"For me, it's about connecting with my audience, taking them away from their daily stresses and concerns, helping them enjoy their respite. I believe in music's power to reach and affect people's lives for the better."
Having been exposed to many musical styles by her father's eclectic taste in music ranging from Bob Dylan, Grateful Dead to Aretha Franklin and Janis Joplin, Alley continued her career by attending Berklee College of Music. While there, Alley continued to hone her craft by immersing herself in the diverse culture and music settings that surrounded her. She became more heavily inspired by the R&B icons like Tina Turner, Aretha Franklin, Etta James as well as the new sound of R&B like Erykah Badu, Jill Scott, and pop singers Amy Winehouse and Joss Stone.
Soon after graduating, she performed at the Boston Blues Challenge, reaching the finals in 2008. Alley found that her style was evolving away from blues and more toward the R&B and Funk sounds of her mentors. She met with keys player and producer Bruce Bears (2 time Grammy Nominee for Duke Robillard, and music director for Toni Lynn Washington) who offered to produce her first CD. They spent many sessions researching songs to help identify the sound she was looking for in her music. With his guidance they put together several original songs as well as re-worked versions of obscure covers. Entering the studio in 2009, they recorded the debut CD "Public Alley 421" over several sessions. The band consisted of several long time contributors and members that performed with her at shows around the Boston area.
“I really wanted to find my own sound, my own identity as a musician and artist. I didn’t feel comfortable putting anything out there that didn’t feel raw and honest.”
Jim Carty, host of "Blues and Beyond" on WMFO Tufts Radio, heard the CD and immediately began playing tracks on the air waves. The band soon picked up a growing following, receiving airplay on radio shows around Boston. In November of 2010, the single "Tell Me Your My Guy" reached #9 in the nation on the Airplay Direct Download Charts.
On October 20th of 2010 "Public Alley 421" was released to the public with a performance at the House of Blues Foundation Room. The band went all out, bringing in Special Guests to perform their songs with extra vibrancy. The band's jaw dropping performance lit up the packed house. The energy was electric, leaving the audience with just a taste of what's to come from Soul Alley. Video of the performance is available on the website homepage www.soulalleymusic.com
Soul Alley has been performing throughout the New England area, with acts like the Luke Mulholland Band, Phil Pemberton band (singer of Roomful of Blues), Richard James, Jen Kearney and the Lost Onion, The Nasty's, and more. They look to continue to grow musically and gain more exposure, bringing their sound and energy to new markets.
