Alayna
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Alayna

Nashville, Tennessee, United States | Established. Jan 01, 2014 | SELF

Nashville, Tennessee, United States | SELF
Established on Jan, 2014
Band Country Pop

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Music

The best kept secret in music

Press


"CD Review - "Top of a Dream""

Alayna
Top of a Dream
(Self-released)

Debut EP from Pittsburgh-born, Nashville-dwelling country-pop singer Alayna. It's a good sample of her abilities as a singer and writer: a rocker here, a ballad there, and so on. A lot of folks are doing pop-country these days — it's a goldmine if it works out for you, of course — but Alayna's debut shows next-level talent. An above-average songwriter with a great voice who's found a good band in Nashville to back her up? We'll keep close tabs on this one. - Pittsburgh City Paper


"Butler Native Releases First CD"

BUTLER, Pa. — Some performers sing songs on stage. Others make you feel something through the craft of their music. Butler County native Alayna shows that she is part of the latter in her just released CD, "Top of a Dream."
The 2007 Butler Area High School and Westminster College Music Program graduate recently moved to Nashville to pursue her dream of making it big in the music business. But to her, music is more of a passion than a job, and it's proven to be an emotional outlet that she uses to her strengths in her new CD release.
Alayna Carroll wrote all but one of the songs on the CD, now available on iTunes and CD Baby, and the country-pop singer shows a number of styles and ranges, and manages to deliver on all of them.
The title track kicks off the CD. Top of a Dream is her message "to people who used to hang dark clouds over my head." Co-written by the writer of Blake Shelton's number one song "Austin," this Dream is a song about pushing through the obstacles that people put in front of you to make it to your goals. The lyrics are smartly woven through minor chords that build to a vocal crescendo that makes you feel what she felt while overcoming what was in her way, ending in a change to a major chord at the end line "because it's so different now from the top of a dream," which highlights her triumph. You can almost sense a vibe of Amy Lee of Evanescence in the song.
The second song is the one Alayna pegged to be her first single release, "Let's Get Outta Here Tonight." It's one of two songs Sara Zebley of the local band Girls With Black Hats contributed on the CD. It's a catchy, fun song about instant attraction, and keeps you moving through it by subtly changing a line in the chorus to keep moving the lyric story forward.
Alayna shines the most on the third track, "Gonna Love You Anyway." It's a very Martina McBride kind of song, but in this case, it's better that Alayna sings it. Martina McBride would probably almost sound too polished on the song, and Alayna's raw emotion in the chorus makes you feel what she felt sending a message to someone who said careless, hurtful words to her, but who she still cared about. Think Taylor Swift writing a song about someone she broke up with, except with much more depth lyrically and musically.
The pace picks back up with "So Far No Good," probably the most traditionally country sounding track on the CD. The upbeat song's hook is enough to have you singing along the rest of the day, and has some hit potential.
You learn a lot more about Alayna in "Daddy's Blue Eyes." At a recent performance at David's Music House in McMurray, she referred to it as 'her story.' In her liner notes, she calls it a confession about a relationship that had to end. In the song you can sense the longing for a father she didn't know, but who she is constantly reminded of because of her eyes. At times you can hear the little girl in her voice, and at other times she lets the emotion pour out to remind you that she's now a woman who still feels the pain from that childhood. The decision to keep this song acoustic was the right one, to keep the showcase on Alayna's vocals.
Wrapping up the CD is "Sweet Lies," written by Sara Zebley. This song shows that Alayna can also rock with the best of them, and this one could be the biggest hit on the CD with an easy to remember chorus. The organ reminds you of the Hammond B-3 sound bands like Journey used to use in the 70s, yet the fiddle brings it up to today’s country.
From start to finish, this local artist delivers, and is definitely worthy of checking out and downloading. And if she stays on this path, she should be on "Top of a Dream" in no time. - Dean Iampietro


"Future Country Star: Alayna"

There are always new country artists working hard at their big breaks.

One of those singers and songwriters is Alayna. She’s living down in Nashville right now working on songs and building up her status so that she can one day rock the big stages at fairs and festivals. She has big country dreams and there seems to be the talent there to one day get a song or two on the radio.

From the sounds of her songs it is evident there is real life in Alayna. What I mean by that is she sings about love and life as if she’s actually had some difficult experiences. These experiences are what give real stars the conviction in their voices that allow people to connect. That’s where the power of song and music comes together for artists and fans.

Alayna has a genuine sound and I’m sure she’ll find a growing fanbase over the next few years.

Future Country Star: Alayna
There are definitely some pop influences in Alayna’s voice. In her bio she says she grew up listening to all kinds of music. She’s looking to bring this unique musical background to the country world.

Alayna grew up in Pennsylvania. She has a background playing piano and now also plays the guitar. According to her bio, it seems she’s been through some difficult experiences. Childhood isn’t always fair, but for those that can make it through it can provide power and strength for those moments when life gets difficult.

And a few sad moments also make for some great country songs. I think it was Miranda Lambert that said she loves being a bad mood because she can really let her emotions get out through her songs. I’m sure other artists feel the same way and perhaps that’s what it’s like for Alayna.

Alayna has been writing lyrics and songs since she was twelve years old. That’s a long time for anybody to have experience with writing. Often, we think artists come out of nowhere to become stars, but the way it almost always works is for artists to struggle and struggle for years and years before they even get a glimpse of success. And things might not even work out the first time around. There are plenty of country stars that didn’t even get their big break until they were in their 30s. And most of those folks were working on their careers since they were in their teens as well.

Hopefully Alayna won’t have to wait quite that long for her career to take off. She’s living down in Nashville, playing shows, and working on songs. I’m sure as she continues to improve her craft she’ll begin building a fanbase and interest with some record labels.

From listening to her music there is no doubt the talent is there.

Songs
Now, the most important aspects with any budding country artist are their songs.

I’ve been listening to the songs Alayna has posted on Reverbnation, Facebook, and YouTube. This girl has some great tunes. They’re about love, life, and all the things that can happen to a young adult. There is emotion, passion, and some good music.

With any songwriter or singer I always listen for melodies. I listen for hooks in the song that the folks in the audience can sing. There is definitely some of that with Alayna. She has an ear for melody. That’s crucial. There are some good choruses and some passionate singing.

You’ll have to check out the tracks:

What’s Love
Cautious Heart
Let’s Get Outta Here Tonight
There are a few ballads, but also some upbeat stuff. I’m always looking for some upbeat tunes from new artists. It seems something new artists do is lean toward ballads. I don’t know if they’re easier to write, but when they find a song that’s upbeat and snappy there is a better chance of finding an audience. People seem to be more open to a new song and new artist when the melody is light and easy to sing along with.

Alayna seems to be on the right path to finding success in country music. It could just be a matter of more hard work, more songwriting, and perhaps a lucky break or two before we hear her on country radio.

For more information and to stay up to date on the latest with Alayna check out her official website at www.alaynasmusic.com. - Countrymusiclife.com,18 October 2011


"About Alayna's Songs"

"Alayna sings and writes songs with a rare and refreshing honesty that few artists are ever willing to share."
-Vinny Ribas, Founder and CEO of Indie Connect in Nashville, TN

"Alayna's music has a unique quality that I refer to as a 'polished rawness'. It's a very cool and natural sound!"
-Brian Sanders, owner/engineer of Sound-Mine Studio in Sewickley, PA - Quotes


"About Alayna"

"I first heard Alayna's music at an IndieConnect event and was instantly impressed by the depth of her songwriting and power of her voice."
-Jeff Syracuse, BMI Account Manager

"Gifted singer and deeply talent songwriter, Alayna weaves every ounce of her experience into songs that everyone can enjoy and relate to. Alayna IS the Real Thing."
-Nancy Deckant, NSAI Regional Coordinator, Pittsburgh

"What I most admire in Alayna is that she's not only a talented songwriter and powerful singer, she's a true professional in how she handles her music, her self and her growing career."
-Steve Grossman, author ("Why I Failed In the Music Business"), speaker, and musician coach - Quotes/Testimonials


"About Alayna"

"I first heard Alayna's music at an IndieConnect event and was instantly impressed by the depth of her songwriting and power of her voice."
-Jeff Syracuse, BMI Account Manager

"Gifted singer and deeply talent songwriter, Alayna weaves every ounce of her experience into songs that everyone can enjoy and relate to. Alayna IS the Real Thing."
-Nancy Deckant, NSAI Regional Coordinator, Pittsburgh

"What I most admire in Alayna is that she's not only a talented songwriter and powerful singer, she's a true professional in how she handles her music, her self and her growing career."
-Steve Grossman, author ("Why I Failed In the Music Business"), speaker, and musician coach - Quotes/Testimonials


Discography

EP - Top of a Dream (2012)
Alayna

1. Top of a Dream
2. Let's Get Outta Here Tonight
3. Gonna Love You Anyway
4. So Far No Good
5. Daddy's Blue Eyes
6. Sweet Lies

Photos

Bio

    Alayna left the small town of Butler, Pennsylvania in the summer of 2011 with nothing but herself and a carload of a few necessities, including her Breedlove guitar, to pursue her lifelong dream of becoming a recording artist and songwriter of note. In just a few years time Alayna would be writing with hit songwriters such as Steve Dean (“Watching You” for Rodney Atkins), Jeffrey East and Kirsti Manna (“Austin” for Blake Shelton) playing well-known venues like Bluebird Cafe and Nissan Stadium. In 2012, Alayna received an endorsement from her favorite guitar company, Breedlove. Alayna’s fan-funded EP "The Wrong Side" was released in May 2015 and charted at #30 on the iTunes UK Country charts.

    Alayna wrote her first song at age 12. A few years later she learned the new talent she could craft. During this time, she taught herself to play guitar and kept up with regular piano lessons.


Here are a few of her career highlights:  


2018 - Accepted into the Smoky Mountain Songwriters Festival; Invited to join the PSA (Public School Ambassador) National Tour; 4th consecutive year performing at The National Cornbread Festival; current Patreon page has nearly 30 members


2017 - Named a Country Music Association (CMA) Emerging Artist; Performed at Nissan Stadium in Nashville; Released second fan-funded EP “Wicked City”; Performed during & had artist booth at CMA Fest


2016 - Awarded “Co-Writer of the Year” by TSAI; Performed at Pensacola Beach Songwriters Festival


2015 - Fan-funded EP “The Wrong Side” released & sells in 35 US states & 12 countries; EP charts at #30 on the iTunes UK country charts; Standing-room only EP Release Party; Won a Keith Urban YouTube cover contest & awarded a signed Urban electric guitar, Awarded “Female Songwriter of the Year” & “Song Cut of the Year” by TSAI; Performed at Pensacola Beach Songwriters Festival


2014 - Awarded “Female Songwriter of the Year”, “Songwriter of the Year”, “Song of the Year” and “Co-writers of the Year” by TSAI; Performed at Sunbelt AG Expo (largest farm show in the SE), & TN State Fair; Endorsed by Fancy Guitar Capos 


2013 - Awarded “Female Songwriter of the Year” by Tennessee Songwriters Association International (TSAI); Christmas 4 Kids Bus Tour 


To date, Alayna has over 1 million YouTube views & 19 independent cuts. 

Band Members