01- Hi Michel! How are you doing? Thanks once more for this opportunity. Firstly, how was the procedure to compose the new CD and why did you choose this name?
Thanks for the opportunity, Rafael.
The songs "Cha-Cha Malícia", "4/3", "Merengue Maneiro" and the beginning of "Evolu-Samba" were composed in the time I used to play on the BlenBlen’s Mondays (a PUB in São Paulo, nowadays closed down) with Arismar do Espírito Santo, Alexandre Mihanovich and Alex Buck. We went on with that up to December 2006 when the pub was closed down.
The theme “Petrucciani” which I offer to the great piano player Michel Petrucciani was composed during a class in 2003 I think, and after some years I did the beginning.
"Então...”, "Light", "Essência" e "Relax in Apucarana" were composed between 2002 and 2005.
I just got good themes to play and presented them to the group: Cássio Ferreira, Thiago Alves e Serginho Machado (on CD, there’s also the participation of Raphael Ferreira on "Então...").
I put the name of the band (and consequently the CD) "Michel Leme & A Firma". It was the first name that came up to my mind and it means guys who are really reliable, which means they are musicians who accepted the challenge of playing for many years here in São Paulo for a very little and ridiculous sum of money, but aiming to Record our work. I’m not very fond of the idea of recording a cd with a team for each track or calling famous musicians just to claim they have participated in my cd...I have always liked playing with a real band, which does really know the songs and, at the moment of recording, really plays.
02- Please, Talk a bit about each song and in your opinion, what is the message they bring to audiences?
Generally the songs go through varied rhythms and styles: : sambas ("Evolu-Samba", "Essência" and "Então"), afoxé ("Relax em Apucarana"), jazz ("Light"), Latin rhythms ("Cha-Cha Malícia", "Merengue Maneiro"), afro ("4/3") and a waltz ("Petrucciani").There are many tints during the process with each song due to the fact we’re listening to each other and reacting with the fairest way without choosing the easiest way as we want the musical way one. And it brings many surprises, making the cd more pleasant.
Beside it, the melodies are possible to be sung and they got in our memories. The simple structures of the themes get you free to make improvise, we recorded that live at a studio, without overdubs and all of it was made in the first or second take...( except the “Light” which got a third one).
Each person will feel the songs in a different way but I do believe it gets in people the feeling of something done with honesty, at least.
03-The recording of the album was carried out at Nimbus Studio with all of you playing together. What’s the main difference in this kind of work as nowadays people do it by recording track by track? What equipment was used for recoding this album?
We played together in the biggest room at Nimbus Studios (Lapa- SP) without earphone. It makes the group reaction be much deeper. We were listening to each as in the very first (and single) rehearsal or as in the pubs we’d been playing up to when we recorded. So I think this is the difference: 4 guys getting songs really together. We do not pretend we play together. We do play together and what I take as the most important, we really like to listen to each other.
My equipment:
-I used an amplifier Rotstage model CJ100, which was the reference to make my signature model named Libra;
- effects: a digital reverb (I won’t say the brand as they haven’t sponsored me) and a Planet Waves Chromatic Guitar Tuner;
- the guitar is the one I’ve been using since 2000 ( no names just like the reverb);
- D'Addario Chromes .012 strings – with the first E being .013 and the G string unwrapped .022.
04-What’s the biggest difference between recording a CD nowadays and in the time of your first CD when it comes about technology?
The technology is almost the same we had when we recorded “UMDOISTRIO” in 2002 which I consider as being my first cd. What changes is the equipment of each studio, caption, the technicians, the musicians...
The experience in recording, mixing and masterizing various Works does make the difference as well.
In this one, I was lucky for working with San Issobe of Nimbus who let us free and got a good caption. The quality in this cd is much higher than the other ones I’d gotten before. The Idea is improve more and more.
05-How does it feel about being a totally independent musician and who has given you support so that this cd has come true?
Being independent means being free as a musician and limited about money. But, honestly I prefer this way. Music is always in the first place.
To get this cd I had the partnership with D'Addario, Rotstage, Playtech and Souza Lima Music Conservatory.
It’ also important to mention that Nimbus got us a nice promotion which helped us a lot, and the support of the musicians was really, really important.
06- Where can people purchase your cd?
By visiting my website www.michelleme.com you can purchase and pay by making deposit in checking account and have it delivered in your house via post service (registered letter).
Tratore is distributing part of the cds and soon it will be possible to pay by credit cards on websites such as Amazon.com, Itunes, etc. Beside it on the website www.tratore.com.br there is a list of stores which already have the cd available.
07-How has the audience reacted to this album and what are your plans for the future?
The cd was released last October 15 but has already gotten me lots of happiness- most of them come from lay people. You see, there are songs that last almost 10 minutes and some people say they loved and have listened to the whole cd more than 2 or 3 times in sequence! This is great!
My plans: live with dignity in this bestial capitalism system and always get better as a person in all aspects.
08- Thank you very much. We did appreciate it. We wish the best for you work. Please leave your conclusions!
Rafael, the attitude you had to initiate the spreading of independent honest works is actually a good example to be followed.
Just wonder if all kinds of media had this independence and authentic...
Congratulations!
So to you and everybody who is reading this interview, I wish you health, peace and a creative life tuned with Our Real Essence.
Visit my website www.michelleme.com and stay in touch.
Hugs,
Michel Leme
Website: http://michelleme.com
My Space: http://myspace.com/michellemeguitarist
Blog: http://michelleme.blogspot.com
Videos: http://youtube.com/michellemeguitarrist