Dasha Logan Keeps ‘Legasi’ of the Alleycats Alive

Petaloring Jayan: The Penang pop-rock group, the Alleycats, left an indelible mark on the country’s music landscape

The Penang pop-rock group, who surged to stardom in the late 1970s, left an indelible mark on the country’s music landscape, and many of their hits such as “Sekuntum Mawar Merah Sebuah Puisi” are still beloved today.

‘Legasi’, an EP by Dasha Logan

Now, younger music lovers who may not have been around in the band’s heyday have the opportunity to discover The Alleycats’ iconic tunes through “Legasi”, an EP by singer-songwriter Dasha Logan. The 37-year-old is the daughter of the late Loganathan Arumugam and niece of David Arumugam, both Alleycats members.

The new release contains remixed takes on five classic songs by the iconic band, namely “Jika Kau Bercinta Lagi”, “Senandung Semalam”, “Seribu Bintang”, “Andainya Aku Pergi Dulu Sebelummu”, and “Sampaikanlah Salam”.

A Fresh Take on Classic Songs

Dasha’s song “Cleverly” reached the No. 1 spot on the UK Soul Chart in December 2014, and her eponymous debut album was released in 2020. “Legasi” is her homage to her family’s musical heritage, as well as her way of introducing the Alleycats to a new generation of music lovers.

“I realised a lot of the youth nowadays don’t really know who the Alleycats were,” she told FMT Lifestyle. “So my goal was to take their hits and remix them to sound a bit more modern. The youths can listen to the tracks as new songs, and their parents can hear a fresh take on them.”

Support from David Arumugam

Dasha says her uncle David has been very supportive of ‘Legasi’ and even performs with her on the EP.

The EP’s Production Team

The EP, which was launched in KL on Jan 15, is arranged by Melina Williams of local indie rock band Tempered Mental, and produced by Rozhan Rahman.

Challenges and Highlights

Remixing the songs while trying to ensure their sound remains faithful to the original versions was fun and challenging, Dasha said. She believes her team has struck a good balance between what people are used to and what new listeners would like.

“’Andainya Aku Pergi Dulu Sebelummu’ was a particular challenge, because my uncle’s vocal range is massive! He can sing so low and then belt high. Finding a key that suited me was tough, but we did it,” she said.

Another highlight is “Seribu Bintang”, which has been given a Billie Eilish-meets-The Weeknd facelift. Her favourite song to perform, however, is “Senandung Semalam”, which she also finds the hardest to sing.

Future Plans

Dasha, who hopes this EP will open the door for her to release more songs in Malay, added that she is keen to take on more from the Alleycats’ songbook in the future.

“There’s a song called ‘Dengar Lihat Fikir’, which I just love. It’s not very well known, but it has such a beautiful message,” she said.

“I’ve heard people tell me they first listened to the Alleycats with their parents or on first dates. Hopefully, these songs remind you of people you love, or transport you back to happier, simpler times.”

Conclusion

Dasha Logan has successfully kept the spirit of the Alleycats alive through her new EP, ‘Legasi’. With her unique blend of modern and traditional elements, she has introduced the iconic band to a new generation of music lovers.

FAQs

Q: What is the name of the EP by Dasha Logan?

A: The EP is called “Legasi”.

Q: Who is the producer of the EP?

A: The EP is produced by Rozhan Rahman.

Q: Who are the members of the Alleycats?

A: The Alleycats are composed of David Arumugam, Loganathan Arumugam, and other members.

Q: What is the release date of the EP?

A: The EP was launched in KL on January 15.

Q: Where can I listen to Dasha Logan’s music?

A: You can follow Dasha Logan on Instagram and check out her music on Spotify.