Ep 8. Life is like Putting Together an Outfit ft. singer Alyson Cadena

How do you find the joy and balance in creativity?

Alyson Cadena is a bilingual singer-songwriter and powerhouse vocalist. She started her musical career by accident, when her father gifted her a Groupon for vocal lessons with celebrity vocal coach Craig Derry. What was intended to be a month-long hobby turned into 7 years of intense vocal and industry training alongside Grammy nominees & winners, platinum-selling artists, and Broadway stars. In 2017, Alyson participated in the televised talent competition “Ecuador Tiene Talento”, where she won a gold buzzer from the judges that sent her straight to the semifinals. In 2018, she debuted on Broadway as part of the cast of Rocktopia at the Broadway Theatre. Alyson is focused now on creating her own original music, and merging vulnerable and emotion-driven themes with honest and unfiltered lyrics. She often compares herself to Adele, but if she was a potty-mouth Latina from Queens. Her latest single “Red Flags” is available now on all digital platforms.

Follow Alyson at @alychainz.

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Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:09):

Welcome to the Millennial PhD, a podcast about creative survival and beyond. My name is Dr. Carmella Munio Domani, and I'm a sociologist, dancer and creative consultant from New York. In these episodes, you'll find inspiration, ideas, and actionable tips for building new pathways forward in work and life. You'll hear from artists, activists, creative entrepreneurs, PhDs, and professional pivoters. We talk about radical humanity and practical steps to follow your dreams, even in the context of challenging social conditions. Before we jump into today's episode, a quick reminder to follow the millennial PhD on Instagram. And to please take a minute to rate and a review the millennial PhD on Apple podcasts. Your rating really helps the show reach as many listeners as possible. You can learn more about me and get access to free creative resources on the millennial PhD Instagram page, or@themillennialphd.com. I hope you enjoyed the episode. 

(01:14)
Okay, so welcome back to the millennial PhD, where we've been talking art, creativity, and radical humanity in motion. Today we're talking with Allison Cena, uh, who is a bilingual singer songwriter and powerhouse vocalist. She started her musical career by accident when her father gifted her a group on for vocal lessons with celebrity vocal coach Craig Derry, Uh, when what was intended to be a month-long hobby, turned into seven years of intense vocal and industry training alongside Grammy nominees and winners, platinum selling artists and Broadway stars. In 2017, Allison participated in the televised talent competition, Ecuador DNA DiAlto, where she won a gold buzzer from the judges that sent her straight to the semifinals. In 2018, she debuted on Broadway as part of the cast of r Topia at the Broadway Theater. Allison is focused now on creating her own original music and merging vulnerable and emotion driven themes with honest and unfiltered lyrics. 

(02:17)
She often compares herself to Adel, but if she was a potty mouth Latina from Queens and her latest single Red Flags is available now on all digital platforms. Allison, thank you so much for being here. Hey, thank you for having me. Of course. Um, so I'm especially excited to have you, uh, on this show. We knew each other in college. Uh, we went to Fordham University together. What a <laugh> Go Rams, <laugh>. Um, but we, we haven't seen each other in quite a few years. Um, although I do like Thirstily follow your online content. Oh, thank you. And social media and your music. Um, and I've, I've loved being kind of an outside observer to some of your creative journey, uh, as a singer songwriter. Um, and I remember in college seeing you sing a few times at events or open mics. Um, and the first time was definitely a wow moment because I had had no idea, um, that you had those pipes, <laugh>. 

Speaker 2 (03:17):

Oh, thank. 

Speaker 1 (03:19):

But it does seem like it was maybe more of a hobby at the time, and then in recent years, you've just been doing so much with it. Um, so I wanted to have you on to talk a little bit about your creative journey, um, and what it's been like. Um, I just wrote off some of your accolades, kinda like the cliff notes to your bio. Um, but why don't we start with, can you just tell us a little bit more about yourself? 

Speaker 2 (03:41):

Yeah, sure. Well, you know, I went to Fordham, as you mentioned, and, uh, basically every, like, I've always sang. Um, I've always, like, I knew I had a voice, but I didn't really think it was like that big a deal. I thought it was just something I would do for fun. Um, and in Fordham was when I first started kind of doing it more in public, and I really thought it was one of those things of like, Hey, we need someone for this event we're putting on, and we're just gonna take whatever we have. And you know what, I, I didn't take it as like, people were like, Wow, I'm such a star. It's like, No, we need somebody to fill 15 minutes of time here. So, um, it's crazy to me now that you, that you say that, that, you know, I like wowed you cuz I really thought we were just messing around everybody <laugh>. 

(04:25)
Yeah. Um, but, uh, yeah, so I mean, when I got outta college, I couldn't figure out what I wanted to do. I took some terrible jobs. I took some good jobs and was still horribly unsatisfied. Um, and my dad knew better than I did that, uh, my calling was to be a singer, so he bought me that Groupon for vocal lessons. I thought I was just gonna go, I, you know, you know, on Groupon when it first came out, you, everyone was like, trying everything. So I really thought, like, I thought I was gonna do a month of vocal lessons and the next month I'm gonna take like, sword fighting and then the next month I'm gonna take like Zumba, you know? Right. I thought this was just gonna be some cool thing to do after work. Um, but he knew what he was getting into. 

(05:07)
Uh, and so I got to the class and basically was never allowed to leave until I had, uh, succumbed to the idea that I would be a singer professionally. And since then, I'm just the luckiest person on earth, I think because I've been able to do so many things as an artist. Um, kicking and screaming most of the way <laugh>. I will say <laugh>. Yeah. But, um, yeah, so I got to be on Broadway. I got to, um, perform in e where I got to semifinals and, um, just so many awesome things and now I kind, I, I gave in. I understand that I'm an artist and, uh, I'm just, just trying to learn more every day and, uh, put out new, you know, as much music as I can. 

Speaker 1 (05:51):

Yeah. So, so I feel like so much of what you're saying is resonant. I mean, first of all, it's like a great advertisement for Groupon 

Speaker 2 (05:59):

<laugh>, right? I'm waiting for the sponsorship. 

Speaker 1 (06:01):

Where is that sponsorship? Um, that's the dream, right? Like, that was what it was supposed to be like. Oh, I just end up on Groupon, like never left. Um, so that's legit. Um, Groupon, if you're listening, hit her up. 

Speaker 2 (06:15):

Please. Gotta do <laugh>. 

Speaker 1 (06:18):

That needs to be in the commercial. Um, and then when you're talking about the, the idea, I think so many artists in different genres experience that journey of like, Oh, I'm just doing this, or people are just being nice if, when they invite me, or it's convenience when they invite me to participate in things. Um, but I love that you ended your, your, um, you know, story by yourself by saying, I've accepted now that I'm an artist. Because I do think that's an ongoing kind of, uh, that's part of the struggle and I'm not sure everybody thinks about that piece of it. 

Speaker 2 (06:53):

Um, it definitely is. I think a lot of the artists that I've encountered along the way, they're either completely certain that like, this is what they're meant to do and they're destined for greatness. Or they're like, When are people gonna realize like they're, they're just waiting for like, the shoe to drop of like, I don't think I'm supposed to be here. And it's funny cause I think sometimes those are the most talented ones cuz there's a reason that they're, you know, you're, you're so doubtful, but the reason that you're pursuing it is because everybody and their mom is telling you to do it. Um, so for me, I've just learned to like, just lean into it and like, let's see, everybody can't be wrong. Right? So, um, but I'm having fun with it and I've, I've gotten to do a lot of other things too. Like now it's like, you know what? I'm a terrible actor, but I'm gonna act cuz why not? You know? And then, um, now I'm doing a podcast as well, Songs for the Soul. So it's like, I, I, I just, I don't fight my natural urges anymore to create things and try things because I'm like, you never know. Like, all this stuff I've gotten to do has been pure luck and tons of doubt, but it's worked out so screw it. Let's try <laugh>. 

Speaker 1 (08:02):

Yeah. So when you meet new people now, um, and they ask you like, Oh, so what do you do as we all constantly ask each other, um, for, you know, reasons, Uh, what do you say? How do you respond to that? 

Speaker 2 (08:17):

Um, I say that I work in digital advertising cuz I know I'm, I feel like a lot of artists are scared to say they have a real job. I have a real job and I'm not, I'm not ashamed of it cuz I worked my booty off. So, um, I work in digital advertising and Moonlight is a singer songwriter and actress, and the actress one is new. So it took me a while to get to the point to add that on <laugh>. 

Speaker 1 (08:42):

Nice. First of all, I love that you have your ele your elevator pitch down, right? You've got, you're like, I work in this and I moonlight is this. Um, and I love that piece about adding in that, that actor title as well. Um, cuz I think, think a lot of people go through that experience as they expand how they viewed their, um, I guess their artistic craft or journey. So 

Speaker 2 (09:04):

That's dope. Right. And I feel like I, I do it also intentionally because I've noticed that if you just wear what you do on your forehead, people will kind of give you opportunities. So I'm like, you know what? I really like acting. I'm very new to it, but I've been taking classes and if I wear it on my forehead, maybe someone will need an actor that happens to look like me. You know, it happens to be my type of person. So just, just try it out. Let's see what happens. <laugh>. 

Speaker 1 (09:29):

Yeah. And I do believe like people, if you say what you are and you, you claim these, uh, you know, these genres, like people, people will believe you. It's us. Yeah. I feel like it's often, it's often artists or performing artists who, um, who can hold on to like the limiting belief and say like, Well, I'm not really that, But, um, That's great. Can you talk, talk a little more about, um, kind of how you got to where you are right now and maybe a little bit about where you're hoping to go with music? 

Speaker 2 (10:03):

Sure. Um, well, like I said, it was kicking and screaming the hallway. So I, I'd been in that vocal class, um, under Craig Dairy for seven years, but I've only really started making my own music about three years ago. Um, and it would, I have to like, give all praises to him and the people in that class. It's a group, uh, vocal workshop and there's just people in so many different levels and th their support and like their pushing is what got me to even feel like, Hey, this is a possibility. Cuz I think with a lot of artists, if you didn't grow up around other artists, it's hard to see like, how do you, how do I even do this? Like, yeah, I like to sing about how do you, how do you write a song? How do you record a song? What do you do with it afterward? 

(10:51)
Um, so it was in that class that, like, I met most of the people that I work with now, my producer, uh, my vocal producer, my col like songwriting collaborators. Um, and they just really like, it started with easy things that they would make me perform. Um, because there's, there's always people in there who are like putting together shelves and stuff like that. So they would have me perform at their shows and I'd just do cover stuff. Um, and then he's actually the one who got me on Broadway because he was involved with, uh, the Rock Toia production. He was like, I need a choir. So you're in it, you're in it, you're in it. And like literally got like, I kept saying, No, I'm not gonna do it. I'm not gonna do it. <laugh> just keep yelling at me. He's like, You have to do it <laugh>. 

(11:38)
He's like a 70 year old man and it's hilarious. But, um, so yeah, um, it's just, it just happened little by little, like just them getting me more and more involved and, um, it, it helped me grow in confidence about what I could actually actually do. And even when I first decided to make my own music, I was like, I don't know how to write a song. It was someone in the class who wrote my first single breakthrough. Um, and that in itself encouraged me to song write cuz I was like, you know, it was, it's a good song, but it didn't really match what I was feeling or like the inspiration behind it because who's gonna tell your story better than you can tell your story? So that experience made me feel like, okay, you need to try because you're gonna be unsatisfied if the song is not, you know, matching what you wanna communicate. 

(12:32)
So from then on, it was, okay, that's my new project, I'm gonna learn to write songs and I would collaborate with other people, but it was very much, you know, me and even in, in the production now I'm, I'm helping in the production aspect of being like, you know, actually I don't like that instrument. You're gonna have to change that one out. Or no, I kind of wanna bridge here. You know, So it's, it's been a, a, a ride. I'm still learning every day, but I'm working with people who I think are really invested in, um, in me getting better and in teaching me all the things that they've learned along the way. So that's been cool. And then where do I wanna go with it? Girl, I don't know. 

Speaker 1 (13:07):

<laugh>, I 

Speaker 2 (13:08):

Would, I wish I could tell you that, like, I'm gonna be a superstar. I do not believe that at all. I really don't. I believe, uh, this is just what I'm called to do right now and I'm going to lean into it and ride the wave as long as I can. And wherever it lands is where it lands. Um, but, you know, I think that's also a blessing because I don't, you know, I'm not gonna get disappointed in any way. I don't expect stardom, I just know I'm having fun for now. <laugh>. 

Speaker 1 (13:38):

Yeah. It's really kind of a trick question, <laugh> that that like, where do you wanna go piece is because, um, you know, of course there's so many different things that can happen. Um, I love what you were saying about kind of finding, I love what you said about, um, the arts and a lot of other kind of creative areas being shrouded in mystery for people. Like if you didn't grow up around artists or if it's, if, you know, if it's writing that someone's trying to preserve, somebody wants to like, publish a book that's always really mysterious mm-hmm. <affirmative>, um, uh, definitely pursuing, um, you know, dance, music, acting or any of these, these creative fields can seem, you know, and is really not, not just that it seems, it, it's kind of set up to be, it's a little bit of a maze. Um, and that's part of the kind of purpose of this podcast to talk to different people who are doing, you know, these artistic and creative endeavors that, um, I think they're, you know, a lot of people wanna pursue, but it's <affirmative> mysterious. And I also love what you said about finding, um, an artistic community and mentors, um mm-hmm. <affirmative>, because it sounds like that's been a really huge piece of your trajectory and your journey, um, that you found in that 

Speaker 2 (14:48):

It place 

Speaker 1 (14:49):

And beyond. 

Speaker 2 (14:50):

Mm-hmm. <affirmative>. It definitely has. It's funny because I think I've met people like now that I know better, I've met so many people along the way that could have helped me become an artist sooner, but it was like one person against the world. Like, we have a mutual friend Aquila, who she went out to LA and she was like, I'm gonna be a dancer. And I was like, Wow, she's wild. That's crazy. Like, great for her. And she was always telling me like, You need to come out here and be a singer. I'm like, What are you, like, what would I even do out there? Like, or, um, Kristin Cato, who you might know as well from, from Fordham, she was always telling me like that I should be an actor. And she would always try to, you know, get me to join these, these different groups or, you know, take classes and things. And I'm like, What girl? I'm not an actor. It was, it was not until literally I am one person against a room of 30 professional singers, <laugh>, they were able to to, to get me on board. So it, it is just crazy to think like, the signs have always been there, <laugh>. Like, you just, you ignore 'em for a while and eventually they'll slap you in the face, like, so you can't ignore 'em. <laugh>, 

Speaker 1 (15:58):

I also had no idea, uh, until reading your bio when you sent it to me the other day, that you had been in a Broadway show. Um, what was that experience like and how was it different from, um, I guess the solo recording that you've been doing? 

Speaker 2 (16:15):

That experience to me was wild because I, I am such a Broadway, like fanatic, like I have all my life, loved Broadway, but I, I don't have really like professional, um, Broadway singing technique. And I'm, I've never been a good dancer. Uh, you know, I'm my acting even now with all the classes I'm really not particularly great at it. But, um, it was always a dream of mine. And so, um, my, my mentor Craig der, he got involved with that production and they, they needed the, the whole premise of the show is that it's a mix of classical music, like classical opera music and rock and roll. And so they had all these technical Broadway classical singers and they needed the other element. They needed people who just sing like rock soul music. Um, and so that's when he got involved and, and he needed to put a choir together for that. 

(17:14)
And so we were a bunch of kids from like, you know, like a bunch of New York kids with no professional training outside of Craig's Workshop who sing r and b or, you know, some of them are like rappers even. And now all of a sudden we're like rehearsing with these really polished professional people. And then of course, because Craig being the way he is, he's like, Yeah, you're gonna be the top soprano with all these opera girls. I'm like, What <laugh>, Why, why would you do that to me? Yeah. I'm like, you have so much faith and I mean, I had to do it cuz that's my, that was my part what I was I gonna do <laugh>. But, um, it was, it, I think it's, it was humbling in one way because I'm like, wow, like these people have really, they've been training years and have like degrees in this, You know, these are people who went to college for musical theater or for, for classical voice training. 

(18:17)
But at the same time I'm like, and I'm here with them. So it, it, it, it worked on both sides. I'm like, I, it, it built my confidence and the notion that like, you need to stop assuming barriers because like the opportunities will be there if you let them. Um, but then also like, I don't know, just like celebrate that. Like who would've thought that you'd be here? And I remember like the first day going on stage and I'm looking out at this Broadway theater and I'm like, What? So like, what this is a dream of true. And like, my mom got to go, My mom is such a Broadway nerd too, so she was, she got to go and uh, and and watch us on. It wasn't even the opening, it was, um, one of the previews. And so that to me was just so cool. And yeah, man, I'm like, you can't, you can never say never because the universe will hand it to you if a damn well feels like <laugh>. So 

Speaker 1 (19:21):

I wanna go back, um, to what you said before about having a full time job mm-hmm. <affirmative>. Um, and how sometimes, sometimes people are e either reluctant to mention that, or sometimes I think maybe only mention that and don't talk about their artistic piece. Mm-hmm. <affirmative> kinda, I think both those things happen. Um, but, uh, something that also comes up when I think about that, um, is the fact that we constantly get the message that like, something's only valuable if it's creating income or especially if it's like our main, uh, income creation. Um, and I think that that's, you know, it's a like capitalism rooted idea, um, that it can be really helpful to kind of dispel that and say like, um, obviously it's great to, to make a living off your art if that's what what you want. And, um, it's important to get paid for your artistic labor when you're doing it. Um, but I also think it doesn't have to be, you know, for people especially who are pursuing it for the joy of it. Mm-hmm. <affirmative>, it doesn't have to be, you know, your main income creation piece for it to be real or for it to be valuable. Mm-hmm. So that was really interesting that you were mentioning that. Um, let's talk for a minute about these music videos that you have been <laugh> recording and putting out. Um, how is that process for you, uh, shooting, seeing yourself on video? 

Speaker 2 (20:47):

Um, th that was, uh, not fun at first. That was like, let's take all your, um, all your self consciousness about like, looks and body and, and let's just try to bum rush through them, you know, <laugh>. So it was really hard. Um, I, I definitely had to build up to it. I'm like, if, if, if building up to writing my own songs was hard, building up to music videos was even harder. Um, but I, I mean, I think it's funny cuz in, in this whole creation journey, I am always like so scared to do any of these things. And then once it's done I'm like, Wow, what an amazing experience. And like, like I'm always so proud of like, the work that I do, cause as, as afraid of, as afraid as I might be. I always want it to be like the best music video that's ever come out, ever. 

(21:46)
Right. <laugh>. Yeah. So I feel that, right? It's like, it's like, yes, I'm terrified of it, but it's gonna be amazing one way or another. Um, and so I'm really lucky because one producer that I was working with, Randy Whiskey, he makes his own music videos and he just like taught himself how to, you know, shoot and edit. And so he had done the production on my, my Spanish single Gravity. And he was like, Well, when are we doing the music video? I was like, Huh, excuse me. So he, I mean, he, he did the whole thing. He's like, We could do this in your bedroom. Like, we could do this in a park. He's like, This is real. Like, you don't have to overcomplicate it, you know, don't be afraid of it. But of course I overcomplicate it. I'm like, We're gonna get a fancy studio. 

(22:34)
We're gonna get, uh, a makeup artist and, and nice outfits. And um, and it was a lot of fun. You know, like I I I'm always surrounding myself with people that they, they know how I am and they know how like scared I am of it. And so they're, they're very encouraging. So having Randy there, I had, um, my manager Steve was on site and he was like getting waters and like, you know, running over with extension cords. And, um, my best friend Zubi was doing like, behind the scenes photos. And then even, even down to the makeup artist was my friend's brother, um, who is an amazing, amazing makeup artist. Um, Armando Cole. And he's like 17. He was literally an online school. Cause this was during the pandemic that we shot. He was literally an online school as we're doing this. And he's, um, he's telling me all about like all the amazing th things he's done as a makeup artist since he started pursuing that. 

(23:33)
And I was just like, how encouraging. Like, this kid is 17 and he's like working for magazines and like celebrities and things. So it was just super cool. And then, um, yeah, then, so then my last video, Red Flags, Red Flags is like a little bit sexy. So I'm like, oh god, even worse now we have to make a sexy video. So, uh, the leading man on that video is my friend from acting class, which, uh, Jason Armani Martinez. And he's so talented. So again, it's like I'm always working with like all my favorite people and it just makes for a good experience and they understand my crazy. And, um, yeah. So it's been fun. 

Speaker 1 (24:14):

<laugh>. Yeah. And they, and they look, they look real good too. <laugh>. 

Speaker 2 (24:20):

Um, Thank you. 

Speaker 1 (24:21):

I definitely feel that too when you're as a dancer. Um, it's like, you know, I love to dance and then I've been in projects and then I see it on video and I'm like, Oh, this is deeply uncomfortable <laugh>. But there's still that competitive edge. I think, um, you know, uh, when you're pursuing the arts at a certain level that like you want it to be you, you want it to reflect yourself maybe, or you want it to be really good or like really, you know, you want what you put out there into the world to be, to be strong, Um mm-hmm. <affirmative>. So I hear that for sure. Um, let's talk about your, your social media presence back slash these podcasts, projects that you've been doing. Um, what, tell me, you mentioned one right in your first response that you're doing now mm-hmm. <affirmative>. Um, what is that and, and how did you get started doing it and how has it been for you? 

Speaker 2 (25:18):

Sure. Um, well, I mean, part of being an artist now is that I have to be a little more public, like, a little more out there with my personality and, you know, with my posts and social media and stuff like that. And so people that know me know that I'm just really silly and so, and like, funny and I'll just say like, the things that occurred in my head sometimes don't make sense to other people, but they're hilarious. Um, so they kept telling me like, Oh, you should, you should post like funny videos or you should be a comedian, or you should do this and that. And I was like, um, all of that sounds like difficult, you know what I mean? So like, I'm not gonna suddenly be like an an influencer, you know, those funny influencer videos. Um, so I just started posting my random thoughts and um, that turned into, um, with my best friend, Zubi Ahmed, who is an actual proper comedian. 

(26:14)
Um, what if we just went on Instagram and like every, like once a week just started talking nonsense because we think our conversations are funny, maybe people will like them. Um, and so we started Talk Shit Tuesday, uh, where we would literally just pick a topic and kind of rant, uh, for an hour on Instagram. And people actually really liked it, so that was cool. And we're on hi age right now, but we'll be bringing it back just, it's just good because everyone's enjoying summer and nobody wants to hang out with us on Tuesdays anymore. So, but we'll be back once it gets a little chilly <laugh> once it gets chilly and people don't wanna go outside <laugh>. Um, and then from that, um, I had been doing virtual shows for an organization called Sory that um, is primarily for poets and singers and they used to do live shows pre pandemic. 

(27:05)
And so the, um, the head of Solit Tree, Jose Alisa, he wanted to start doing podcasts and he approached me like, is like, What do you think would be an interesting podcast? I'd like to do it with you. And we threw some, some ideas around. Um, I hadn't hosted anything in like a hundred years. I think the last time I hosted something was just, it was like a karaoke night at Fordham. And again, it's not because I had dreams of being a host, it's cuz we needed someone to host the karaoke. Right. Someone's had to do it. Yeah. Like someone had to, we were in the calf, There was no designated host. All right. I'm on it, you know? Um, and so, but we came up with this idea for Songs for the Soul where we're like, we have such great conversations with artists about like, things beyond just their music. 

(27:55)
You know, like who are they beyond that? And we wanted to find a way to kind of talk about that, um, and how give people like an insight into hey, like, yeah, she's an artist and she's also like really close to her mom. Like let's have her talk about her mom. You know? Um, and so the way we did that is that we get artists, we give them like a list of prompts from everything covering like, uh, a song for your greatest love to, um, a song that breaks your heart to um, what what's your like, uh, oh, I'm drawing a blank on the word of, well, your alter ego, like a song for your alter ego. Um, and people like they love, like the artists that we had, they love it. They, they share so much. You get to know them as people that we've now expanded it to. 

(28:49)
Like why are we only talking to artists? Cause there's so many music lovers, um, or artists beyond just singers. Even like we we're adding poets. Um, we have, uh, writers like, like little like journalists, um, that are, that was literal, not little literal journalists, um, that are, are came on for the second season to share their favorite songs. And, and it's so cool to see how a lot of arts feed into other arts. So like, journalists are humongous music fans and poets like got started in, you know, because they wanted to be rappers or singers got started because they were poets. Um, so it, it's cool to see how all that stuff mixes in and then to hear their personal stories. 

Speaker 1 (29:41):

Yeah. Yeah. What can you say the name of it again? 

Speaker 2 (29:44):

The most? Yeah, that's the songs for the Soul podcast. Songs 

Speaker 1 (29:47):

For the Soul 

Speaker 2 (29:47):

Podcast. Mm-hmm. <affirmative>. Season one is out right now and season two we filmed like half of it so far and it'll be dropping I think sometime in September. I should know the date, but I don't, Mid-September it'll be out <laugh>. 

Speaker 1 (30:01):

It's super dope. Mm-hmm. <affirmative>. Um, so what would you say is a rose and a thorn of pursuing music or pursuing the music industry? So something that you love and something that you don't love so much? 

Speaker 2 (30:16):

Sure. Um, the Rose is that I think it fills a certain need that I, I neglected for a long time. Um, you know, my, like I'm the child of immigrants and I think for a lot of children of immigrants, your parents, they were so focused on like getting ahead and, and making the best life possible for their kids. That usually means financial. And so sometimes we have this idea like, we just gotta grind and grind and grind and, and, you know, I gotta be a lawyer or a doctor or a politician or, you know, some, some big important job that makes a lot of money. Um, and that was really deeply unsatisfying for me. Um, and like I said, I naturally always had something else like in me that I wanted to pursue and I just didn't know how to do that because I didn't grow up believing that that was a possibility. 

(31:15)
Um, Right. And so I, it, it's funny cuz you kind of brought this up earlier about like, I have a job and I'm never ashamed to say that, that, you know, I have a job because there's something that I get from, from that job and that's that financial security and like that fulfillment in my life. But then there's so many things that I meet in other ways and I always, sometimes I get to talk to like younger folks, um, pursuing the arts and I tell 'em like, you gotta think of your life as an outfit and you can spend hundreds of dollars on the best shirt, but if your sneakers are raggedy and like the pants don't match, You know what I mean? What was the point? You look crazy. So I feel like <laugh>, I know I, I'm, so, I have the weirdest like, um, oh, what's the word I'm looking for? Not illusions. Um, like I just have the weirdest analogies, that's the word. I'm 

Speaker 1 (32:09):

Analogies 

Speaker 2 (32:09):

Analog. I was like analogies, there's a word. It's coming to, I have the weirdest analogies to understand things. I love this one. <laugh>. Yeah. I'm like, what was the point of of of buying that Gucci bell if it's holding up, you know, shorts that have a hole in them, you know? So, um, I I, music combined with my job, combined with my family, combined with now being able to pursue acting, um, combined with even the plants I buy for my apartment is like making that like perfect outfit, um, for me. So, um, yeah, it's just, uh, music for me, it, it, it fulfilled that need to be creative, to be vulnerable, um, to be seen, which was new for me to like, kind of call attention to myself be, and like, I have to capture a room, which is so weird because I spend most of my life being really shy. 

(33:05)
So, um, there's that. And then the thorn is that there's just so many, um, misconceptions about what it, it has to be like as an artist that I fight a lot with myself. Like the misconception that you have to do it full time. I tried, oh my God, I, that was the worst mistake of my life. I did a couple months where I was like, I'm gonna be an artist. I was not ready for that. And my paranoia about like financial instability had me singing on the train, blowing out my voice that I'm like, When am I gonna be an artist? Because I don't have any voice left to record a song. I'm here just worried about how I'm gonna pay the phone bill. You know? Um, so it's just fighting all those expectations of like, am I, am I trying to be JLo? No, I don't have to. 

(33:59)
I don't have to expect fame and fortune. Um, do I have to be a certain character to get ahead? You know, there's a lot of people that fall into like, I have to dress a certain way, my music has to sound a certain way because this is what's trending. And for me, I'm like, I have to fight that because I, it would be too much work and too much pressure to try and fit a certain mold. And the things that have worked for me thus far is just being me and just like all the songs I write is not because this is what I think people wanna hear. It's because this is my actual life struggle. You know, This is like what I'm actually doing, dealing with right now. Um, and so yeah, that's, I just have, that's the thorn is like, girl, just, just do what you feel is right and now what everyone's saying you have to do or what you think it's supposed to look like. 

Speaker 1 (34:52):

Thank you so much for sharing. Um, yeah, I feel like, I feel like I definitely connect with some of what you're saying and I, I feel like people listening, um, we'll definitely, you know, hear some of their own story in that. Um, and it's really affirming to, to hear, you know, other people pushing through that whole, the, that whole set of issues. Uh, and also, I just love your clothing analogy. That was, that was beautiful. That was, it was like inspirational <laugh>, I love it. I'm like, Yeah, put together the whole outfit. Like, yeah. So it all, it all fits right, like <laugh>. 

Speaker 2 (35:31):

Thank you. And then I also say, because like for example, there are probably careers that I think might be a little more fulfilling individually. Um, for example, I used to work in hotels and I loved working in hotels and why did I get out of that? Because hotels don't close. And I would be there like 12 hours a day, come on weekends and I'm like the, in the clothing analogy, your pants and your shirt have to match, your shoes have to match. It doesn't matter that they're the nicest. If if your whole outfit is blue and you put on a a green shoe, you look crazy <laugh>. So yeah. So I always think of that too. It's like, okay, this may not, like, individually there's probably a better way to do this, but in the grand scheme of my life, you know, I'm finding the balance. I'm finding what works with what works with each other to give me the best possible like overall outcome. 

Speaker 1 (36:29):

Yeah. Um, so I wanna pivot a little bit just to talk about some kind of like nuts and bolts information, cuz that, you know, we were saying before, um, it's nice for people to hear kind of the logistics about how you get, how you get to, you know, record a song or what it's like to be someone who's, uh, pursuing music and acting regularly. Um, so can you share, um, what does a typical day look like for you right now? 

Speaker 2 (36:59):

Sure. My, I mean my typical day is I go to work, um, <laugh>, that's usually most of it. Yeah. I try to, I think I have to force myself to do a lot of the creative stuff because it's real easy to let it go by the wayside if there's no structure to it. Um, so I, um, it's changed a little in the pandemic now, but I always had a class to go to, whether it was, you know, my voice class or it was, uh, my acting class. I tried to put some structure behind it so that it would kind of keep me accountable, keep me on my toes. Um, so I would usually after work go like three to four times a week to my book, my vocal class, um, twice a week to an acting class. Um, and then because recording music is expensive, I would save, save, save and maybe once a month be able to go into the studio, um, for like, just like three to five hours to record a song. 

(37:58)
Um, but because it's expensive to be in the studio and pay by the hour, I'm making sure before I get in there that we have as much done as possible. So I'd have the, the track ready or I'd have, you know, part of the song already written. So I'm not going in there with like nothing cuz we ain't got time to make it up on the spot. <laugh>, there's no budget for that. You're gonna have to prep. Um, yeah. Um, I collaborate online sometimes, like even pre pandemic, like virtually with my, my co-writers. Um, sometimes I'll get together with them like in their apartment once, sometimes I even got together with them, like at work, like after everyone left, we're gonna use this conference room to try and write together. Um, and yeah, and I mean, once the, the song is done, my job is a little bit done, I just kind of have to wait for the mixing and mastering and then, you know, checking. 

(38:55)
Once I get the final edit, is there something that needs to be changed? And from then I feel like in the song process, what I do after that is, is a lot of just guesswork. Um, and when am I gonna put it out? I don't know. We'll put it out on this date. Why? I don't know, like you try to find answers to it. I don't know. And I'll, I'll make my little cover art myself. I, I do a lot of my graphic stuff by myself because there's no budget, man. You gotta get the app, you get Canva, you whip something up, <laugh>, um, yeah, I'm really bad to, like, again, I always say it's because I, I'm so uncertain. A lot of times I'm really bad at like the marketing part, um, which is sad because I work in marketing, but <laugh>, um, uh, I, uh, I run ads from here, you know, time to time I take a lot of conferences about how, what's best marketing strategy and stuff like that. 

(39:50)
But I, I don't worry too much about that. I think if you make good art, the rest of it will kind of take care of itself. I mean, I'm not saying like hide your art under a rock and hope someone finds it under there, but like, do the best you can as long as you're hosting and, and promoting. It'll, it'll pick up somehow. People will find it, people will share it. People, you know, people that love it. That's the most important part is that the song is good or else, uh, doesn't really matter how you promote it, if it sucks. <laugh>. 

Speaker 1 (40:22):

Um, agreed. Uh, if someone turned to you today and asked you, um, said they wanted to, you know, kind of pursue a, a similar path, uh, as to you in music or they wanted to pursue music in some way, um, what are a few things that you would tell them? Like a few pieces of advice, like from starting from scratch, let's say? 

Speaker 2 (40:47):

I think the best advice I got, I mean, in from, since the beginning and even to now, is just be in the right spaces. Um, because if you're doing it alone, it is very difficult even in terms of like knowing what to do. Um, and there's so many different ways to get started. You can literally just start singing covers on YouTube. You can, you know, start, try to write your own songs, try to record them at home. There's like so much equipment you can get on your own. Um, but to me, the, the overarching thing is if you're around the right people, you'll, you'll have people to guide you, to teach you, to encourage you when the time is. And like I said, I'm just the luckiest sob in the world in a lot of of ways with the things I've gotten to do. But it's because I was in the right space at the right time. 

(41:37)
I, I, I was in a room full of artists who were pursuing it, who get opportunities. Um, and even now, like now that I'm trying to pursue the acting thing, I took an acting class, um, with, it was just like recommended by a friend, but it was with a casting director who casts specifically Latino roles. And he's like, Well, no, his name's Juy Terrero and he's the bomb. And that opens doors in itself because, hey, I would say I don't have a lot of experience. I don't know where to go. I met this guy and whenever he has casting calls, he hits us up, like the people in the class, like, Hey, the can you wanna be on a commercial? Do you wanna be in this? Do you wanna be in that? So, yeah, I mean, the best thing you can do is literally just, just be around the right people and make connections, make like real connections with the people. 

(42:32)
They'll just like stand there and hope that the opportunities bu rush you. But like, actually like talk to them, ask questions, get to know them, support them in the stuff that they do. You know, how many shows I go to of other people's shows, you know, like I would love to just have everybody come to my show and then I could stay home when I'm not working. But that's not realistic, you know, like I, I have to support other people and I'm happy to do it because I'm, there's, you know, I'm, I'm surrounded by so many talented people and I'm rooting for every one of them. But, um, that's, I feel like that's part of the game, that's part of getting ahead is, is is supporting other people so that they'll support you and they'll think of you when they have an opportunity. Stuff like that, you know? 

Speaker 1 (43:16):

Yeah. Yeah. That is important. You gotta show up for people. Mm-hmm. <affirmative>. Um, and I, I also think that's a piece that not everybody thinks of right away when they're trying to break into something new. 

Speaker 2 (43:27):

Mm-hmm. <affirmative>. Um, yeah, they'll, they'll, I feel people push a lot what they're doing or trying to do and like, come on man. Like, we've all had like pushy sales people, so we all know how it feels and I don't know why artists seem to think we're any different. Like, you're still a pushy salesperson even when you're selling yourself. So don't do that. Make real friendships and connections with people. 

Speaker 1 (43:55):

I wanted to ask you, um, I know some people start pursuing music very, very young. Um, I know with dance I always felt, um, and was told to a certain extent that I was super kinda like late to the game. <laugh>. Um, uh, has that been your experience or not so much? Um, how has it, how has it been for you guys starting to focus, really focus on music in your twenties? 

Speaker 2 (44:21):

I used to be really upset about it because in Craig's class it's all ages. So there will be kids, like, there's kids who have been on The Lion King when they were like 10 years old, right. And I'm just, I used to be like a little bit of a hater cause I'm just like, that could have been me. I could have been on Sabado, Beyonce, like, you know, back in the day they don't even have that show anymore. Like the dream is dead. Right? Right. But, um, yeah, so I use to be really upset about it, but now I'm glad because I think first of all, the type of music that I make, I need to be a normal human being. Like I need to be a normal human being. So I could talk about like my normal human being, mistakes that I make. Um, and then too, I think a lot of, um, the work ethic that I bring to music, I don't know that I would've had that if I had started so young. 

(45:20)
I don't like, I think I work hard because I like, that's what I was taught to do in all other avenues of my life, you know? And so this, like, I take music the same way I take my job of like, I have to be the very best, you know, I have to put in all this work. I have to prove myself as if someone is going to promote me tomorrow. Like now you're senior songwriter <laugh>. Like, but um, yeah. And I just don't think without the experiences it had before that, that I would've been the same artist. And I don't think I would've appreciated it because I, as imperfect as my relationship is with music and artistry and all that, I appreciate it because I know what my life was like without it, you know? And if that was all I had ever known, I think I might have felt differently. Maybe I would've been like, something's missing. What a regular life. That's what's missing for me. You know what I mean? I wouldn't have known. So I, I get the best of both worlds this way. 

Speaker 1 (46:24):

Nice. Um, how would you say the pandemic impacted your process and trajectory as an artist? 

Speaker 2 (46:32):

I think it was actually really good for me. I mean, with no, you know, not to downplay what's going on, obviously it's a terrible time and, you know, I, I don't wanna gloss over that, but for, in terms of my artistry, I got into a routine that kept me, Im like, it kept me involved in creating, but it wasn't necessarily the most productive. So going to class four times a week keeps me moving, but ever so slowly, like it would've been a better use of my time to spend more time songwriting. Um, and I think the fact that I couldn't do those things anymore, I couldn't go to my classes. Like everything was kind of shut down. Uh, people, I couldn't go to other people's shows cuz there were no shows to go to. Right. So it was like, I call it creative stalling. Like I was still very much involved in music, but I was stalling the things that I knew I had to get done, which at the time was also to create music because I didn't have a big portfolio of work out there. 

(47:40)
Right. Um, and so it forced me to take some time off of those things and, and reevaluate like, okay, now that I'm home by myself, what can I actually get done? Well you could write a song, you know? Um, and that's what I did. And like my last two singles have came out in the same year, which to me is like, wow, we are ahead of schedule. Cuz usually it takes me like a whole year to get something out <laugh>. Um, so, and even now, like there's a couple songs that I'm already working on that just aren't finished and aren't ready to go out yet, but I'm, I'm, in terms of creating my music, it made me a little more effective, like productive. And now that stuff is opening back up, it's like finding that balance of I do need to train and I, I do like taking classes and I feel like that keeps me sharp, but I can't do that to the detriment of creating actual new content. 

(48:45)
Um, so that's been super good for me. And even the fact that I got to, you know, start doing these like the podcasts or, you know, talk shit Tuesday, it came out of the Pandemic because I was like, well, I gotta get my face out there. You know, like, I, I can't, I'm not doing shows. I'm, you know, I, I need people to know that I'm still here and I'm still, I'm still working. And so that's where those, you know, those ideas came from that time of like, fine, I'll do it because I need to be out here. Um mm-hmm. <affirmative>. So it's been, it's actually been pretty good for, for my artistry. 

Speaker 1 (49:19):

Yeah, absolutely. You're not, and you're not the first person to, to say that. I think, um, despite, or even alongside the massive tragedy, uh, of the last year and a half, I think a lot of people were, who were able to, were kind of forced into a moment of reevaluating mm-hmm. <affirmative>, um, or, you know, even taking a breath from overwork, um, or from whatever routine, uh, we had fallen into. Um, and it's been interesting and fulfilling to see some of the creative projects that people have have put together even within that traumatic context. Um, right. So a lot of people have come out with new digital projects or moved dance classes or their yoga classes online, uh, with all the kind of roses and thorns, <laugh> that go along with that shift. So I definitely hear that. Um, is there anything that I didn't ask you about that you would've wanted to talk about a little bit? 

Speaker 2 (50:27):

Um, 

(50:33)
Hmm. Um, not part, I, I would like to talk a little more about the podcast and that's more on me that I didn't bring it up enough <laugh>, but, um, uh, so songs for the Soul where we're, we're coming back for season two and I just really, we're really making a big push with like the marketing and stuff because we're really loving the conversations that we're having. And, and it's, it's such a hard, um, I think it's hard for us to communicate why this podcast is so special to us and why we're so committed to it. Um, because it started as just like, Oh, well, we wanna kind of promote artists, you know, we just wanna give them another avenue to talk about themselves and, and, and be celebrated. But, um, the conversations that are being had, I think are great for other artists as well. 

(51:30)
And then for, I mean, just in general, like, I think even like this podcast, you know, I wanna thank you for having me on there. When you talk to people a little more in depth, I I think you get to learn a lot. Um mm-hmm. <affirmative>, for example, this season we're gonna have, uh, a good friend of mine named CJ on who he was one of the first people I met in Craig D's class. He is, is an amazing songwriter, uh, artist dancer. And, uh, he was shot in a random act of violence and left quadriplegic. Um, and so those kinds of conversations, if you're an artist, it's amazing to hear how someone deals with that kind of unexpected, um, unexpected life changing event. But then if you're not an artist, I think he also gives a lot of takeaways about life, um, that I think you can appreciate on any level, because he was so, if you knew him before the accident, he was so lazy focused. 

(52:36)
He was one of those people that he knew he was gonna make it. And, um, when I asked him like, How did you, like, how are you able to now share your experience on YouTube? Because he actually does YouTube videos. Um, talking about his life as a paraplegic, talking about his experience as an artist, but then also like, here are my favorite go-to items as a paraplegic that I needed in my everyday life. Um, I was like, How are you, how are you able to like, stay positive and like, share your story now? And he's like, um, well, because one, I was always that way, but then because I had to get over this idea that I was only destined to be a singer, you know? And so, you know, that realization, like I can be a lot of different things and like my life doesn't just begin and end with this one thing. Um, that's the kind of stories that we're trying to share and we're still figuring out <laugh> how to communicate with everybody that like, there's some really special things happening on that podcast. But, so I just, I, I'm like, um, I wanna take a minute and say like, really check out season two. It's gonna be great. But then, uh, season one is up already and, and, and they can take a listen and, and we have great conversations on there as well and they're just getting better every time. So. 

Speaker 1 (53:46):

Yeah. That sounds like a really powerful story. Um, and it also sounds like the project in general, you said you're loving it, having great conversations mm-hmm. <affirmative>. Um, so yeah, that sounds, that sounds amazing and I'm sure the process of making it, um, I know for this one, just like I, I'm, I'm finding inspiration in every conversation that I have. I'm enjoying connecting with people mm-hmm. <affirmative> and I do think that, uh, people listening, just getting to hear different people who are different from them and also people who maybe have some of their shared experiences talking through their trajectory or their journey can be really powerful. And it sounds like that's some of what you all are doing over there as well. Yeah. Through the lens of music, which everybody loves, uh, and is so central to our lives. Um, so it sounds like a super dope project. 

Speaker 2 (54:38):

Thank you. Thank you. And it does, it does have a very similar vibe to like this conversation. Like sometimes you just gotta hear people talk about their lives. Cause uh, everybody has their own experiences and some people have been through things that you're gonna go through next week. It would be nice to have a heads up <laugh>. Mm-hmm. <affirmative>. 

Speaker 1 (54:56):

So if people wanna connect with you or follow you, where can they find you? 

Speaker 2 (55:00):

Um, I am on all the social needs as Ali Chains. A Y C h A I N Z, um, that is my gangster rap name. Once I learned to pick up that skill, <laugh>, 

(55:15)
I still haven't gotten there. Yeah. Any day. I haven't gotten quite there yet, but I'm working on it and I don't wanna lose the handle in the meantime, So <laugh>. Um, but yeah, you can find me there, you can find, um, songs for The Soul has its own, uh, Instagram as well, Songs for the Soul podcast. Um, and then Talk Shit. Tuesday is just on my regular um, Instagram and I have all the links to my music in my Instagram. Uh, I have a website, but it's just there cuz it should be there. Find me on Instagram. I'm more active there. <laugh>, 

Speaker 1 (55:45):

Can we, can I find you on Spotify as well? 

Speaker 2 (55:48):

Oh yeah. So I'm on all the music streaming platforms, even ones I have not heard of. Um, you just look me up as Allison Cena. Yes, <laugh>. I'm like, I always get these emails from my, my distributor, like, you're now live on this thing. I'm like, I have no idea what that is, but thank you <laugh>. I hope it blows up there. <laugh>. 

Speaker 1 (56:07):

Great. So the, those, some of those links will be in the description for this episode as well. Um, thank you again for coming through. It's been so dope talking to you and hearing about your, your journey and catching up a little bit. 

Speaker 2 (56:22):

Thank you. And I, I wanna thank you so much for having me on, but also I was like, I didn't shout out that like, I was so honored when my, um, Gravity song dropped and you and your now fiance did a video to it dancing and I was like, Ugh, I love it. I was like, this is what I was hoping for was to inspire some dance videos. 

Speaker 1 (56:43):

It's a gravity. Um, Pa Chatta remix <laugh>. It was so good. I loved that song. Um, so, and people, you know, if you're listening, you could check that out on Spotify as well. Um, it was so dope. I loved it. Um, so I'm glad you enjoyed our little, our little video that was pandemic. Uh, lack down times as well, 

Speaker 2 (57:06):

<laugh>. Well, I loved it. It was awesome. So 

Speaker 1 (57:09):

Great. Okay, so that's it for today and check us out next week back on the millennial PhD. That's it for this week's episode of the Millennial PhD. You can find more content, resources and information on Instagram at the millennial PhD and@themillennialphd.com in this collective moment of reevaluating our relationships with work and exploitation. I look forward to connecting with you and building stronger bonds of community and collaboration. I would love to hear from you via email at the millennial phd@gmail.com with any feedback, comments, questions, or concerns, or if you're interested in coming on the show as a guest. That's all for now. It's been real. See you next time.