Interview: Kiko Loureiro

Kiko Loureiro: I think for all guitar players that grew up listenning to Jeff Beck, Malmsteen, Vai and Satriani, it is just a dream to record an instrumental album. It was something I did for me, a way to express my music having the guitar as the main star. A project that I could do on my own from the beginning to the end, showing that I was able to compose, produce and organize the recording, play different instruments, promote it, etc. It was for the pleasure of doing it. My goal is to please myself (that is why we do music), as well as all the fans that always asked when I would record a solo album. I hope people can see there are other styles of music I like and I can play - "No Gravity" is me exposed to the max - there are all of my music tastes there.

Kiko Loureiro: I am always composing, so I had tons of ideas and finished songs - most of them I used for "Temple Of Shadows". The dream of doing a solo album was always there, so when Dennis Ward (producer of Angra and "No Gravity") listened to the ideas he made me confident to go further and record the ideas.

Kiko Loureiro: It was mainly the ideas I had in 2003; at the time I was concentrating with recording for Angra. I just got these ideas later and reheased with Mike Terrana. The process of creating happened with the Angra process, because I am always absorbed in composing and recording at home. With Mike it was fast; in 4 days we prepared the drums arrangements. He is very, very professional and quick to get what I wanted.

The studio work took 23 days in total. It was pretty fast I think, but I was totally prepared and I recorded10 hours a day with Dennis.

Kiko Loureiro: Yes, except for one song, "Beautiful Language" This one I did at night after recording. I had the feeling the album was missing something more Brazilian with bossa nova harmonies and Brazilian rhythms on a nylon guitar. That is something that I love to play and study, so I felt it should be on the album.

Kiko Loureiro: I have a Tagima guitar. He is a luthier pretty famous in Brazil. So I used my model K1 (maple, 27 frets, Seymour Duncan humbucker), Tagima Strat (ash and maple DiMarzio pickups), Gibson Explorer, Takamine Hirade nylon, Takamine 12-string, Mesa Boogie rectifier, Mesa Quad pre amp, wah wah, Dunlop, Tube Screamer, Power Drive Zoom, MXR Dynacomp, and a Tech21 Sans Amp.

Kiko Loureiro: It depended on each part. But we tried to let the natural feeling go. For the drums and guitar, I wanted to have a heavy sound but with a loose and fusion kind of playing. So Dennis and I were not so strict on the playing. We wanted the sound of somebody really playing, and not a quantized sound - if you know what I mean.

Kiko Loureiro: Guitar, acoustic guitar and piano. It really depends. I can also start with a drum groove. Each song comes together in a different way. I think we have to let it flow; if we try to always compose in the same way we will get stuck.

Kiko Loureiro: No. All composition are new. I still like the old ones. But the fun is always doing something fresh.

Kiko Loureiro: Not at all. Angra is a different thing. If I had called the guys it would be Angra, and not Kiko. I had to do it like this first because it's fun playing other instrments, I just like it. The other thing is because I was in Germany, and I don't know many people there - and the people I do know were not available at the time.

Kiko Loureiro: Yes, because he is one of the top drummers, and because he can play different styles that he doesn't always show in his work with German bands. He is a drummer that can play like Steve Gadd, Steve Smith and others, so he was really happy to do my record.

Kiko Loureiro: Thanks. For me, showing the Brazilian influence is really important. I love Brazilian music; every time we play we feel that it's in our blood. Yes, I had classes and gave classes. I still do lots of clinics. I just did one in Trieste and I will do more in Milano and Venezia. I really like to explain music to students. Actually, music is my passion, so I'm always happy if I'm playing or talking about it. I still study music when I'm home in Sao Paulo.

Kiko Loureiro: I know I'm very technical, but I use it as a tool for expressing - without limits - my musicallity. I'm searching for a good balance between a rock guitar player and my Brazilian and Latin roots. I think Carlos Santana is a good reference in this regard.

Kiko Loureiro: No, it is not easy, but of course, as I'm not a beginner, things were easier.

Kiko Loureiro: Yes. It is just a matter of having the time in between Angra's projects.

Kiko Loureiro: I will be playing music for sure, hopefully with Angra in a bigger position. Also, as I like to play Brazilian jazz and stuff like that, after a rock album, I feel more free to experiment with other ways of composing. We'll see...

Kiko Loureiro: I could go further. Music is the highest form of art. It is the most abstract art, while being the one that reaches deep emotions in all of us. Instrumental music is Pure Music. It gives to the listener only vibrations to get inspired and emotional. There are no lyrics to guide the emotions. When I play, and I'm sure every musician is the same, we have this feeling of being totally abstracted by the music.

That's why the name "No Gravity", because the feeling of having being taken by the music.

Kiko Loureiro: One of the songs on the album is called "La Force De L`Ame", and this name comes from the idea that all instruments have a soul. I really treat an instrument like a person. We have feelings of love, caring, hate and more. Sometimes you do' t want to see your instrument, some times you want to stay with her all day. No I don't collect, but I have around 20 guitars. I always love the one I play the most. I had one before but she is retired now... I was sad. It was like chaging your 50 year old wife for one of 25 years... but that is life. I have a Tagima K1 always with me.

Kiko Loureiro: Not really, because we are always on tour. But I try to play every day at least two hours. When I'm home, it's diferent. I play much more. But now I divide my time with the piano as well.

Kiko Loureiro: Not any more, only clinics and videos.

Kiko Loureiro: How to use the both sides of the brain. Beeing mathematical and intuitive - objective in regards to scales, harmony structures, and subjective in knowing how to use all of these to get an emotional response from everyone - not easy! You should learn everything: scales, arpeggios, harmonies, then play, and don't think anymore about the grammar of music - just let the "No Gravity" feeling take you

Kiko Loureiro: So many... Steve Vai, and Steve Morse.

Kiko Loureiro: "Voodoo Child", "For The Love Of God", "Eruption".

Kiko Loureiro: Not much. I just recorded some stuff here and there. And now people from other bands are always calling me to do solos on their records

Kiko Loureiro: I listen to a lot od acoustic guitar players like Yamandu Costa, and Paulo Belinatti Guinga. All Brazilians. I also like to listen Jeff Beck, Joe Satriani, George Benson (his jazz stuff), Tuck Andress, and Heraldo Do Monte.

Kiko Loureiro: Yes. When I'm there I always go to play with friends in small jazz clubs or at home. Sometimes on keyboard and sometimes on guitar.

Kiko Loureiro: I thank you very much for the interview and thank all the fans for all these years of support. I hope "No Gravity" can please all of you guys. All the best.