01-Hello Ricardo, how are you doing?Thanks for the opportunity for this interview, please talk about your beggining with music and who are your biggest influences?
Hello! I am great thanks God! I started getting in touch with music pretty early, by the age of 5. I came from a very musical family which everyone plays an instrument, so I have always received support from my family, by this age my mother decided to take me to a music course for kids. From there up to now I’ve never stopped. Talking about influences, there are several, but I will mention the most important for my playing actual. Here in Brazil: Edu Ardanuy, Juninho Afram, Frank Solari, Sergio Buss and Sydnei Carvalho. And from other countries: Steve Vai, Paul Gilbert, Andy Timmons, Lincoln Brewster and Scott Henderson.
02- Who were your instrument teachers?
Despite of starting new at music and studying other instruments like violin , for example, I started studying at electric guitar by myself. 8 or 9 years after I decided to take up some lessons with a teacher from my city named Sansão. But I only had 4 lessons with him and after that he said that he had nothing to teach me and I should develop what I already knew. Some years after, I studied functional harmony with Ivaldo Maciel (professor from EM&T Vitória), and in 2006 I took a Master Class with Mozart Mello and Joe Moghrabi which helped me a lot.
03- Please talk a little about your former projects.
Well, during all my musical career , I played with several bands and singers, so I will just mention the ones who stand out. As a sideman I backed the singer Allesandra Rangel for 2 years. I also had the opportunity to play with a group named Kades Singers and the singer Mariana Valadão from the Ministério Diante do Trono from Belo Horizonte/Brazil who are well known in the gospel scene. Today I play for the pop rock singer Flávio Lacerda. When it comes about recording, I have done several works, but the work with Flávio is the one who stands outs. I have already recorded with singers and band from my area.
04- How did you get support from the companies who support your work today?
In 2001 , I started to promote some workshops in stores which I had a partnership from my city, and slowly the things start to happen. Some companies started to get in touch with me interested in doing a sponsorship. I believe the thing is about working hard. Inclusively, several people ask me about it on my classes and workshops and I always mention that the support from a company is a partnership, a partnership has advantages for both sides, from the musician who uses the product and from the company which is going to have the brand developed in the events. So, It cannot work if the musician wants to endorse some company and doesn’t play live, only in his/her room, the musician has to show up. Including the marketing question which several musicians are missing the point. They don’t know how to sell their image, and it is very important. Today I endorsee Tagima, Nig Music, Basso Straps and Rob’s Cables, and where I go, I show the name of this brands. Internet is a nice too to promote too, but the whole thing is not only about it. It is not only about recording a cover inside your room and posting on youtube, it is important to have a solid career.
05- What’s your gear for live and study situations?
I use guitars Tagima TG 735 Plus and a TG 635, Nig Pedals Amp Simulator, Shred Pro, Path Finder, Dual Chorus, Dual Drive, Multi Fuzz, XTreme Distortion, Boss DD3 and Tu2, MXR Phaser, Oner GV1 and Fat Boy. When it comes about amplifiers, I use a George Tube C30 for concerts and workshops when it ‘s possible to take and a Onerr Block 15 for lessons.The cables are Rob’s and some from Santo Angelo. More information about it, visite my website:www.ricardosoares.net
06- How do you see the Brazil’s guitarist scene? And how a professional musician can make a living by music?
I think the whole musical scene has grown a lot in the last years , here in Brazil. It has a lot to grow a lot, but it’s way better than some years ago. When it comes to make a living, there are several ways. One of them is to teach, but several musicians aren’t that patient and don’t like to do that, they can work recording or playing as side mans. Workshops and Clinics are also cool, but it takes a lot of experience to share with the audience.
07-Talk about your Demo CD which got a great response?
This Cd is actually a preview from my Official one which I am recording. It includes five songs and I did this due to ExpoMusic 2007 (music trade show in Brazil), and as the audience has always asked for this material in my workshops and clinics, I thought it would be cool to have a promoting material and at the same time to attend the personell’s request. The drums are samplers, but at the official CD who is doing the drums is Luiger Lima which has already recorded with a lot of guys! Lol.
08- Please, talk about the Cd recorded with the Singer Flávio Lacerda named Bem-Aventurados?What’s the response so far?
When I was invited to do the guitars for His Cd , I didn’t know the songs. I got in the studio and as soon as I learned a part I recorded it. I thought it was cool, because it turned out to be something very spontaneous. I recorded the ten songs in two sections, 5 hours. What is cool is that the producer, Filipe Dias, left me free to decided the solos and tones. At first sight I thought it would be impossible to play with him after the album, but since I left my old band at the beggining of the year, I could start supporting him at live concerts. The Cd is fouces on pop rock, but there are good arrangements and great solos. Who wants to know the work, visit the website: www.flaviolacerda.com.br.
09- Thanks for the interview! Please leave a message for our viewers.
I am the one who has to thank. Believe and be persitent which sometime your dreams can come true! Who wants to know more about my work, just have to visit the links below:
www.ricardosoares.net
www.myspace.com/ricsoares
www.palcomp3.com.br/ricardosoares
www.youtube.com/ricardosoares