Alfa Mist has always aimed to explore new narratives with each project. Raised in East London and currently based in South London, the producer consistently shifts his musical style between albums, from experimenting with boom bap hip-hop to embarking on cosmic jazz journeys. His latest album, ‘Roulette,’ represents his most ambitious work to date—a captivating cycle of songs with a sci-fi focus, envisioning a world where reincarnation is central to society.
In a friendly and curious conversation over Zoom with Clash, Alfa expresses enthusiasm for discussing his favorite manga, One Piece, alongside his new album, skillfully weaving together various aspects of his creative vision. “Whenever I sit down to create an album,” he reflects during our talk, “I aim to express everything within me. I don’t believe a person can be confined to a single identity. While some might choose to focus on one theme for their album, I prefer to explore what’s currently within me. That is the essence of my album.”
Alfa Mist is deeply intrigued by storytelling—not limited to sci-fi, he clarifies, but fiction overall. In ‘Roulette,’ he delves deeper into narrative than ever before, creating interconnected short stories, and is even developing a comic book that reflects the album's narrative.
“I typically begin with a question,” he shares. “I started crafting short stories and thought, let me turn this into an album. It’s not precisely a soundtrack because I was producing the album concurrently. The mindset I had while writing those stories influenced my musical direction as well.”
Clash has been following Alfa Mist’s journey for nearly a decade, as he consistently delivers a compelling album every two years. “That’s just how long it takes me,” he explains. “It’s like clockwork for me. Every couple of years, I know my experiences must culminate in an album.”
At its core, ‘Roulette’ features some of Alfa Mist’s most bold and insightful compositions. It seamlessly fits in both club settings and theatre spaces, moving from the rich arrangement of ‘You’re Not Blind’ to the confident vibe of ‘From East.’ “I aim to express everything instrumentally, allowing people to interpret it as they wish. Before prompting thought, music should first inspire feeling.”
Collaborating closely with a select group of artists, such as Kaya Thomas-Dyke, who provides bass, vocals on ‘Always Be,’ and cover art, Alfa sought out additional voices for his musical tapestry. Homeboy Sandman’s rap on the opener ‘Reincarnation’ significantly outlines the futuristic vision of Track One, Side One.
“With each collaborator, I simply provided a few sentences. I told everyone they didn’t have to write based on that, but sharing my ideas would influence their approach. All they needed to do was listen.”
This sense of freedom permeates his studio sessions. Notably, with Homeboy Sandman, the results were exceptional right from the start. “He’s one of those brilliant rappers… he knows how to create vivid imagery.”
Alfa adopts a meditative approach to music creation, allowing each note to resonate within him, ensuring the results reflect his essence. “Even when producing beats,” he notes, “you often work alone… so it becomes a meditative experience. Listening to something on repeat can make you lose track of time!”
Creating music in its own unique space, Alfa Mist’s interpretation of jazz and hip-hop is transformative. ‘Roulette’ explores themes of sci-fi and afro-futurism, prompting an inevitable reference to Sun Ra. “Absolutely, he inspires me,” the London-based artist affirms. “It’s his outlook on life that resonates. To me, the term jazz signifies existence—it's more about a way of living than just chords and technicalities.”
Every listener will find a distinct experience in ‘Roulette.’ While there is certainly an overarching story, there is ample room within the narrative for diverse interpretations. “Concepts are beneficial,” he reflects, “because they inherently present constraints, and it’s within the struggle against these limitations that the music emerges. That’s when an artist reveals their true self.”
“There are many layers to this,” he continues, “and achieving clarity on it all has been challenging. But my hope is that listeners feel comfortable. I want them to enjoy this music. I essentially wish to take them on an emotional rollercoaster—having moments of calm, while also exploring uncharted territory, and revisiting familiarity at times. That’s the goal of my music.”
This week, Alfa Mist will showcase his music at London’s prestigious Royal Albert Hall, an event marking another milestone in a creatively evolving career. “It’s truly surreal that I’m performing there!” he exclaims. “My background feels so distant from that place. It’s honestly… a bit absurd, but in a wonderful way!” Looking to expand the ‘Roulette’ universe, Alfa Mist’s multifaceted work will continue to evolve in the months ahead. He
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Alfa Mist has always avoided repeating the same narrative. The producer, who grew up in East London and is now based in South London, consistently varies his approach between