Today we’d like to introduce you to ALYK.
Hi ALYK, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
SO to start at the beginning, I’m from central New Jersey where I come from a huge very close New York Italian family. They got me my first guitar and keyboard, stood outside my bedroom door while I wrote my first songs (I wouldn’t let them in) lol and they always encouraged me to chase my dreams. But, I was a realistic kid and I always said noooo its just a hobby only 1% makes it and I’m not good enough for that. Everyone believed in me besides myself. I put my dreams on the shelf, writing songs in silence, pushing down what I always wanted. I was bullied pretty badly in school growing up, they used to pull up my youtube videos and laugh at me, tell me I would never amount to anything, threaten me, a girl even tried to hit me with her car. I pushed through using music as my escape until I could finally get out. At 18 I spread my lil wings to fly and moved down to Florida to find myself. Pursuing music wasn’t even a thought for me because I told myself for so so many years that I couldn’t. Until one day, I was on my balcony having a smoke, and thought to myself… wait… why the fuck not? Why can’t it be me? I always thought I wouldn’t be successful but what really defines success? If I just go for it and make the music I’ve always wanted to make and I’m happy, that’s success enough. After that moment clicked for me, everything changed. That was only 2 years ago but I have put absolutely everything I have into this since that moment. I’m happy for little me, because I know she would think I’m so cool now haha. Everyone believed in me but me, and thats what was missing, me believing in myself. And now, I do and I have never been happier.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely has not been a smooth road. I didn’t have anyone to hold my hand through the bumps and tell me how hard the journey would be. Being a woman pursuing music you go through a lot of struggles. First is the men musicians that say, “well you’re lucky, you’ll make it because you’re pretty, it’s a cheat code all you have to do is be hot on camera and your music will blow up.” Which is the most insane take ever haha completely discrediting the hard work it takes. And let me tell you, being a woman, being “hot” does not equal good music and hard work, it does not work like that. Second is the music industry professionals that try to take advantage of me because I am a young girl doing this for the first time. I’m my first and last line of defense so it is up to me to navigate all of these tricky interactions.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I started off making pop music, but slowly navigated to the alternative, rock, even pop-metal type of vibe. I write my songs either on my own or usually with my producer Jacob Bates. He helps me get out of my comfort zone and we make a really great team bouncing ideas off each other. What sets me apart is I refuse to be put into a box, I refuse to follow rules, and I refuse to let the world tear me down. I’m most proud of my upcoming opportunity to play a huge festival. I was chosen out of thousands of applicants after only playing 7 shows and that is just so so surreal to me.
How do you think about luck?
I believe I am the luckiest girl in the world. I work hard and my determination is what brings my opportunities but I am lucky in so many other ways. I am lucky to have my amazing family and support system that would fight tooth and nail for me and my dreams. I am lucky to have an amazing band, amazing team, amazing fans. I am the luckiest girl in the world. As far as bad luck… I have certainly gone through my fair share. I was in a terrible accident a few years ago that left me with a TBI and permanent damage that affects me daily. BUT nevertheless, let bad luck never find me again lol.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/alykofficial
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alykofficial/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ALYKofficial
- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/343OP8rVw7bFEvhjbrarZ7
- Other: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/alyk/1726633978
Image Credits
Abby Nicole
Sebastian James Josepha
Takes Two Studios
