25 July 2023 | Pete Aguirre

Photo by Angelica Grijalva

Alissa Mayorga

Age: 23

Birthplace: Las Vegas

Zodiac: Gemini Sun • Aquarius Moon • Sagittarius Rising

PA: I remember being introduced to your photography through a friend around 2020 and thought you lived in SD. I would always see you were going to shows and knew you were really involved with music and concert photos. Where are you from originally and what was it like growing up there?

Alissa: I grew up in Las Vegas, went to high school in San Diego. Afterwards I was just floating around, lived in Mexico with my grandma for 6 months, but now I’ve been back home for a while and finally able to support myself. I was very lonely growing up and didn’t really have friends. Kinda just had to mature at a young age and parent myself. It’s still difficult to connect with most people, so I cherish the people that choose to stick around. 

PA: Who would you say inspired your music taste growing up?

Alissa: My parents… My dad raised me on new wave, rock en español, oldies, rockabilly, and everything in between. My mom put me onto nu metal and g-funk. They both were into house music, they met at a rave and my dad was in a rebel party crew. Music keeps us connected. 

PA: What’s a song that reminds you of your childhood?

Alissa: Lullaby by The Cure. Back when I lived with my dad and brother in one room at his uncle’s house, he would always play a dvd of their greatest hits music videos in the morning. The music video for Lullaby used to freak me out. I had sleep paralysis in that room where a giant shadow figure would attack me too. Now the song is comforting to me. Still my favorite years from my childhood.

PA: Do you remember your first concert?

Alissa: The Cheetah Girls !! I also took a hip hop dance class when I was a kid hehe. 

PA: Tell me how you got into concert photography and what was that first experience like? 

Alissa: I first practiced shooting some pics of my cousin when he was playing in a band and I really enjoyed how film captured a certain warm feeling you get during live shows. 

PA: What’s the music scene like in Vegas and what groups or bands coming out of that area do you feel deserve a shout out or more recognition? 

Alissa: There’s a lot of talent here in Vegas that deserves more recognition. Go check out Spelling Hands, Evelyn Scythe, Past Self, and the psychedelic cumbia homies Viaje Nahual. Also the dj homies Mr Btchess and Boogieman spin on vinyl! 

PA: I see your name on flyer covers now what have you been up to in regards to the music scene?

Alissa: Last year I decided to get more involved in the darkwave scene out here when the promoter buddy Robbie was moving away. There aren’t much people doing things for the scene out here that are really genuine and honest. I said fuck it let me put together a show. It’s tough work but I know I have the ability. I just love bringing people together to have a good time. 

PA: You go by the name @louderrthanbombs, are you a big Smiths fan? Favorite Smiths song?

Alissa: I was raised on The Smiths from my dad of course. The Perks of Being a Wallflower was one of my fav movies as well and I’d cry to the song Asleep in middle school. My fav song of all time though would have to be Well I Wonder. 

PA: Describe this playlist and what makes it unique to you? 

Alissa: Just some songs with sexy beats and some that make my soul feel expressed. They itch my brain in all the right places. 

Follow Alissa on Instagram to see more of her upcoming projects.