EMQs with Alfonso Conspiracy

EMQs with Alfonso Conspiracy

Hi Everyone! Welcome to another EMQs interview, this time with UK solo Industrial metal project, Alfonso Conspiracy. Huge thanks to Max for taking part. 

What is your name, what do you play and can you tell us a little bit about the history of the project?

I’m Max and I am 1 of 1 members in Alfonso Conspiracy. I started making music when I was pretty young and at the time I didn’t know anyone with the same interests as me, and could play an instrument. I guess I got bored of waiting and took the approach of I’ll just do it then, and learnt how to do everything myself. I love doing collaborations but ultimately Alfonso has just become my life force and all the dark and weird stuff in my head gets personified into it 

How did you come up with the project’s name?

The name came a long time ago and through the early years I kept its origin a secret. I ended up telling so many stupid stories that the meaning has left me, so I pretend it came to me in a dream because that’s apparently cool to say 

What Country / Region are you from and what is the Metal / Rock scene like there?

I’m from the North of England. East Yorkshire specifically from a city called Hull. There’s a very tight knit scene there which is rich with creativity and community. I am proud to be from Hull. It is just tough to make many waves at the far end of the country so I moved to Birmingham to see what I can do there. So far, I’m seeing a huge industry here and excited to be a part of it

What is your latest release? (Album, EP, Single, Video)

I am currently building up to my debut album release in December, The Explicit//The Exploited. I just dropped the single Who Are We from it and it’s doing really well. I’m so excited for this record to drop and I am nervously anticipating the response from people. I think the single is a really good representation of the album, and a lot of people are connecting with it so far, for better or worse!

Who have been your greatest influences?

I don’t think I’d be remotely involved or passionate about this world I’m in without my family and the household I grew up in. We were very immersed in the scene during my growing years so 50% of my upbringing and education was from nu metal and pop punk of the late 90’s and 2000’s. There is no denying that my parents are significantly my biggest influences, and I continue to be incredibly close with them, they support every decision I make, even the dumb ones! 

What first got you into music?

Considering I grew up in such a musical household, I don’t think there was a moment I necessarily ‘got into’ music. Since forming a conscience, I have had a huge affinity towards music as a whole, and since I can remember I have always had the drive of living a life ripe with music 

If you could collaborate with a current band or musician who would it be?

I would absolutely love to work with all of or any member of Northlane. They are genuinely the most talented people in the scene as far as I’m concerned, and I think we would be able to make some absolute magic  

If you could play any festival in the world, which would you choose and why?

Growing up, Download festival has been a big goal I think. It was put on a huge pedestal due to where I grew up, the bands that played and how regular my family attended. I went when I was super young and it blew my mind, it was so cool being in a field FULL of people like me! And ever since then I think it’s been bookmarked as the ultimate goal for me, but I think Hellfest would be amazing and I think I’d fit very nicely in a lineup there!

What’s the weirdest gift you have ever received from a fan?

I’ve never received anything weird from a fan, honestly if someone gives me something or does something for me I am flattered, regardless of what it is. I’ve been given a lot of green and purple things before obviously, including socks, so maybe that is something people wouldn’t expect to be gifted necessarily. They were comfy though so I was happy

If you had one message for your fans, what would it be?

Every single one of them is an individual, not part of a fanbase, but I see them as a person and everyone else does too. You are the main character in a story and you’re cherished and an incredible person. Just because I may not have met you doesn’t mean I don’t care about you and if you’re a fan of my music, chances are you’re not doing great mentally so start strong and hang in there, we’re in this together 

If you could bring one rock star back from the dead, who would it be?

We have lost so many legends it’s getting harder and harder to answer that question. Tom Searle from Architects is maybe the biggest tragedy in music since I have been alive, however. He was such an important person to me and millions of others, and nothing about anyone’s passing is fair, but his was just cruel. I wish we could have seen him take over metal music, because he would’ve done, and I guess he kind of did. Just wish he could’ve seen it himself

What do you enjoy the most about being a musician? And what do you hate?

Making music is an experience like no other. No drug can come close to the buzz from making a song. It’s like being gagged and blindfolded throughout your life, but making music is the one opportunity you can finally see, speak, and express yourself. I will never stop making music because without it I really am nothing at all. So the creation process is 100% my favourite bit. But yeah, promoting it and filming dumb shit for TikTok is considerably the worst bit, fuck that 

If you could change one thing about the music industry, what would it be?

I think the playing field for creatives is so drastically uneven now. The advancements with technology means literally anyone can record a song in their bedroom and release it that night, which is amazing, but it forms a white noise of music now. Sadly, to stand out now it isn’t about music, it’s now who can get the biggest following online, or who knows the best people. You can have a little Mozart without any money and isn’t conventionally attractive or confident, who will receive nothing because the support is going to the guy with enough money to tattoo his face and post thirst traps to a beat he bought and threw some auto tuned vocals onto. The music industry has always been kind of shitty, but it’s getting worse, and I just hope we can bring it back to focussing on genuine talent as opposed to whoever the hell we are signing onto labels now 

Name one of your all-time favourite albums?

I think The Downward Spiral by Nine Inch Nails is the absolute best album ever recorded. I think it is genuinely perfect, every second has purpose and builds off the second before it. I adore it so much I rarely actually put it on. Only special occasions…or particularly sad occasions  

What’s best? Vinyl, Cassettes, CD’s or Downloads?

I would have always said CD’s, and I still probably do, but recently I gained a huge appreciation for vinyl too. As long as it isn’t downloaded then I’m all for it. I wish streaming didn’t exist, I miss getting up early and going to HMV when it opened and grabbing a new album and putting on in my dad’s car on the way home

What’s the best gig that you have played to date?

That’s really tough to be honest. My Birmingham show in July was really special. Being back on stage after a while of struggles was super cathartic, the crowd was amazing and the vibes were just great. I played some songs I hadn’t before and it was just a great time. I’m now just desperate to get these new songs to the stage! 

If you weren’t a musician, what else would you be doing?

I really don’t think there is another scenario for me. If I wasn’t a musician, I’d probably just be a gold-fish in a dentist’s office fish tank. Sat there without a thought behind my eyes. Watching people in the waiting room but not really processing anything. That isn’t too far from what I’m like in general to be fair 

Which five people would you invite to a dinner party?

Wow okay interesting…I’m gonna assume you mean real people so Kermit can’t come. I’d love to have a dinner party with like…Rob Zombie, Damien Leone and John Carpenter because they just get it and seem like very entertaining individuals. I’ll have Trent Reznor there too and I’ll throw in Craig Reynolds from The Downbeat podcast because he is a legend. It’ll be a good night I think

What’s next for you?

More music, more shows, more chaos. I’ll keep doing my thing and see how many people follow it! New record is out soon, and I have plenty coming next year too, so absolutely no slowing down for me! Hopefully will continue speaking to lovely people like yourselves and slowly getting my name on the radar

What Social Media / Website links do you use to get your music out to people? 

My LinkTree is the best way of getting all my social media, tickets and generally seeing what I’m up to! https://linktr.ee/Alfonsoconspiracy 

Time for a very British question now. As an alternative to the humble sandwich, is the correct name for a round piece of bread common in the UK either a Bap, a Barm (or Barm Cake), a Batch, a Bun, a Cob, a Muffin, a Roll, or a Tea Cake?

Okay so I grew up in Yorkshire then moved to the midlands and have spent time with folks from all over. Whenever I need to refer to…the bread in question I sort of just panic because I don’t know what it is anymore. I think I call it a Bread Bun?

Thank you for your time. Is there anything else that you would like to add?

Thank you for having me! I just hope people give me some time and check my stuff out via LinkTree! For my British fans I’m playing The Rainbow venue in Birmingham on the 28th of this month and would love to see you there! 

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