Gabriel De Souza

Tattoo Artist — Singapore

01Profile

A Gabriel De Souza Photo

03Interview

Introduce yourself
Hi, my name is Gabriel, I do tattoos and play guitar in a rock band.

Describe your style in 3 words?
Vintage, street, grunge.

What does the Fred Perry Shirt mean to you?
It reminds me of the working class culture and young rebellion with no rules or laws.

When did you first start tattooing?
At the age of 24.

What was the first tattoo you got, and the first that you've done?
The first tattoo I got was a heartagram done using a prison-style tattoo machine in my friend’s basement. (He wasn’t a professional tattoo artist hahaha.) The first tattoo I ever did was on my ex, it was a weird looking sheep king with clouds and lightning bolts coming out of it.

Tell us the story behind your favourite tattoo.
My favourite tattoo doesn’t really have any meaning behind it, it's a crocodile. I got it while on a 3-month tattoo guest spot tour last year around Europe. I just loved the work he was doing and added it to my collection. I guess all my tattoos are like time stamps, that take me back to the era when I got it.

What was the first song you played on repeat?
'Pretty Fly' by The Offspring.

Who is your ultimate British musical icon?
Liam Gallagher.

What was the best gig you've been to?
Every Time I Die in Singapore

What inspires you?
To leave a bit of my identity and energy behind in the extension of form and style in everything I create.

04Playlist Notes

'How To Fly' by Sticky Fingers.
I chose this song just cause I love the vibe.

'Welcome To Jamrock' by Damian Marley.
I like how it’s got a chill sound, but with gangster lyrical content. Plus he’s Bob’s son…

'Stargasm' by Mastodon.
One of my favourite rock bands of all time, I love how heavy, epic and spacey the song sounds.

'Bleed' by Meshuggah.
This is the most motivational song ever, I love how it just sounds like a machine or a running engine.

'Amerimacka' by Thievery Corporation.
Just love the musical arrangements in this song.

'Heart Don't Stand a Chance' by Anderson .Paak.
Love how versatile A .Paak is with his vocal styles & it's hella groovy.

'G.M. Vincent and I' by Comeback Kid.
Love the aggression and energy audible in his vocals, and the music that structures it.

'Underwater Bimbos From Outer Space' by Every Time I Die.
Love the dirty southern guitar riffs and the unique lyrical content from the singer.

'F.C.P.R.E.M.I.X.' by The Fall of Troy.
Thomas Erak is one of my favourite guitarists of all time.

'DRUGS!' by Rezz.
Caught her in Coachella, love the dark mystical dub groove.

'Trade-Off' by Flatbush Zombies.
One of my favourite contemporary rap groups at the moment.

'Rock Lobster' by The B-52’s.
The theme song to my life.

'Teardrop' by Massive Attack.
One of the all-time best songs to chill to.

'Maggot Brain' by Funkadelic.
How it sounds when guitars are making love with each other.

03Interview

Introduce yourself
Hi, my name is Gabriel, I do tattoos and play guitar in a rock band.

Describe your style in 3 words?
Vintage, street, grunge.

What does the Fred Perry Shirt mean to you?
It reminds me of the working class culture and young rebellion with no rules or laws.

When did you first start tattooing?
At the age of 24.

What was the first tattoo you got, and the first that you've done?
The first tattoo I got was a heartagram done using a prison-style tattoo machine in my friend’s basement. (He wasn’t a professional tattoo artist hahaha.) The first tattoo I ever did was on my ex, it was a weird looking sheep king with clouds and lightning bolts coming out of it.

Tell us the story behind your favourite tattoo.
My favourite tattoo doesn’t really have any meaning behind it, it's a crocodile. I got it while on a 3-month tattoo guest spot tour last year around Europe. I just loved the work he was doing and added it to my collection. I guess all my tattoos are like time stamps, that take me back to the era when I got it.

What was the first song you played on repeat?
'Pretty Fly' by The Offspring.

Who is your ultimate British musical icon?
Liam Gallagher.

What was the best gig you've been to?
Every Time I Die in Singapore

What inspires you?
To leave a bit of my identity and energy behind in the extension of form and style in everything I create.

04Playlist Notes

'How To Fly' by Sticky Fingers.
I chose this song just cause I love the vibe.

'Welcome To Jamrock' by Damian Marley.
I like how it’s got a chill sound, but with gangster lyrical content. Plus he’s Bob’s son…

'Stargasm' by Mastodon.
One of my favourite rock bands of all time, I love how heavy, epic and spacey the song sounds.

'Bleed' by Meshuggah.
This is the most motivational song ever, I love how it just sounds like a machine or a running engine.

'Amerimacka' by Thievery Corporation.
Just love the musical arrangements in this song.

'Heart Don't Stand a Chance' by Anderson .Paak.
Love how versatile A .Paak is with his vocal styles & it's hella groovy.

'G.M. Vincent and I' by Comeback Kid.
Love the aggression and energy audible in his vocals, and the music that structures it.

'Underwater Bimbos From Outer Space' by Every Time I Die.
Love the dirty southern guitar riffs and the unique lyrical content from the singer.

'F.C.P.R.E.M.I.X.' by The Fall of Troy.
Thomas Erak is one of my favourite guitarists of all time.

'DRUGS!' by Rezz.
Caught her in Coachella, love the dark mystical dub groove.

'Trade-Off' by Flatbush Zombies.
One of my favourite contemporary rap groups at the moment.

'Rock Lobster' by The B-52’s.
The theme song to my life.

'Teardrop' by Massive Attack.
One of the all-time best songs to chill to.

'Maggot Brain' by Funkadelic.
How it sounds when guitars are making love with each other.