We were lucky to catch up with Alyssa Hankey recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alyssa, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Have you been able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen? Was it like that from day one? If not, what were some of the major steps and milestones and do you think you could have sped up the process somehow knowing what you know now?

I attended college at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, where I studied art and majored in Graphic Design. While in college I really began to craft my songwriting and started to perform live at open mics. After college, I tried doing the 9-5 gig as graphic designer and also being an active musician. I found myself unhappy trying to make time for what I really loved, which was music. I also a string of awful employers with terrible pay. In 2018, I was so fed up with where I was that I came up with a six-month plan. I would book up my calendar with as many shows as I could so I could leave the job. I also decided I would plan my first cross country tour at the end of those six months. The desk and the office felt like a cage. I could make a week’s pay in one night of playing a show. So, in August of 2018 I quit the job and embarked on tour out west with one of my best friends.

It took some time to get my music off the ground. I played a lot of shows and worked some odd part time jobs to get a little extra cash. COVID happened and that was a bit of a setback, but I came back stronger than ever. As of 2022, I have been pretty much a full-time musician. I find myself personally and professionally fulfilled. It’s not perfect and it’s not always an easy road, but I find a lot purpose in what I do. If someone tells me they connected with a song, I know I’m doing something right.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

A traveling troubadour born and raised in the hills of rural western Pennsylvania. Alyssa’s music is unmistakable, with influences that span across many genres. Her lyrics bring you into the heart of the steel mills and the bucolic landscape of rural America.

Raised on country music in a working-class family, Alyssa started playing guitar at the age of twelve and writing songs throughout her high school years. She attended college at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, where she studied fine art and graphic design. While attending college she began performing original songs at local open mic nights. For a few years after college, Hankey worked as a graphic designer and began playing solo acoustic shows on the weekends.

In 2018, she decided to quit her job and pursue music full time. Since then, Alyssa has released various albums and embarked on several cross-country tours. She also formed the Alyssa Hankey Band, a four-piece band that combines folk, country and rock. You can find them playing in and around the Pittsburgh area. Hankey has also shared the stage with artists such as The Clarks, The Steel Wheels, The Wildwoods, Warren Zeiders and Charles Wesley Godwin.

She is currently recording a full-length album set to release in early 2026.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

I think representation is something that drives me. I always say Nashville doesn’t need any more songwriters or wanna be famous artists. The internet has made that method obsolete. Here in western Pennsylvania – northern Appalachia we need more songwriters and artists. We need artists to write about our corner of the world and our experiences that are overlooked. We all have a story that is valid. I think it’s also important to show young girls that they can do what I do. Music is a male dominated business and a woman’s voice needs to be heard.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

Asking for help is a big one for me.
I used to try to do everything myself. As an independent artist you wear many hats. Booking agent, roadie, graphic design, social media, producer, songwriter, etc. I tried to self-produce my own album a few years back and it was way too big of an undertaking. I didn’t know what I was doing and released it anyway. The production was terrible, and I ended up taking it down. It’s best to admit what your strengths and weaknesses are. There are plenty of talented producers in the area that could’ve happened. I was (and still am) a hardheaded woman, but I am much better at knowing what I can and can’t do.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://alyssahankey.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alyssahankey
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alyssahankeymusic/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@alyssahankey2738