Kevin Vieira is a talented Brazilian guitarist and composer who while still very young has more than 10 years of musical experience. Kevin Vieira released his second solo career single on Friday, October 8th by the DyMM P&M label, the single is called “Wired” and follows the same line as the first – a completely sentimental touch with a mix and fully vintage master, to better demonstrate the artist’s expressiveness.
- Can you tell us a bit about where you come from and how you got started?
Kevin Vieira: Hi everyone, I’m Kevin Vieira, guitarist from Curitiba, Parana. I had my first contact with the guitar very young through one of the teachers at my school, it was through conversations with him that I discovered my passion for music and the instrument.
- What inspired you and made you want to learn guitar in the first place?
Kevin Vieira: What always inspired me, even today, was the inexplicable desire to express feelings through music and art, I’m fascinated by that.
- Who were your first and strongest musical influences?
Kevin Vieira: Marty Friedman, Paul Gilbert and Tony Macalpine.
- What was your first guitar?
Kevin Vieira: My first guitar was a gift from my mother, a strato from the “Memphis” brand, I learned a lot with it.
- For most artists, originality is first preceded by a phase of learning and, often, emulating others. What was this like for you? How would you describe your own development as an artist and music maker, and the transition towards your own style?
Kevin Vieira: I believe that diving deeply into influences is very important for a musician in the process of learning, but for me the most important path was after that, when it was necessary to find my style. The good thing is that this process happened so naturally, because when you notice that the notes come out of your heart first and then into your fingers, you find your style.
- What does your new release, out via the DyMM P&M label, “Wired”, mean to you?
Kevin Vieira: The connections we make in our life affect our entire path. The people, situations and things we let into our lives affect our path much more than we realize. That’s the kind of feeling I want to get across in this song, the power of our connection.
- Tone-wise, what was your recording setup like on “Wired”? Amps, pedals, guitar, etc.?
Kevin Vieira: I used a LTD JH600, EMG 85 and 81 going to a BOSS overdrive, straight into the input of a peavey bandit (I think it’s a nice distortion).
- Could you describe your creative processes? How do start, and go about shaping ideas into a completed song? Do you usually start with a tune, beat or story in your head?
Kevin Vieira: I usually create a main melody and then build the music around that idea.
- What has been the most difficult thing you’ve had to endure in your career or life so far, and how did you overcome the event?
Kevin Vieira: Adversities always happen and will continue to happen, it helps me a lot to turn all this into art. But I believe my main fight is with myself, not getting lost.
- What would you consider a successful, proud or significant point in your career so far?
Kevin Vieira: Besides the records I released with my band (Exylle) my first solo show was something really touching for me.
- If someone has never heard your music, which 5 keywords would you personally use to describe what you and your music is all about?
Kevin Vieira: Feelings, Instrumental, Melody, Rock and Fast Licks. Oh… That’s six.
- With social media having a heavy impact on our lives and the music business in general, how do you handle criticism, haters and/or naysayers in general? Is it something you pay attention to, or simply ignore?
Kevin Vieira: I think… When you point your finger at someone there are ten pointed at you.
- Which aspects of being an independent artist excites you most and which aspects discourages you most?
Kevin Vieira: The aspect that excites me the most is the freedom of musical expression. I’m discouraged by the lack of funding for the amazing work we have in the independent scene.
- If you had a choice to go on tour with any acclaimed international artist or band in the near future, who would you choose, and why?
Kevin Vieira: Metallica or Megadeth, I’m a big fan of their music.
- Do you think you could get any better as a musician? And if so, how would you achieve that
Kevin Vieira: I believe so, and there is only one way to achieve this, which is to get your hands dirty. Recording, studying and playing as much as possible.
- As a guitar player, do you maintain a vast library of guitar music that you can draw from?
Kevin Vieira: Of course, having a good repertoire is very important.
- Creative work in studio environment, or interaction with a live audience? Which of these two do you ultimately prefer and why?
Kevin Vieira: If I choose, I prefer studio work, because this is where the magic happens.
- What’s your favorite motto, phrase or piece of advice, you try to live or inspire yourself by?
Kevin Vieira: Eddie Van Halen’s quote “Keep playing man, music man! All Right?”
- What’s more important to you; song structure or melody?
Kevin Vieira: A great melody, that’s the way.
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