image
InterviewMusic

by Alexandra Mansilla

ALAY: 'I Hope We Reach a Point Where DJs Aren’t Labelled By Gender'

22 May 2025

ALAY is an Italian-Brazilian DJ based in Zurich, and she recently released "Next One" — a track that, as it is described, is a high-energy anthem made to get people moving, channelling the spirit of early club anthems with a sharp, modern edge. She released it with Mahool Records, a Saudi-born label.
Too many countries in one story? Definitely. But what is even more interesting is that ALAY started her DJ journey completely from scratch... just five years ago! And now, she is being called one of electronic music’s rising stars.
I was genuinely intrigued by her story, and here it is.
— Hi ALAY! Before we dive into the music, I would love to ask a bit about your background. You are half Italian, half Brazilian — could you tell me more about your roots?
— I am half Italian, half Brazilian, and currently based in Switzerland. My father is Italian and my mother is Brazilian — so yes, I can be a little more emotional and a little more dramatic sometimes… but in the best way!
I grew up in Italy but left when I was 18 — I just wanted to experience the world. I tried to combine whatever I could — studies, internships, gap years, you name it — all to live in as many different places as possible. Eventually, I settled down in Zurich a few years ago.
— And if I remember correctly, you started DJing five years ago — completely from scratch?
— Yes, I had no clue about this world.
I was one of those people who grew up in an environment where you are taught to go for the “safe” option — study something practical, get a stable, decent job. And that is exactly what I did. I come from a business background and worked in that field for years.
Then, a few years ago — maybe it was fate, or just life doing its thing — I got a DJ controller as a random gift. Totally out of the blue. And I got obsessed. That is when I realised: wait, this is actually a job? Like, can you genuinely love what you do, fully, 360 degrees? That changed everything for me.
I was always that person — the last one to leave the party, always showing up to every event — but I never saw DJing as a real option for me. Though looking back, music was always part of my life. I did piano, ballet... it was always there.
I clearly remember 2010 in Milan, where I was living at the time — it was such a cool moment. We had this wave of underground music; deep house was just starting to rise. Some of the big names we know today came out of that scene. We would party in tiny underground clubs, and it really felt like a movement.
But at the time, it was just a lifestyle — not something I ever imagined could turn into a career. I didn’t even know it was possible to make this a job. For me, it was more like, “Yeah, I can do it — whatever — but not seriously.”
Until one day… it became real.
— So, how did your DJ journey officially begin?
— When I first started DJing I didn’t immediately think of it as a job. I just wanted to try it because I really liked it. But then the reaction from the crowd and the community was so positive! People were coming up to me asking, “Where do you DJ? Who are you?” And I was like, “Oh… this is actually my first time!”
That is when my business brain kicked in — I thought, okay, there is real potential here. If people are responding this way, maybe I should take it seriously. Things picked up quickly after that, and the momentum kept growing.
So even though I don’t know exactly what the future holds, I realised I really want to give this a proper shot — and see where it takes me.
— You mentioned your first set — can you tell me more about how it went?
— That was an experience! It was in a small club here in Zurich, and the equipment was pretty old. So basically, every possible challenge you can imagine happened — even my USB stopped working at one point. You know, all those little things that could go wrong? They did.
But somehow, I managed to figure it all out — and honestly, the vibe was so good. The crowd was super engaged and really feeling the music. I am sure I made a thousand mistakes that night, but no one even noticed. That energy just carried everything.
I also think I was lucky to start here in Zurich. People here are genuinely into music — they show up for the sound, not just for the scene or the hype. So I am extremely grateful I had the chance to start my journey in a place that really listens. It made all the difference.
— How would you describe your sound?
— That is a really good question. I would say my main goal, whenever I play, is to bring energy — I want people to have fun, feel happy, and dance. So for sure, my sets are always quite energetic and melodic, because I want to connect with a wide range of musical tastes.
In terms of genre, if we had to put a label on it, I would say my sound today is a mix of indie dance, melodic house and techno — and sometimes a touch of tribal. I wouldn’t call it “fusion” because that word has become so broad nowadays, but I definitely love having diversity in my sets.
Diversity in terms of cultures, countries, sounds, emotions — that is what I try to bring, always mixed with energy and intention.
I really appreciate playing for a community and an audience that comes with an open mind — and more importantly, an open heart toward music. That is when the real journey can happen.
My music has always been about people — about connection, energy, and love. I am there to read the room, to give something back, to make people happy — and that is what makes me happy. I am there to create a shared moment. I want people to dance, to feel something, to leave with joy.
— And I guess your sound has evolved since you first started five years ago?
— Of course! So before my first official gig in Zurich, I was actually playing at private parties, mostly villa parties in Ibiza, which I think is how a lot of DJs get started.
Back then, I was spending a few months in Ibiza, and I started out playing more downtempo, organic sounds. Gradually, I moved into melodic house and techno. So it was kind of a progression — starting with slower BPMs, then moving toward a more energetic, faster sound.
At some point, I also explored slightly darker styles, but in the past couple of years, I have really been drawn to indie dance — and I love how it blends with melodic house and techno, as long as it doesn’t get too dark.
— Now, let’s dive into your music! Your first EP, Redemption Journey, I have to say that I am really curious about the name. What inspired the EP? Why these two tracks? What is the story, the mood, the message — tell me everything!
— What made it special is that it came out just around the end of the COVID period. I think we all had very different experiences during that time, but the one thing we shared was time — time to reflect, to think about life, the future, challenges, direction.
For me, that EP really captured that moment. It was about stepping into something new — a change in path. For me, it was very personal — it marked a fresh start, the beginning of a new chapter.
Musically, “Journey” has more of a dreamy, trancey vibe — it is lighter, softer, and more atmospheric. “Redemption”, on the other hand, leans more into melodic house and techno, but with a stronger personality. It still carries emotion, but it is a bit more grounded and powerful compared to “Journey”.
What is funny is that when I play now, people sometimes come up and request those two tracks — and I am like, oh wow, I almost forgot about them! It is amazing to see how something you created a while ago still resonates with others.
— And what about your single “Take Me” — what is the story behind it?
— “Take Me” was about finding that balance — something emotional, but also sexy and energetic. A track you could listen to on Spotify, but that also brings real energy to the club.
When you create a track, you never really know how people will react, so it was fascinating for me to see it in action. I would be playing a set, mixing in some bigger, more “banger” tracks, and then I would drop "Take Me"… and the crowd would go off! The reaction was so positive — people were jumping, animated, fully into it.
That made me so happy, because I honestly wasn’t sure if it would work in a club setting. But seeing people respond like that — it was such a great feeling.
— So you recently dropped “Next One” with Mahool — how did you end up working together?
— When you are in the industry, you naturally keep certain brands or labels on your radar — the ones you feel an affinity with. For me, Mahool was definitely one of those.
I really love everything they are doing — the artists they collaborate with, their live setups, the whole vision. So as an artist, I am honestly honoured to be partnering with them.
They loved “Next One” and wanted to sign it — and that meant a lot to me.
— Could you tell me more about this single?
— I feel like when I was working on that track, I wanted to mix a few different elements, like those classic football stadium chants from Italy. I thought it would be fun to layer that energy with some vocal chops, almost in a trap style.
That part didn’t take too long, but what took a bit more time was finding the right drum pattern. I wanted something groovy that would hint at a Brazilian carnival vibe. So once I figured out how to bring those three elements together — the chants, the vocals, and the drums — Next One was born.
I have been honestly so impressed by how well it has resonated with listeners. I am really happy and grateful for all the support!
— Now, a creative one: since you live in Zurich, how would you describe the sound of your city?
— I would say what I really appreciate about Zurich is how democratic it feels. You see this coexistence of both the posh, upscale lifestyle and a thriving underground scene.
For me, the real heartbeat of the city is in the underground — that is where you discover deeper, more niche sounds. Of course, with the current after-hours trend, there has been this shift toward more commercial setups playing after-hours music, which we are all familiar with by now.
So, I think the city’s sound is an interesting blend — the coexistence between mainstream after-hours vibes and a more minimal, progressive underground scene, often in smaller, more intimate clubs.
One of the most important and well-known clubs in Europe, in my opinion, is Nordstern. They do an amazing job of representing a wide range of sounds, which, honestly, is becoming rare these days. Huge shoutout to them for keeping that diversity alive.
— What are you currently working on — anything exciting you would love to share?
— I have got a few releases coming up — one in June, another in August, and one more in September, all with Ame Records, a super cool label from Brazil that I am really happy to be working with. I also have a single coming out on Insomniac IN/Rotation.
And… there is a special collaboration coming up — I won’t say with who just yet — but I am really looking forward to seeing how people react. It is something I am genuinely excited about!