Alex Riley
Born on December 10, 1991 Alex Riley is a young and talented musician. He was born in Oudtshoorn which is in the Klein Karoo and moved to Helderberg 14 years ago. We caught up with him in Strand one day and this is what he has to say.
“I started playing the piano when I was about 8 years old. I taught myself a bit and then I went on with music lessons. Guitar I started playing when I was 13. My life changed a lot since I started playing guitar.
I was very good with sports. I played cricket, rugby, tennis and hockey and I was captain for everything except hockey. Ever since I started playing guitar I started to lose interest in sport although I still played.
I wrote my first song in Grade 9. My mom bought me my first sound system and I started doing small gigs and from there I have grown a lot and I got to learn so much about the music industry, and it’s tough!”
Helderberg has definitely got more life now than ever before.
Tell us about your special interests?
I will always have a love for sports. I often still play some squash just to keep in shape.
What do you do besides music?
I have a home based business that I started two years ago. It’s got to do with helping others help themselves basically with their health and wealth.
What do you do when you have some down time?
I enjoy having a braai with a few friends. Don’t like big parties. Too much people is not for me.
Do you have any hobbies?
Writing music, going to the beach and playing squash. I enjoy spending time with my girlfriend and my daughter.
Do you travel a lot and what is your favorite destination?
I don’t travel a lot, but I love taking a drive to somewhere random. Me and my girlfriend once took a drive to Simons Town and I really enjoyed it although it’s not that far. It’s a very beautiful town.
You could live in any country in the world – why choose SA?
I don’t really have the money to move…no I love South Africa and there is a lot of people that don’t, but I can tell you that every country has its problems. It’s what you make of it and besides we got the biltong and brandy.