose in her bio, posted on her official website.

By 2011, Micaela was calling Nashville home and pursuing music full-time. Years later, she signed her first-ever publishing deal at Liz Rose Music and an artist deal with booking agency CAA. After releasing her 2017 debut EP, Cowboys Like That, and a handful of songs including “Getaway Car,” “Cowboys Like That,” “Tumbleweed,” “Mad Love,” and “Tie Dye,” the rising star is out with her fun-loving single, “Hell in a Handbag.”

A tongue-in-cheek tune, “Hell in a Handbag,” pays tribute to all of the unexpected items women tend to carry in their handbag, for example, a borrowed “lighter,” a “can of dry shampoo,” and a “flask full of Titos.” Already, the track is becoming a fan favorite. Before Micaela released “Hell in a Handbag,” she posted a teaser clip of the tune via TikTok, racking up over 2.3 million views.

Micaela, who has opened for artists like Willie Nelson, Sam Hunt, Eli Young Band, and Aaron Watson, recently caught up with Country Now to discuss her journey in music, latest single, “Hell in a Handbag,” upcoming projects, and more.

Read on to find out more about Alyssa Micaela in this exclusive Q & A below!

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Alyssa Micaela (@alyssamicaelamusic)

What led you to want to pursue a career in country music?

I grew up in Odessa, TX, and at first, I was a super shy kid. My mom put me in an after-school music program, and once I started singing, I really started coming out of my shell and finding my confidence through music. I always loved country music, and when I was 15, my mom and I came to Nashville, and I met Liz Rose. I started making writing trips to Nashville, and Liz helped me get co-writes when I was in high school. From there, it just kinda developed into a publishing deal when I moved to town!

Who are your biggest musical influences?

Miranda Lambert, Linda Ronstadt, Selena

Any particular singer or songwriter that you’d want to pattern your career after?

Miranda Lambert has done everything I would ever dream of doing!

For those just getting to know you, how would you describe your sound?

Country music that’s classy, sassy, and a little smart a**y.

How did your latest single, “Hell in a Handbag,” come about?

I literally just decided to write a song about all the crazy sh*t I found in my purse, and when I brought the idea to two of my friends, they were down to write it!

We’ve seen the visualizer for “Hell in a Handbag.” Can we expect a music video soon? If so, what will be the concept behind it?

I think this song is so literal that you don’t even need to paint a picture of it. I love the video we shot in the studio. It shows off how much fun and how many laughs went into recording this song.

How does “Hell in a Handbag” prepare you for what’s to come, musically? Will this song be featured on an upcoming album or EP?

I’m working on my debut full-length album, and you better believe this one’s on it. Stay tuned!

How would you say you’ve grown as an artist since moving to Nashville in 2011 and finding your way in songwriting circles?

I’m so confident in the songs I’ve been writing, and I’m so grateful to Nashville for the connections I’ve made here. Your co-writers sometimes become your best friends in this business, and I couldn’t have made this music without them!

Is there anything fans don’t know about you that you wish they did?

If there’s something you don’t know, it’s probably better we keep it that way!! I’ve probably said everything else on Instagram.

What do you hope people will take away from your music?

After listening to my music, I want people to feel like they know me and that I’m someone they’d want to become friends with!

What does the rest of 2021 look like for you?

I’m finishing recording for my first album and writing songs for the next one! I’m also working on a plan to get back out on the road and hope to be playing a lot of shows next year!

Fans can follow Alyssa Michaela on Instagram.