Bristol-based producer Allflaws is an electronic, industrial and trip-hop project created in 2004 by producer, vocalist and songwriter Gabriel Curran. He is the only official member of Allflaws and is completely responsible for its direction.
The Allflaws sound fuses an eclectic range of electronic genres and is built primarily around the rapping and singing of Gabriel but since the arrival of Allflaws, they have gained respect as one of the most progressive British underground acts and have been mentioned in the same breath as ‘Bristol Sound’ prodigies Massive Attack, Portishead, Roni Size and Tricky.
See our exclusive interview with Gabriel Curran below
Looking back, what were some of your earliest entries into music appreciation? And music production?
As a teenager I really got into hip hop and became pretty obsessed with it. At the time it just seemed like it was the most rebellious and edgy music out there. It had an attitude and it was so creative and different at the time. It was the first music to come along since punk that really put a middle finger up to the establishment and questioned the way things were politically and socially. In particular I loved Public Enemy for their raw, discordant and subversive sounds and lyrics. Then a few years into that I started broadening my music experience and listening to other genres like industrial, rock, trip hop, breakbeat and jungle. All of this informed my sound when I started producing music.
Give us a sense of the music scene where you are based.
I’m from Bristol. Home of musicians like Massive Attack, Portishead, Roni Size, Smith and Mighty, and of course the street artist Banksy. It’s a great city for music, art and nightlife. The Bristol sound is pretty well known for its deep and dark dubby bass lines. I definitely think that aspect has crept into my music.
What key pieces of software/gear are you using to define your sound?
Ableton is my weapon of choice for producing tracks. It’s’ great for brainstorming ideas and getting them down quickly. I also try to use as much analog equipment as I can to keep my music making experience organic and hands on. That said it’s all about the results. You can have the best studio equipment in the world but without imagination and ability it’s hard to make something good. So I’m more inclined to have less equipment these days so that I challenge myself to think more creatively with the tools that I have.
What are some of your key musical influences?
My god this could be an endless list. Here goes anyway.
Nine Inch Nails, Public Enemy, Cypress Hill, Henry Rollins, Nirvana, Pink Floyd, Radiohead, Massive Attack, Portishead, The Verve, Talk Talk, Happy Mondays, Roni Size, The The, Rage Against The Machine, EL- P, Wu Tang Clan, House Of Pain, Incubus, Tricky, Deftones, Unkle, DJ Krush, Sneaker Pimps, The Prodigy, Aphex Twin, Goldie and loads more
What kind of relationship do you have with the internet? How does this inform your artistic expression?
I think the internet is totally great if used wisely. It’s just a huge digital library of resources and learning. These days It’s such a vital and necessary tool to disseminate music, and without it you will find it hard to get an audience. It really allows artists to bypass the corporate oligarchs of the industry and go directly to the fan base. This is so empowering and liberating and really puts artists in control of their material. This has definitely helped my artistic expression as I’ve really been able to exercise my creativity with no restraints, and get my music out to the people.
What would you like to achieve with your music? What does success look like to you?
I would like to make music that is in some way timeless, and that is still being listened to after I have gone. That to me is a great achievement for any artist. It kind of leaves a piece of that person around long after they have passed away. Doing that with a piece of music is amazing. Sounds a bit pretentious but It kind of immortalizes that artist and keeps a bit of their soul left behind for others to experience.
Success for me is actively following my true path and passion. It’s the act of actually doing it and making it, and not worrying about getting commercial validation or notoriety.
In my mind if I’m making and creating then I am successful.
What has been a memorable highlight of your career so far?
Making enough money from record sales to pay the rent and bills and quit the 9 til 5. That to me was like landing on the f…..king moon lol
If you could work with, or perform alongside any artist of your choice, who would it be?
It would have to be Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails. A true visionary and genius in my eyes.
If you weren’t a musician what would you be?
I’m really not sure. I can’t imagine doing anything else as music is so deeply ingrained in me.
However I am a very focused and driven person, and I do like having a passion or something to strive for. So whatever it would be, I would give it my all and try to master it as much as possible.
What can we expect from you in the near future? Any upcoming projects or gigs in the pipeline that you would like to tell us about?
Lots of new music videos are coming out for the latest album “Mysterium”, an Allflaws documentary is underway, plus some new singles and EPs will be released this year on Derelict State Records.
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