Alfonso Conspiracy blends industrial chaos with raw vulnerability, redefining metal with pulsing electronics and fearless emotion. We spoke with the mind behind the madness about music, solitude, and self-belief.
1.
Alfonso Conspiracy has been described as "if Hell had a nightclub."
What inspired that aesthetic, and how does it reflect your musical vision?
I think it sums it up nicely regarding all things Alfonso. Listening to my
music is a dark and uncomfortable experience, but you can’t help dancing along.
You know? I love electronic stuff from industrial metal to rave culture, and I
think that side of metal is absent as of late. It’s currently just a
competition of who is heaviest, or who can rip off Bring Me The Horizon the
most subtly. So I think what I offer to metal is a needed change, and hopefully
a welcome one
2. You started this project at 14 after a period of isolation. How did that
solitude shape your creative process and connection to music?
It taught me the most important element of Alfonso, trust nobody and believe in
nobody but yourself. I think everyone should have that mindset though. I
quickly learnt that my vision wouldn’t be affected by anyone else if I was
alone, and it was possible to learn everything I had to, so I did. And without
that time alone it wouldn’t have spawned that realisation, as well as the pure
rage towards everything it came with, which I’m sure you can hear in my music.
3. Your new album “A Mixtape Of Songs That Remind Me Of Times I’d Rather
Forget” is a brutal yet multi-dimensional experience. What emotional or
thematic threads run through the record?
Although the title is somewhat tongue in cheek and I guess overly “edgy”, it is
genuinely a summary of the record. It’s a collection of songs from different
times of my life that I don’t remember fondly. It looks at addiction,
heartbreak, assault, allegations, rage, grief and general self hatred. However
a lot of music I hear discussing mental health in a dark way general disregards
the sadness that comes with it. It’s either a slow sad song, or a dark angry
song. I like to combine the two, it’s still dark and angry but there is emotion
and melody in there.
4. Industrial metal seems to be creeping back into the spotlight. Why do you
think now is the right time for this sound to resurface—and how does Alfonso
Conspiracy fit into that resurgence
I think it’s as simple as trends. It’s as if every 2 decades things resurface,
the comeback of 90s music and fashion has been so strong lately, and an
important part of alternative music in the 90s was bands like Nine Inch Nails
and Marilyn Manson. This being said, I don’t think many projects nowadays go
fully into the industrial vibe, instead they seem to just take slight
influence. And the ones that do go all out, don’t get nearly enough
recognition. Alfonso is going to be the wave that disrupts the water and
changes that however, it’s about time industrial gets the spotlight back.
5. The record blends elements of goth, nu-metal, electronic, and symphonic
touches. What artists or albums influenced this particular fusion?
I think it’s a bit of a messy pot of all influences growing up for me. I adored
all things growing up; and each style makes its way in some way or another.
Anything from Nine Inch Nails to Architects to The Prodigy to Rihanna.
6. “Bad Romance” was a bold cover choice. What drew you to Lady Gaga’s
track, and what did you want to bring to it that wasn’t in the original?
I love Gaga. We all do, right? I was listening to her music one day and I
really clicked onto how much industrial influence you can hear in it. Recently
significantly proven right with her release of Mayhem. Thinking back to what I
said about trends repeating, Manson covered Sweet Dreams in ‘95 and it was a
huge success. So I thought it’s my job to repeat the cycle and throw my own
take into the pop world, and Bad Romance has such dark undertones anyway, I
just wanted to really shine the light on them and make it even more…me I guess.
7. “Sandcastles” made a return due to popular demand. What do you think it
is about that track that resonated so strongly with listeners?
You know what it caught me off guard when I realised the love for it, but I’m
so glad it did. I guess it’s an incredibly honest song, that explores so many
sounds and aesthetics in its run time. It keeps it fresh, never really
repeating a section, and I’m sure the lyrics are relatable to a lot of people.
It discusses the realisation that everything around you is slowly falling
apart, and you’re loosing your grip on reality, as if it’s ’slipping through
your fingers’.
8. You’re a one-person live act, but have been praised for your commanding
stage presence. What’s your approach to performing live, and how do you keep
the energy high as a solo performer?
I think it’s easy to show passion on stage when you have passion in what you’re
performing. These songs are my whole being compressed into snippets of audio,
and I am passionate about what I have to say and what I feel, so delivering
energy live is just part of feeling so strongly. I’m proud of my music, and
proud of who I am, and I want people to know that, for that half an hour I am
on top of the world and I’m not going to put that opportunity to waste.
9. Tracks like “Tape My Heart (Break It)” show a more electronic and
emotional side. How important is vulnerability in your music, especially in a
genre known for aggression?
I think vulnerability is just another word for honesty. I make music to express
myself, I find it way easier making a song then actually opening up to someone,
so I guess that comes out in songs like Tape My Heart. It’s a song that really
doesn’t hide anything, as if I hid how I felt, there’d be no point doing this.
10. Reviewers have mentioned everything from Rammstein to Linkin Park to
Luna Falling as reference points. How do you balance influence with originality
in your sound?
I think having so many different influences makes it immediately different to
each of them. But I also think something a lot of musicians struggle with, and
I definitely have myself, is really embracing your individuality. Instead of
trying to sound like your favourite band, it’s way cooler to try sound as you
as you can. That’s what that band you love did, and they’re already a band. We
don’t want another Nine Inch Nails, but we’ve never had an Alfonso Conspiracy,
and only I can deliver that to people.
11. After battling illness and focusing on studies, you’ve made a bold
return. What have those years taught you about resilience, both personally and
artistically?
These past few years have drastically changed my life, a lot more than
anticipated. I had to tear myself down to nothing, and rebuild a person I
wanted to be from that. I’m now more focussed, understanding, driven and
patient with myself than I ever have been. You’ve got to go through hell to get
to heaven they say, and I did just that.
12. Finally—what's next for Alfonso Conspiracy? Any plans for new visuals,
collaborations, or shows fans should keep an eye out for
Alfonso is simply an entity that will keep growing and creeping up on the
industry. I have so many exciting things approaching, it’s going to be a crazy
year for me and I can’t wait for people to see what I have in store. As long as
you’re following me on social media, you will be able to experience the chaos
with me. And it’s gonna be fucking huge.
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