Songs of a Songstress

If you’ve hit up for live music lately, you may be familiar with a certain guitar-wielding songstress who goes by, simply, Allegra. We caught up with her at to get a glimpse at her musical makings.

The veteran singer, songwriter and musician has been performing in some capacity for the last 15 years and on a full-time basis for the last three. A San Diego native, she studied theatre at Chapman University followed by a brief stint back in her hometown and subsequent moves to Los Angeles and New York City.

After experiencing the world of pay-to-play in L.A. and working as a singing waiter at a spot on Broadway in NYC, she returned home in late 2006.

Upon moving back, the singer/songwriter had written a collection of about 50 songs and immediately started frequenting open mics and picking up gigs to rebuild a fan base. Somewhere between holding side jobs at every restaurant from Tower 23 to the Broken Yolk, and taking second place (out of 400 contestants) at the San Diego County Fair's Musicpalooza in 2009, the lifelong musician decided to run with her music full time—and she’s never looked back.    

“I love San Diego’s music scene,” she said, citing the closely knit community of local artists. Having played in some of the city’s most iconic venues including House of Blues, Anthology and Belly Up Tavern, Allegra admits to a strong appreciation for intimate venues like Beaumont’s.

Now, at work on her new album, the casually styled crooner is juggling a busy gig schedule with studio time. But, of course, there’s always room to listen. Check out what inspires this local artist in the Tune Tracker Q&A:

Full Name:  Allegra Barley; for her music, she operates under “Allegra Sings” or simply Allegra.

Occupation:  Local singer, songwriter and musician

In a word, sum up your taste in music:  “Relatable. Anything I can get behind and understand.”

What is your castaway disc (the once CD or album you would take with you to a deserted island)?  The White Album, The Beatles.

“It’s timeless and still so relevant.”

Favorite live music performance—artist, venue and year: Harry Connick Jr., Open Air Theatre at San Diego State University, 2000.

“It was just so much sound—so big and bold.”

If you were an instrument, what would it be and why? “This is tough to decide, but I might just be a piano. A grand piano, though. It’s steady and immovable and can do anything. It can evoke any type of emotion.”

Your guilty music pleasure: “Either Lady Gaga or Katy Perry. I won’t buy the albums, but I won’t change the station either.”

Name the three artists getting the most airtime on your iPod right now:

1. Marc Broussard
2. Amos Lee
3. Mumford & Sons

For more information on Allegra’s music and gig list, visit her blog.

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