Clubs / women in music
A For Alpha: ‘I definitely feel Bristol’s had an influence on me and my sound’
Abby Gray, otherwise known as A For Alpha, has lived in Bristol for over ten years and has been a DJ for just as long.
She has become well known in the city’s club scene for her 90s-inspired House, Garage and Techno DJ sets and has recently set up her own record label, Alpha’s Trip Records.
Fans can also hear her every other week on the first and third Friday of each month from 5 to 7pm on her radio show at SWU.fm.
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Later this year she’ll appear at Love Saves The Day and Madruga Festival, among others, but before all that she’ll be joining Bristol24/7 at our International Women’s Day celebration on March 8.
A For Alpha has lived in Bristol for over ten years – photo: A For Alpha
On March 8, Bristol24/7 will be hosting a series of panels and talks from female leaders and entrepreneurs at the M Shed, from 11.30am to 4.30pm.
After the day’s events, guests will be treated to an afterparty at the Bristol Museum & Art Gallery, from 6.30pm to 1am where several DJs, including A For Alpha, will perform.
Bristol24/7 caught up with her ahead of the event, to find out more about her career and how she’s found success in such a male-dominated industry.
What is your experience being a female DJ and producer in the Bristol scene?
“I think my experience being a woman in a very male-dominated industry has definitely been up and down. I think, when I first began DJing and producing just over ten years ago, that gap was a lot bigger. When I’d be going to a club, I was definitely the only woman there and could be quite intimidated sometimes.
“Even now, actually, as a producer there’s times where I feel I really have to prove myself all the time. I think there’s a weird feeling for a lot of women in having to prove yourself and earn your space so much more than men would have to. I do think that gradually is getting better though. I mean, even within my time of being in the industry, I have seen better balance with genders in lineups and in releases that are coming out.
“However, I think there are a lot more spaces and places where women and non-binary people can learn to DJ or produce in a safe environment. So, I feel that gap is gradually getting better.”
A For Alpha loves everything 90s – her sound blends elements of House, Garage, Trance and Techno – photo: A For Alpha
How do you think the Bristol scene has shaped your identity as a DJ and producer?
“I definitely feel Bristol’s had an influence on me and my sound. Just being around different people that are here and sharing music together, you know, whether we’re playing back-to-back together in a club or maybe on the radio station or just at a mate’s house. Playing when the night has ended or something at the afters or maybe at the pre-drinks – I think that has definitely helped to shape my sound.
“It’s quite bassy sound here, in Bristol. I’m obviously more on the house side of things, but I definitely feel like that has bled over. For example, one thing that was actually quite cool was a project I did last year. It came out on my record label, Alpha’s Trip Records, with me and three of my friends who all live in Bristol. We’d all gotten into this hard groove techno sound at the same time, which was quite big in Amsterdam and Dublin.
“We were hearing these producers in these other places releasing this stuff and we wanted to our own version. So, we created some tracks in our own sort of Bristol way and then released them as percussive cuts, AT002, my second release on Alpha’s Trip.”
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Who are your biggest influences?
“I’d have to say it’s a lot of older producers, really. People like Terry Francis or Nathan Coles who invented Tech House. When I try to create my music, I’m trying to emulate that sound as much as possible. And I think that when you’re doing that with modern equipment and things like that, it is just gonna sound newer.
“There’s also this amazing producer called Helen T. She was a really, really, really sick garage producer. I don’t know what she’s doing now, but she used to run her own studio and programmed so many sick garage releases under so many aliases. Like, she’s definitely been, a big influence for me as well, like, with her sound.”
“But then I feel there are modern producers who are blending that old and new sound as well. People like Sally C – she’s really, really sick. Like Saoirse, Shanti Celeste, I feel like a lot of those people are kind of on that vibe, and I’m definitely very influenced by their sound.”
You also have a SWU.fm community radio show and run your own label. How do both shape your connection with your audience?
“With SWU it’s a funny one because you’re just in a room on your own playing music and you’re chatting. And sometimes I’m like, is anyone even listening? Some people will message me on Instagram or I’ll get a text or phone call. It’s really nice to get feedback. I’ve had people listening to the show all over the world really and it has even led to more bookings for me.
“It’s been a really great experience because it’s helped me find out what my sound is and work on it. When you’re performing, and you’ve got an audience in front of you, it’s amazing and I love that. In a club or festival you’re bouncing off their energy and really working with what they’re feeling. But when you’re in the SWU.fm studio and you’re on your own, it’s just your energy and you’re in your own flow.
“I’ve built a real fan base through working on that radio show, and I’m really, really grateful for it. So, big up SWU. It’s great to have such a cool platform championing underground music in Bristol.
And, with the record label, I’m selling records to people who enjoy my music. I’ve played in other countries where people have come up to me and said, ‘Oh, I love this release’, so it’s really cool for it to spread that wide.
“And when you run a record label it’s not just that, it’s also collaborating with other artists. So, people who want to release on the record label and things like that. It’s a great way to build those connections as well.”
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You will be performing at the Bristol24/7 event at the Bristol Museum & Art Gallery to celebrate International Women’s Day. What does this event, and International Women’s Day, mean to you?
“Celebrating these things is really important. Obviously, with the event as well, it’s not just we’ve got some DJs who are coming to play, but there’s also panel talks and things like that. I think all of those parts are really important.
“So many times when I DJ I’m approached by other women who are like, ‘It’s so sick to see a female DJ and it’s made me inspired to feel that I can do this’. When I was younger, and still now, all of my favourite DJs were women.
“I think it is very inspiring and it does really make you feel like that dream could be your reality as well. So yeah, I think it’s really important to have a day celebrating what we’ve achieved so far and pushing the boundaries to see what can we do next.”
Bristol24/7 will be hosting a series of panels and talks on March 8 to mark International Women’s Day
What is your advice for women trying to break into DJing and music production?
“I think there is definitely still a much bigger gap there (in production) than there is with DJing. When I first tried to produce, I found it really hard and I didn’t really have anyone I could to talk to about it.
“I used to get really frustrated about it and then I would just not do it for a while and then I would do it and then not do it and then I would do it and then not do it. But I think my advice is just be persistent with it. You will get to the point where you want to get to and you’ll get to the point where you can hear what you wanna hear and create that in your own way.
“There’s loads of great free resources online that you can use, which is something I used to use a lot, like YouTube videos and things like that. It’s also about reaching out to friends: if you do have friends that produce it’s fine to ask them for advice. It’s fine to just send someone a tune and ask what they think of it or how it can be improved.
“I still get, like, ‘Oh, I don’t know if this is ready’, or I’m like, ‘Don’t judge this’. But it’s so important to share. That feedback can lead to you collaborating with people. It can lead to lots of opportunities. Not being afraid to just share my work out there with people, I think that’s been something that’s really, really helped me on my journey.”
A For Alpha will be performing at Love Saves the Day alongside Giggs and Nia Archives – photo: A For Alpha
What’s next for you? Can we expect new releases? Collaborations? Festivals?
“I’ve got a few bits that are coming up. I’m trying to work a lot harder on finishing up more tunes. I’ve got quite a few that are in the works. My next release is actually gonna be coming out on my record label, Alpha’s Ttrip Records.
“I’ve also got a really cool EP by Joe Koshin, which I’m doing a remix of, so that’s gonna be coming out soon. I’ve got a track coming out on at some point as well. I’m also looking to just finish up some releases at the moment because I’d like to do another EP.
“And festivals, I’ve got some really cool ones coming up like Love Saves The Day. That is always one of my favorites. I’m playing on a really cool stage so I’m really excited for that.
“I’m also playing at Love International in Croatia which is also run by Team Love so big up to those guys. Got Madruga Festival, Stowaway Festival. And there are some more things that are in the works, but I can’t tell you yet because they haven’t been announced!”
A For Alpha will appear at the Bristol24/7 International Women’s Night party at Bristol Museum & Art Gallery, which runs from 6.30pm – 1am on March 8. The first time the museum will open up for an event of this kind, it’s an exclusive opportunity to enjoy a rave in this unique setting.
Also on the bill are dance and circus performances, and shows from A For Alpha, ALICE Project, Bitch, Please! and Pammy. For more information and tickets, visit www.headfirstbristol.co.uk/checkout/e123092
Main photo: A For Alpha
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