|
Known
to many as the breathtakingly talented guitarist in Angra and voted 'No.
1 Guitar Player in the World' by BURRN Magazine earlier this year, Kiko
Loureiro is a man who's music contains many colours. Now with two
solo releases under his belt we catch up with the man himself to find
out more ...
MM - Hey Kiko, thanks so much for doing this interview, you must be so
busy at the moment following the release of a new Angra album and your
fantastic new solo album, ‘Universo Inverso’.
Kiko -
Thanks a lot! That’s my pleasure.
MM - Earlier this year you toured
Japan and Europe with Angra as part of the bands 15th year celebration,
how did the tour go? Has there been a good reaction to ‘Aurora
Consurgens’?
Kiko - Very good! Japan audience is always incredible. In Europe as
well. Very good concerts in France and Italy. We also had a chance to go
to Moscow. I did guitar clinics in Greece and Slovenia, Italy and
France. It was a long trip, almost 2 months far from home,
but it was a really cool reaction for the album. In Europe was superb,
more than we expected.
MM - ‘No Gravity’ is a really amazing album, there's so many
different styles on it; When did you first decide to do a solo record?
Kiko - It is a long time dream. I
always had this wish to do a complete guitar album, very melodic,
and with Brazilian and Latin elements. The dream came true in 2004!
MM - If you had to choose a favourite track off of ’No Gravity’,
which would it be?
Kiko - I like all of them of course.
Each song has a meaning to me. All songs I put on the albums are very
important, and have histories behind.
MM - ‘Feliz Desilusão’ is perhaps one of the most beautiful songs
I've ever heard, is there any special meaning behind the song, or in
fact the other songs on the album? You seem to bring a lot of emotion
and feeling into your solo tracks, do they serve as more of a personal
journey than just songs?
Kiko - Yes! That’s why the name No
gravity. It is a sensation I got when playing guitar. I get
totally inside the music and I don’t think in anything else. 'Feliz
Desilusão' is one of them, very melodic and simple, but very
passionate. It was the only song I had before. I think I composed that
in 99.
MM - Your latest album ‘Universo Inverso’ has a completely different
sound to its predecessor, is a Jazz album something that you had wanted
to do for a long time, or did you just feel like having a change of
scene for a while?
Kiko - That’s my other side. I have
my traditional Brazilian side, jazzman side and the passion
about improvisation. I wanted to show people my other approach
regarding compositions and improvisation, sound and rhythm. For me it is
very important to show my way of playing rock with the Brazilian vibe
very clear.
MM - How have you found the response among Angra fans to your solo work?
Do you feel that you've maybe won new fans through your solo albums that
wouldn’t normally listen to Angra?
Kiko - Yes, because I can reach all
Angra fans and also the guitar fans. There is a big amount of guitar
fans all over the world that not necessary likes heavy metal.
MM - What kind of stuff are you listening to at the moment? Is there any
new bands which have impressed you recently?
Kiko - I’m listening a lot to
flamenco music. I like a lot Pain of Salvation talking about progressive
bands.
MM - At times in the past it looked like the end was near for Angra,
could you ever have imagined that things would turn out as well as they
have? What do you think has been the most important event in getting
Angra where it is now?
Kiko - I never imagine Angra, or me
could be so successful. It is hard to think about the future, I work for
the present always, trying to do my best. The obsessive passion about
music is the most important thing that brought Angra here.
MM - Angra are regarded by many as primarily a progressive band, you
push the boundaries of musicianship on each song. While writing, do you
guys purposely try to make the songs as challenging and advanced as you
do, or is that just how it naturally works out?
Kiko - I keep studying music and
listening to different kinds of sounds and musicians, and when I compose
it comes a bit naturally for one side and also I challenge myself to
find new sounds, colors and grooves.
MM - What would you say are your proudest moments over the last 15
years?
Kiko - The music we recorded on the
albums. Every one!
MM - Are there any plans for Angra to return to Europe or the UK soon,
maybe to some festivals during the summer? Or do you have any plans to
tour with a solo band?
Kiko - Not really. Only in 2008. I will
play in September in France and Italy in guitar festivals.
MM - What's next on the horizon for you? Have you started thinking about
a possible follow up to ‘Universo Inverso’ yet?
Kiko - I think that will be for 2008.
We are still touring ...
MM - Thanks again for talking Kiko, it's really great to see both you
and Angra making such cool music right now. Is there anything you'd like
to say to your fans in Europe?
Kiko - Thanks again! Thanks for
the support during Angra’s 15 years! See you in September.
MM - We'd like to thank
Kiko for taking the time out of his very busy schedule to chat with us
today and wish him every success with both his solo endeavours and with
Angra. You can find out more about Kiko and his music by checking
out his website - www.kikoloureiro.com.br
.
Interview
by Shadow Warrior. |