03 Aug Grammy®-nominated Dominican singer-songwriter Alih Jey collaborates with Latin music stars
Set to release new single “Tú No Tienes La Culpa” a duet with her father bolero icon Aníbal De Peña
Continues to generate buzz with album Soy De Peña
“(Alih Jey) doesn’t have to dig too far for authenticity: her father, Aníbal De Peña, is considered a folk music icon on the island… “Tú No Tienes La Culpa” is performed with her papi and is just the tip of the iceberg of an inspiring album full of reverential musical treasures. It’s going to be fun to watch her explore her roots while displaying the forward looking vision she’s shared in the past.”
-Feliz Contreras (NPR)
Vesper Public Relations. Los Angeles, CA. (August 2019) – Grammy®-nominated Dominican singer-songwriter Alih Jey, continues to generate buzz with album “Soy De Peña”. Now set to release new single titled “Tú No Tienes La Culpa” a duet with her father bolero icon Aníbal De Peña.
“Tú No Tienes La Culpa” is a duet that marks the genesis of my project Soy De Peña. While on a trip to San Antonio, en route to see my parents, my father’s music became a soundtrack. Filled with inspiration, the visit with my family became a jam session that solidified this would be my next project. “ Tú No Tienes La Culpa” stood out to me in particular as one of the oldest songs in my family’s repertoire, and as my father’s first hit in the Dominican Republic. My dad later told me how the first recording of “Mi Debilidad” caused barely a ripple, and it wasn’t until he recorded Tú No Tienes La Culpa with piano, violin, bass and percussion, that he gave birth to his classic hit “Mi Debilidad” that we know today. It became clear that this song should be included on the album as the duet between my father and I. It was the first time I sang one of my grandfather’s songs with my dad. “Tú No Tienes La Culpa” is the song I was struck by first, and the one that initiated “Soy De Peña.”
Listen on Sound Cloud – “Tú No Tienes La Culpa”
https://soundcloud.com/alihjey/tu-no-tienes-la-culpa-feat-anibal-de-pena/s-II2yk
Alih Jey continues to make an impact with her new album Soy De Peña, as well, providing a distinctive approach to alternative folk music within an ever-growing roster of Dominican female artists. She was recently featured on Noticias Telemundo in a prominent piece, Acceso Total, Gozamos (a spotlight on arts, community and culture) and after performing at SXSW, opening up Raul Malo’s West Coast tour, and having a successful Album release show, Alih followed up by performing at key festivals, among them Hola México Film Festival, LA Pride (as guest for artist Georgel), LA Food fest and “In A Dream with Mystic Pete” KXLU radio.
Recently the talented Dominican singer-songwriter shared the stage with one of Latin music’s top female pop stars, Alejandra Guzmán. Alih Jey sang and played guitar on her new live album: La Guzmán Live at the Roxy. The latest single is rock en español classic “Oye Mi Amor” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fdtNAjziJsg . Apart from that, she also co-wrote a song with Gloria Trevi for her latest album Diosa de la Noche called “Yo Tengo Hoy,” and co-wrote Vadhir Derbez’s recent single “Mala.”
Alih Jey’s newest video “Mi Debilidad” directed by Ernesto Lomeli and Jarina De Marco, has also been well received. It stands out in the alternative folk scene, evoking a sense of old Hollywood with telenovela aesthetics. The video paints a scene of domesticity, which consists of a series of picturesque vignettes of her living with her husband. Throughout the video, he is aloof and uninterested in his environment, going through the motions of a passionless marriage, all the while painting the image of a perfect one. Alih attempts to maintain the optimism of a hopeless romantic, knowing deep down that their love is doomed. She reveals her unhappiness by adorning her face with large crystal tears that begin to appear in each scene, exposing her true feelings. Alih reflects back on her whole relationship.
Video: Alih Jey “Mi Debilidad” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7qUytGoNHMY
Soy De Peña chronicles her family’s musical heritage with tributes to her father (Aníbal De Peña)’s much beloved repertoire, and her grandfather (Aníbal De Peña Sr.)’s lesser-known musical poems. Aníbal De Peña is considered a key figure in the Dominican Republic’s Golden Age of music with a catalogue ranging from romantic boleros to songs with social justice and political messages.
Cameron Bartolini produced the album after an introduction to Alih Jey by another Dominican artist Jarina De Marco. After listening to a recording of a live performance of the songs, he felt a distinct connection to the music and story. The project is also collaboration with Alih Jey’s fellow artists and friends Cuñao, a Latin alternative folk band. This collaboration between Alih Jey and Cuñao provides a fresh take on this timeless music while remaining true to Aníbal De Peña’s classic songs.
SONG INFO
“Esperanza” (By Aníbal De Peña Sr.)
Alih’s grandfather, Aníbal De Peña, Sr, wrote this song as a serenade for Alih’s grandmother, Esperanza, in the 1930’s. Alih’s father recorded it in the 1960’s and it became one of his most beloved songs.
“Déjame Beber” (By Aníbal De Peña)
“Déjame Beber” means “Let me drink you.” It’s about desiring someone deeply, and wanting to satiate that thirst.
“Tú No Tienes La Culpa” (By Aníbal De Peña Sr.)
“Tú No Tienes La Culpa” was written by Alih’s grandfather and features a duet with Alih and her father on the album – three generations in one song.
“Enriquillo” (By Aníbal De Peña)
“Enriquillo” is about the Taino warrior of the same name that fought against the Spanish. It’s an epic poem that Aníbal wrote as a metaphor for the Dominican Civil War. It is still sung in Universities and schools all over the Dominican Republic.
“Déjame Ver” (By Aníbal De Peña)
This song is about being totally enthralled by a lover.
“Mi Tristeza” (By Aníbal De Peña)
This song stands out in the album because of its doo wop feel. While going through her father’s repertoire, this one seemed especially unique to Alih. It’s about falling into despair and longing to be released from heartache.
“Tal Vez Mañana” (By Pablo Herrero. Originally performed by Aníbal De Peña)
The title means “Maybe tomorrow”, which fits in perfectly to the song’s theme of heartbreak. Cuñao sings in a big chorus behind Alih.
“A Mi No Me Interesas” (By Alih Jey De Peña)
The only composition penned by Alih on the album. It’s about a breakup.
“Mi Debilidad” (By Aníbal De Peña)
“Mi Debilidad” is the first single off the record and Alih’ dad’s biggest success in the 1960’s.
ALBUM CREDITS
Recorded, produced and mixed at Lineage Studios by Cameron Bartolini
Co-produced by Alih Jey
Arranged by Alih Jey, Cuñao and Cameron Bartolini
Mastered by Samuel Knaack
All songs by Aníbal De Peña except A Mi No Me Interesas by Alih Jey and Tal Vez Mañana by Pablo Herrero
Published by Peer International Corporation (BMI) except for “A Mi No Me Interesas” by Sapo Verde Music – Sony/ATV (BMI)
MUSICIANS
Lead vocals and acoustic guitar: Alih Jey
Lead vocals: Aníbal De Peña
Violins: Tom Moose and Gabriel Ramirez
Mandolin: Tom Moose
Accordion and piano: Severin Behnen
Vocals: Julio Montero
Bass: Josel Cruz
Cajón: Craig Shields
Percussion: Isaac Rodríguez
Background vocals: Cuñao
GUEST ARTISTS
Jarina De Marco, vocals on “Esperanza”
Nancy Sánchez, vocals on “Mi Tristeza” and “Tal Vez Mañana”
Fernanda Ulibarri, vocals on “Mi Tristeza” and “Tal Vez Mañana”
Edwin Burgos, vocals on “A Mi No Me Interesas”
ALBUM ART
Album cover photo by Myles Pettengill
Back cover and inside photo by Pete Galindo
Art Direction by Jarina De Marco
Graphic Design by Jenny Dodge
ABOUT ALIH JEY:
- Alih Jey is a Grammy®-nominated singer and songwriter living in Los Angeles, CA of Dominican Republic roots.
- In 2008, she was the first Dominican nominated for a Latin Grammy® in the category of Best Rock Solo Vocal Album for her independently released album Necia. Alih is also a featured vocalist and writer on “Déjame Bailar”, Los Rakas’ single from their Grammy®-nominated album Los Rakas.
- She has performed at major festivals and events such as SXSW, LAMC, LALIFF, The Grammy Music Series, L Festival, The Casandra Awards (Premios Soberano), The Miami Music Festival, and Dominicana Moda.
- As a songwriter, Alih Jey won the BMI award in 2016 for co-writing Ricky Martin’s hit single “Adrenalina (Spanglish version).” On stage, Alih has performed with Gloria Estefan, Paulina Rubio, Aleks Syntek, Bacilos, and La Quinta Estación. Alih has also collaborated with multi-Grammy winners Sebastian Krys and Elsten Torres (Fulano), Jarina De Marco, Francisca Valenzuela, Huey Dunbar, Paulina Rubio, and Frankie J.
Soy De Peña – Alih Jey (Junto a Cuñao)
https://soundcloud.com/alihjey/sets/soy-de-pena-masters/s-4a1dB
Spotify
https://open.spotify.com/artist/5mdcH0FX9YUTUv9PXlxhBa
Discography: (Albums and EPs): Alih Jey (2001), Gotas de Piel (2004), Necia (2008), Tarte (2011) & Car Trouble (2014).
RECENT PRESS
Gozamos (a spotlight on arts, community and culture)
https://gozamos.com/2019/07/alih-jey/
Alih Jey Pays Tribute to Her Family With New Album
Spectrum News SoCal
NPR
Alih Jey, “Tu No Tienes la Culpa”
On her new album Soy De la Peña, vocalist Alih Jey has made an artistic and musical pivot from English language, Latin Grammy-nominated rocker to an acoustic folk music troubadour who is digging deep into her Dominican roots. She doesn’t have to dig too far for authenticity: her father, Aníbal De Peña, is considered a folk music icon on the island. Her change in direction was inspired by and accomplished with SoCal folk warriors Cuñao. “Tu Tienes La Culpa” is performed with her papi and is just the tip of the iceberg of an inspiring album full of reverential musical treasures. It’s going to be fun to watch her explore her roots while displaying the forward looking vision she’s shared in the past. — Felix Contreras
L.A. Taco
“Just like how international star Rosalia is reimagining Flamenco, Grammy nominated singer-songwriter Alih Jey is breathing new life into boleros. Trust me, her new single Mi Debilidad is definitely worth checking out, it’s romantic, it’s authentic and the sound is just rich all around.”
https://www.lataco.com/gtfo-420-edition/
NPR – SXSW Interview
NPR
“Backed by the LA-based retro folk outfit called Cuñao, [“Mi Debilidad”] is an evocative torch song, sung in Spanish… it’s intimate, powerful, and a wonderful statement from [Alih Jey].”
Fuerza Y ‘Debilidad’: Our Favorite Latin Songs This Week https://n.pr/2RG6YsW
KCRW “MI DEBILIDAD”
http://blogs.kcrw.com/music/2019/01/pan-caliente-alih-jey-mi-debilidad-song-premiere/
SOCIAL MEDIA/MUSIC
Follow Alih Jey @alihjey
Listen on Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/alihjey
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