Gospel singer-turned-rising star Alisha Brown spoke to FRANCESCA SEDEN after triumphing through the early rounds of an X-Factor style knock-out singing competition
LIVE and Unsigned is a national music competition and the biggest music talent search for original acts in the UK. One of those vying for the top prize is vocalist Alisha Brown, 20, of Perth Avenue, Kingsbury.
Alisha, who lives with mum Samantha and dad Lindon, came across the contest using a search engine in active pursuit of somewhere to publicise her talent.
She is no stranger to the limelight, having performed in her church gospel choir from the age of nine, and tells me: "God was my first inspiration, and I had a particular family member that would encourage me as we were in a dance group.
"That's when I got the idea into my head that I wanted to be a professional solo singer."
She adds with a giggle: "I've performed at Sadler's Wells with the London Spirit Choir, at Hackney Town Hall for Sexual Health Awareness, and at various clubs and I was Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz at school."
Competing against hundreds of auditionees in Essex, Alisha has been given an opportunity to prove her musical worth in a head-to-head battle in front of hundreds of audience members and professional judges.
Alisha does not seem particularly fazed by this, however.
"I was surprised to get through because there were a group before me that sounded OK but got rejected," she says.
"I'm quite confident, though, as I think the judges were impressed with my song-writing ability but I'm trying to build my confidence to a higher level and working to get everyone down to support me."
She is next on stage at a live show on Tuesday, April 14, at Towngate Theatre, Basildon, in which she will perform one of her own songs plus the Stevie Wonder hit Higher Ground in the hope of securing a place in the area final on May 12.
Alisha talks to me with a husky voice and down-to-earth confidence, answering my questions in a measured tone.
She lists her influences as Destiny's Child, Mary Mary, Brandy and Keisha Cole, and describes her own music as 'inspirational, uplifting and soulful'.
If Alisha wins she would be thrust into the media spotlight with a £20,000 recording contract and an invitation to tour across the UK.
Last year's winners Kiddo 360 went on to bag another prize at the Vodafone Live Awards alongside established artists The Ting Tings, Primal Scream and Kate Nash.
When asked what she hopes to achieve through her exposure on
Live and Unsigned, Alisha says it will take her singing to another level and bring the necessary publicity to launch her career.
She took the daunting step of taking a year out of university to pursue her dream and is delighted that it's now paying off: "Mum was really happy when I got through as I'd taken a year out of uni and she had been worried, but now I'm finally getting somewhere."
Support Alisha and listen to her music at www.myspace/alishabrown1
