Hi! Can you describe the inspiration behind the creation of “Sem Palavras”?
A: I’ve been writing this album for as long as I can remember… so I’m not sure I can say there is one specific or focused source of inspiration. I think the common thread throughout these pieces is that they were a way to express something that was happening in life using the acoustic guitar as a medium… or perhaps the act of sitting with a guitar and playing it as a way to process, to feel what I need to at that particular moment.
The album “Sem Palavras” is described as a musical haven that invites relaxation and serenity. How did you achieve this atmosphere in your music?
A: I remember playing Last Days and a couple other songs early on and noticing how the room got quiet. That became sort of a benchmark to which all the compositions on the album were held up to. That quality in the songwriting itself that made them belong in the same album. I guess a little bit comes from my “voice” or style when playing the nylon string guitar. Not something I can explain with words… more of a relationship developed throughout my life as a player, musician, artist…
The guitar plays a significant role in your album. As an accomplished guitarist, how did you utilize this instrument to add depth and richness to each track?
A: You could say that (laughs)… there are no overdubs or added instruments on this album except the nylon string guitar so to me the depth comes from the two elements I mentioned before – the composition itself and my way of playing it. It was my hope to be able to convey this richness and depth you talk about but I wasn’t sure I would or could pull it off until I heard the recordings for the first time. On a technical note, since there’s only one instrument, there is lots of space, sonically speaking, to fill and hopefully we were able to present a natural, organic, deep and rich sound.
The track “Last Days” was written during a period of deep change in your life. Can you share more about the emotions and experiences that influenced this piece?
A: Sure… it’s about the end of a cycle in my life. A person who was at the time and still is great friend was moving to another city and that aspect of life, of constant change, of friendships, relationships that fulfill their purpose and move on to the next stage of experience really hit me. I’ve always been a very melancholic person so it was fertile ground in which this song just sorted out.
The album “Sem Palavras” is instrumental. What led you to choose this format for the album?
A: I didn’t choose it. The songs happened, as they do… and my question was whether I had the courage to put an album like this out or not or when. That is why sat in my hard drive for so long. I wasn’t ready to do it, either consciously or unconsciously but since I had a book of poetry being published with the name of Words Only (Só Palavras – Ed. Versiprosa) I thought it’d be great to have them both come out at the same time.
How does “Sem Palavras” compare to your previous works? What makes it unique?
A: Well, it’s instrumental for one. Then, it’s instrumental but I believe it can be simple and complex at different times. Not sure what style it’d be best categorized as… new age? Americana? Brazilian? It has elements of all of of those but I don’t think it can be labeled as just one thing… Technically, it’s not a display of virtuose in my opinion. They’re tunes, lullabies, hummable melodies played in a very vulnerable way. No other instruments but the guitar, singular voice as if in poem, spoken with musical notes.
Can you talk about the process of creating the album? How long did it take, and what were some of the challenges you faced?
A: I’ve had some of these for over twenty years… it’s been a work in progress for long time. An idea that someday I’d put out an album of my acoustic guitar lullabies. But as I said, these songs waited for their moment. And it came to be that once I had a release date for the book, then I booked the first recording session for the album. I was spending time with my family in Brazil and phoned my good friend and great engineer Tiago Becker, who I was roommates with back in the early 2000’s. We recorded five songs at this beautiful studio in Porto Alegre, in the south of Brazil called Transcendental Audio. I came back to L.A. and took a step back to gain perspective. A few months later, I was in Mexico recording another album and started listening to the first batch of songs and realized we had something special. I booked another trip to Brazil and we did another two days of recording, this time with the specific purpose of finishing this album. After choosing the best takes, I sent them back to Tiago for mixing. I kept listening to the recordings whenever I’d drive somewhere and also sent them to a few friends for their input and one question: “Do you hear anything else on it?” But the more I drove around and listened, the clearer it became that it was done and although I could add a number of other elements, I felt I shouldn’t… that was biggest challenge. To accept what the songs were saying. That it was done. On a smaller note, getting the sound just right was a process in itself. As I said, since the guitar is the only instrument, we had all the sonic space to work with and to do that where it still sounded organic, natural is sometimes, easier said than done… but I believe we did well.
So, to be clear, Ive had most of these for over twenty years. But the process of recording, mixing, mastering and releasing this album took a little over a year.
How has your experience working with major stars influenced the creation of “Sem Palavras”?
A: Interesting question… Haven’t thought much about this. Having worked with the artists I’ve been fortunate to have worked with has taught me so much and has contributed to my growth as a person, musician, artist, human being, etc… One memory that comes to mind is of a rehearsal with k.d.lang where after playing through the set, she voiced her predilection for my nylon string playing and asked me if I could do the gig with just that guitar as opposed to the sideman approach of playing multiple axes, depending on what the recording was done with… I knew instantly how big of a lesson that was and that did inform me on the aspheric choice for this album a little bit.
The track “Lullaby to Gabriela” stands out in the album. Can you share the story behind this piece?
A: That’s very kind of you and I’m glad you connected with it. This song came about while I was sitting on the floor of the living room I slept in, holding a dial up phone to one ear and guitar in my hands, listening to one my best friends, an older brother that life gave me, talk about the birth of his first daughter, Gabriella. As I was listening, I was playing and the song just happened… after hanging up, I wrote the the melody and chords on manuscript paper and gave him that as a gift. It was a beautiful moment.
What do you hope listeners will take away from “Sem Palavras”?
A: A few moments of calm, contemplation, silence, perhaps relief from this bombardment of information and stress that we are all living under. And the knowledge or awareness that they can go back to that place of tranquility anytime they want or need to. It’s justa click away.