Alih Jey is a recording artist (born in the Dominican Republic) whose music ranges from electric guitar -driven retro pop to ukulele Latin alternative.
Based in Los Angeles, but raised between DR and Miami, Alih had, before finding fame as a Latin Alternative/Pop artist, been somewhat of a child celebrity in her home country. As part of her family’s 5-piece band “La Familia De Peña” Alih was already performing throughout the DR and singing in 5 part harmony by the age of 3.
After a childhood of performing in her family’s band as well as hosting a children’s television show called “Topi Topi De Fiesta,” Alih began writing songs.
At 16, she had gained the interest of various labels and ended up signing with Universal Music Latino, her home for years to come.
While with Universal, Alih released two albums. The first single from her self-titled debut (“It’s Ok) reached the Billboard top 40, and her second release (“Gotas de Piel) received great reviews from critics. Leila Cobo from Billboard called song Te Lo Debo A Ti “…one of the best female pop tracks in recent memory.” Erwin Perez from The Miami Herald called Alih Jey “One of the most complete and talented artists of the Miami Music Industry,” and Boom Magazine named “Gotas de Piel” Best Album by a Singer/Songwriter.
Alih eventually went on tour with latin rock band Bacilos, and with pop star Paulina Rubio as their opening act, and received great reception from audiences. Her video for “Muñequita Tuya” reached the top 10 video channel HTV. Also, her songs began to be recorded by other artists, such as Ednita Nazario and Rogelio Martinez.
The need for complete creative freedom eventually crept up on Alih. She hadn’t seen eye to eye with her label for a long while. Hence, they parted ways and she began her journey as an independent artist.
Her two indie releases up to now have been, “Necia (2008),” and “Tarte (2011).” “Necia” earned Alih her first Latin GRAMMY nomination in the category of Best Rock Solo Vocal Album. She self-financed, fully composed and co-produced this album “… with all my heart and am honored to have been nominated.”
Alih was chosen to play SXSW during this time, she went on tour in the Dominican Republic (her single “Ingrata” had reached #2 in DR radio), played at the inauguration of the GRAMMY Museum, performed and co-wrote the theme song for the Cassandra Awards (the Dominican GRAMMYs), played LAMC, and was chosen as Clear Channel’s hispanic artist of the month. Artists kept recording her songs, such as Dulce Maria from Mexican pop group RBD.
With “Tarte,” Alih Jey released her first English language album, produced by Fernando Perdomo and herself, through Perdomo’s indie label Forward Motion Records. This put her on the map in the non-latin industry and led to her singing the theme song for ABC show Suburgatory. Alih also placed songs from “Tarte” on the television show “Bad Girl’s Club.” She was called “A bilingual firecracker of a girl” by the Miami New Times after having played the Miami Music Festival and has also toured throughout major U.S cities. Alih was chosen to be on the fourth Season of The Voice, a group of 122 people out of 40,000 but the 48 slots were filled before she got to do her blind audition. Her music video for “A Mi No Me Interesas,” the only Spanish language track on “Tarte” was premiered on LATV on April 2013.
Her new project, CAR TROUBLE (unreleased as of yet), includes songs “This Cigarette,” “Steal Your Boyfriend,” “Car Trouble,” and “Girl Afire.”
Alih Jey nos dio algo de su tiempo para conocerle mas.
De donde proviene Alih Jey y hace cuanto que radicas en USA?
Nací en República Dominicana y me crié entre Miami y D.R. Ya tengo casi 14 años que vivo seguido en Estados Unidos!
Como fue que empezó en la música?
Desde los tres años cantaba a voces con mis dos hermanas mayores y a veces con la familia entera. A los 14 años empecé a componer canciones y a los 16 me firmó una disquera. Desde entonces he trabajado en la música profesionalmente.
Se acuerde de la primera canción que escribió? Y cual era el tema de la misma?
La primera canción que escribí se llama “Deal with it.” Se trata de aceptar lo que la vida te pone en frente aunque no te guste. Tenía 14 años y todo en esa epoca lo sentía intensamente, jaja.
Nos podría contar cual es su proceso para inspirarse al escribir ? Y es mas fácil escribir o cantar enfrente de un publico?
Siempre ha sido más fácil para mi escribir del desamor o de la obsesión. Cuando algo duele o arde, aparecen melodías y palabras de la nada y las tengo que grabar o escribir. Escribir es algo personal y muchas veces privado para mi. Cantar, sin embargo, es más divertido cuando se hace en frente de un público.
Que instrumentos toca y cual es su favorito?
Toco guitarra, ukulele y piano. La guitarra es mi favorita.
Nos podría contar algo sobre su trayectoria en esta carrera , sus puntos altos y que mas le gustaría hacer?
Fue un gran honor haber sido nominada para un GRAMMY hace unos años. Después de grabar varios discos y haberme ido de gira algunas veces, sólo quiero seguir evolucionando como cantante y compositora y a la vez seguir llegándole a más y más gente.
Tiene algún material para entrenar pronto?
Estoy terminando mi nuevo E.P “Car Trouble” que saldrá muy pronto.
Tiene algún show próximo y si es así para cuando es?
Mi proximo show es Fusion Beats el 27 de Febrero en Los Globos con Musica Roots Magazine .
Ahora con la tecnología (social media ) que tenemos , cuales son las maneras para que nuestros lectores puedan encontrarse directamente con Alih Jey?
youtube.com/alihjeymusic, facebook.com/alihjeyfans, facebook.com/alihjey, twitter.com/alihjey
