The Ocean Beach Farmers Market is not only a great place to pick up food or find a unique gift; it’s also a place to discover new musical talent. Such is the case with singer-songwriter Alyssa Walker, who performs at the Farmer’s Market on Dec. 27. While the location of the gig itself, on the asphalt at the intersection of Newport Avenue and Bacon Street, is unassuming, the performances draw a wide range of listeners, giving artists exposure to new audiences. Part of a string of dates while she’s back in San Diego for the holidays from Pomona College, where she is a music major, Walker is a relative newcomer to the local music community, having only performed in public for the past three years, though she has been a musician since she was 6. “I performed in talent shows and school classrooms,” Walker recalled. “My grandma inspired me to learn the guitar and influences like Taylor Swift, Colbie Caillat, and Lady Antebellum got me into songwriting and performing.” She considers her grandmother her biggest musical influence. “My grandma plays guitar and when I was younger she would come into my classes and play songs for the kids and I told her that I wanted to learn,” Walker said. “She taught me the basics and later both of us were performing in my elementary school classrooms together. I am so fortunate to have such a supportive family. They have supported everything I have done as a musician. My family comes to most of my shows and my mother helps me book a lot of my gigs.”
Though the weather for the Farmer’s Market may be chilly, but Walker is prepared. “Usually, I prefer indoor gigs because I feel they are more intimate and easier to interact with the audience but my biggest gigs are often outdoors so it really just depends on what kind of venue it is,” she said.
Walker has released an EP, “Break the Wall” and three singles, including her most recent, “Set You Free.” “My songwriting is inspired by my personal experiences or things that have happened to people around me,” she said. “I try to tell a story with my songs.” She also includes covers in her shows. “I play a lot of Taylor Swift, Miranda Lambert and Kelsea Ballerini, as well as crowd pleasers, songs a lot of people know, like “Don’t Stop Believing,” “Closer,” and “Strawberry Wine.”
It’s clear that Walker considers music to be a vital part of her life. “It has given me an outlet to make new connections and meet really amazing people,” she remarked. “Music has gotten me through my hardships and is my therapy. Music has made me stronger and I’ve become more confident over the years.” More shows and recordings are in the cards for Walker, but college is a priority, so she’s taking things slow. “I’m not sure what’s in store for me,” she mused. “I am currently in school as music major with an emphasis in vocal performance. I hope from the classes and experiences I have there I will get a better sense of what I want to do with music as a full time career,” she said.
For her part Walker is just happy to be able to express herself through music. “My favorite thing about being a musician is that I can share my feelings and songs with the world,” she said. “I hope that people can relate and I hope that I can influence people in a positive way. Having people say that your music made there day is why I do what I do.” Alyssa Walker: Wednesday, Dec. 27 at Ocean Beach Farmers Market, Newport and Bacon. 4 p.m. All ages. Free. alyssawalkermusic.com, oceanbeachsandiego.com