Hoboken Headliner: Allison Strong Drops First Album

Hoboken’s Allison Strong is a Union City native, a veteran Broadway performer, and has just released her first album, March Towards the Sun. She just headlined at the Hoboken Arts and Music Festival. And even more remarkably, she’s just a recent college grad.

We caught up with Allison to discuss inspiration, challenges, and upcoming performances.

Patch: How long have you been playing and writing songs?

AS: I started songwriting at seven years old, and by “songwriting,” I mean singing random words to my own melodies. In college, I picked up the guitar and started playing piano again, and my music started to really matter.

Patch: Who do you look to for inspiration?

AS: I’m a fan of Sara Bareilles, Ingrid Michaelson, and Colbie Caillat: all exemplary women who are not only great musicians but also very honest songwriters. I also find tremendous inspiration in Latin music, and have been a fan of Carlos Vives, Juanes, and Shakira since before I could shake my hips.

Patch: Are there any particular challenges you face as such a young performer? As a second generation American?

AS: Being an artist is a challenge at any age, but being a young artist is especially beautiful and scary…I’ve been performing since I was 8, professionally since I was 18 and I still don’t feel like I’ve “arrived” yet. We have to move forward and constantly reinvent ourselves to find our sweet spot and feel creatively fulfilled. Music has been a part of that process for me.

If you had told me my freshman year at Montclair State that I would record my own album, I would have thought you were insane. But lo and behold, I released “March Towards The Sun” on August 31st after two years of labor. It has transformed all of my work, music and beyond.

As for being a second generation American? Being the daughter of Colombian immigrants has only enriched my life. I was raised in Latino-centric Union City, NJ, so escaping my roots wasn’t an option. My album reflects that: a few songs were penned in Spanish, and every show I play has a splash of authentic Latin sabor.

Allison will be performing tomorrow, October 3, on Brave New Radio with William Paterson University’s College Radio Day. Tune in to 88.7 FM at 4pm for the performance and a short interview.

Allison will also be performing at the Artists for World Peace on Broadway 4, Joe’s Pub, NYC at 9:30 PM. The event features an amazing line-up of Broadway performers (including Allison) performing in a benefit for the AFWP charity.