Conversations with Alpha Fisher

Today we’d like to introduce you to Alpha Fisher.

Hi Alpha, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
I am a singer/songwriter based in Colorado Springs and I sing mostly folk music. Often, because I’m black, I get told “Oh, you mean neo-soul.” Nope! I mean folk. I love music that is introspective and word-heavy and MAN, does folk music have that. I have been singing ever since I was a kiddo. My dad says he realized it was my calling when I was 3.

He says “We were at a barbershop and Whitney Houston’s version of “I Will Always Love You” came on. You started singing and when she got to the big note, you just belted it. I remember looking around at everyone and they were just staring at you. No one was moving. I’ll never forget that.” I always knew I wanted to sing but it was hard to do. My parents wanted me to have a fallback plan (rightfully so. It’s hard out here in these streets, fam) and I didn’t know what that would be. Everything I did was done with the mindset that it was to support my art (I did a bad job for a long time. My job history is ridiculous).

When I turned 23, I started performing at local venues and learned quickly that I was going to be misunderstood. See, I was stuck on all the cool videos of Etta James, Rufus Wainwright, Regina Spektor, and other artists that were lyrically heavy. People wanted to hear their stories and REALLY listen to their music. I would start by telling a little story before each song and people did NOT CARE. Not only did they not care to hear my stories but, rightfully so, they didn’t understand what I was doing there. There were people booking gigs who saw me, liked my music, and put me on bills for rappers and metal heads. Yes, I often was put on bills with metal heads (I never got a big response but did I find out A LOT of them dug my sound and what I had to say).

I had to push to earn a spot in the Colorado Springs music scene. in 2020 when the pandemic hit, I was already having a hard time writing and finding gigs. I got booked for virtual gigs which were cool but it was also the height of the Black Lives Matter movement. No, this shouldn’t be involved in what I’m writing or even matter but, virtual gigs were packed full of being reminded of it (I don’t know if you’re aware of this but, I’m black. Yes, I’m being funny). One person who booked me said ” With all of the Black Lives Matter stuff going on, I wanted to make sure a black artist was given space and access to the mic. I wanted to reach out to you because you’re the best black artist I know of here.” I was feeling completely blocked and was severely lacking in inspiration.

I will say this until my last breath, thank GOD for Bo Burnham’s Inside stand-up. I watched it and felt incredibly inspired. I watched it every day at least twice. I realized that what he was doing was some of what I wanted to do: Speak on what was going on in the world through dark comedy and song. I realized that I had to change how I expressed myself. I started standing instead of sitting and I started I was able to step into my personality on stage and express it to my audience.

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?
Performing when I started was super smooth because I had a shock factor. I didn’t realize that people were starting to get to know me over time and were no longer amazed by bold vocals.

After about two months I had an audience that was aware of what I could do vocally and they were saying with their attention spans “Ok cool. We know already. What now.” I had to work on being more transparent about my work and I also had to open up to people a lot to be seen.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a singer/songwriter and I focus on folk music. I try to create a space when performing. I tell myself “This is your stage. Bring your audience up there” and then I create a set list, and find out how much it works with the vibe of the audience in the venue at the time I’m there.

I spend so much time walking around and feeling everyone out. I adjust how I’m going to express my music based on what it feels like people in the room need that evening.

Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
Oh man, luck has played a HUGE role, I think. I’m incredibly optimistic because I am VERY aware of the fact that we all make mistakes. I make them often and sometimes it takes me longer than many people to grasp an idea or what’s going on.

I have a personal saying: “I don’t always get my way but I always get what I want.” I’m incredibly patient and because I understand that we all experience life as it’s happening, I don’t take it personally if people can’t give me what they’ve promised or if it takes a little longer than I was promised.

More often than not, I am given an incredible amount of grace and often, I find myself in better situations because people realize I’m not out to take from them, I think. They realize I want us both to enjoy the experience and as a result, I get a lot of wonderful opportunities.

Pricing:

• 30 minute performance: $100
• 45 minute performance: $120
• 1 hour performance: $275
• 1+ hour performance: $450

Contact Info:

• Instagram: www.instagram.com/alpha_the_musical
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/alphathemusical
• SoundCloud: www.soundcloud.com/alphathemusical

Image Credits
Broken Glass Photography, Ariel Crawford Photography, Gillian Marie Photography