Hey Alana! You recently released your debut album, Twentysomething. Tell me a bit about your songwriting process?

Songwriting has always been my first love. I started writing when I was nine years old, and it's the only way I can truly express myself. Sometimes I can say things in music that I can't even say to my closest friends and family.

Usually, it starts with a melody. I'll be going about my day and suddenly I'll get this feeling that I need to sit down and play. I'll start humming and mumbling, and a lot of times that's where the titles or lyrics come from. Sometimes it starts with a story or something I'm going through, but I'm mostly melody-driven.

It seems like there's a lot of trust and vulnerability involved in songwriting.

Absolutely. There's a safety blanket of acceptance in those rooms. I've been able to be more honest with my co-writers than with anyone else. It's a therapeutic experience, and it's where I can truly be myself.

How do you choose who to collaborate with?

I've found my songwriting squad in Nashville and LA. When you find those people who feel like family, you can be honest and vulnerable, and that's when the best songs come out. I'm constantly texting with them, sending ideas back and forth, and when we get in the room, I usually know what feels right.

You've co-written with some impressive names, including Liz Rose, known for her work with Taylor Swift. What's that experience like?

Meeting Liz was surreal. I was 16, starstruck, and completely tongue-tied. Years later, when we finally got in a room together, it was surprisingly comfortable. We just talked, I shared what I was going through, and the lyrics flowed from there. Liz has this incredible ability to take a story and transform it into something magical. We've written some of my favorite songs together at her beach house – there's something about being by the water that unlocks my creativity. She's been a mentor and a friend, and I'm incredibly grateful for her guidance.

What's the most challenging part of the songwriting process for you?

Sometimes it takes a long time to break down that barrier and be truly vulnerable. But once you're there, the songwriting process can be incredibly rewarding.

Your lyrics are honest, clever, and relatable. How do you balance honesty with craft?

It depends on the song. Sometimes I come in with specific lyrics or titles, but I also love collaborating with lyricists who excel at imagery and storytelling. There's a special energy when you bounce ideas off each other, bringing unique perspectives to the table.

You've also worked with Sasha Alex Sloan, known for her introspective lyrics. How does that songwriting partnership differ?

Sasha is amazing. I bring my most personal, sometimes heavy, ideas to her because she has this gift for approaching deep concepts in a casual, conversational way. We wrote ‘Trust Issues’ before my first album even came out, and it was incredibly cathartic to explore those complex emotions through music. She's an incredible lyricist and artist, and I'm so grateful for her support.

What's your favorite thing about being a songwriter?

I love the creative freedom and the ability to express myself in a way that's meaningful to others. It's incredibly rewarding to see people connect with my music and feel something.

Alana is releasing new music, with ‘cowboy’ and ‘hold my beer’ just out. You can find out more about Alana on her website, and check out her Twitter, Facebook, TikTok and Instagram.