Alley SA teams up with Zinah on “How Do You”

Port Elizabeth-born and now Cape Town-based Producer and DJ, Alley SA, joins forces with one SA’s most-talented Pop singers, Zinah, on the brilliant new single ‘How Do You’ – out today across all digital platforms.

More info about Alley SA

Alley SA [real name Alistair Young], has steadily been building his career and making music for the past 7 years. He has worked with the likes of Arno Carstens, Mark Stent, KLA, Justin Chalice, DSB and many more, and his unique sound captures a lot of attention and brings something different to the table.

For his latest single he collaborates with Zinah, a singer, songwriter, actress, and presenter from Johannesburg, who has achieved success with her own solo releases over the past few years.

Alley SA recalls how they met

“I actually messaged someone in the industry asking about a female vocalist and they recommended her. I was mind blown by how talented she was and I thought she would be the perfect fit. And she really outdid herself in this one.” 

Zinah was equally excited to work with Alley SA, echoing their meeting circumstances 

“Alley had heard about me from someone we both know, and when he asked to work with me on this song. I was more than excited to explore the potential of the track. It’s literally one of my favourites, and I think it’s the best song to enter into summer with!”

Alley SA had an initial instrumental idea together for the track which he had written, recorded and produced in his home studio before looking for a vocalist to work with. 

“I wanted to go for a nice happy catchy kind of vibe then I came up with this beat. During the time I produced the track I could see a lot of people being affected by COVID-19 and it just seemed that everyone was not in a happy space. So, I thought amongst the storm I would create something that would make us feel good.”

With the song in place, it just needed the vocals and lyrics added, which is where Zinah stepped in.

Delving into the theme of the song Zinah recalls the inspiration for the lyrics

“When I wrote this song, I was amazed at how one person could make you feel. Whether it be what they say, what they do, how they look. It’s that feeling of, if you can make me feel like this then what else can you do almost. It’s an appreciation of how someone can love you.”

The recording process saw Alley SA recording and producing from his studio in Cape Town, connecting with Zinah who was in Johannesburg.

Zinah had a very interesting experience recording the vocals for “How Do you”

“We had such a unique experience because Alley SA lives in Cape Town full time, so I wrote the song and sent him a demo of it and asked him if he wanted to change anything or add anything, so all our communication was over Whatsapp essentially.”

“Which is crazy considering where we are now. I still haven’t met him face to face! Alley was super supportive during the recording process, he organised everything and made it so that when I arrived all was set up for me to record. I really look forward to performing live with him, it would be the coolest thing ever!”

With the final version of the song released for all to hear, Alley SA is incredibly proud of his latest single

“’How Do You’ is a happy song, even if you’re not in love with someone or in a relationship you can appreciate the feeling it gives you. For me, it’s a feeling I’ve felt before and I look forward to feeling it again in the best way possible.”

You can buy / stream “How Do You” HERE.

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