It’s been said that you merge the cultures of South America and Europe in your music. Can you talk to us about this and about the differences between living in South America and Europe?Merging both cultures is what I’ve been trying to do with my songs, each time a little bit more — getting rhythm influences from Brasil and mixing it with R&B/Pop elements from here. I think the main difference is the weather. Honestly it’s mid-June, the end of Spring/beginning of Summer in London, and it’s almost the same temperatures as Brasil in Winter! Besides, I think a big difference is the freedom you have here in the UK. You can go anywhere you want, plus it’s much more safe.
Can you talk to us about growing up in Brazil?
Growing up in Brasil I was always surrounded by family, friends, music and the absolute best food ever. My best memories are usually around Christmas time – the whole family going to the beach at 11am and coming back home at 8pm after watching the sunset. I also loved playing football with my friends anywhere that we went, and also Carnaval in Riviera, São Paulo’s coast. In Rio, I used to love hanging out by Posto 6 in Copacabana Beach, and in São Paulo it was mostly around Paulista and Ibirapuera Park.
You’ve just played in London, what can you tell us about your live shows? What can people expect and why should they come?
I always try to bring a lot of the Brazilian energy whenever I perform live so my set up is usually percussion, keys and backing tracks so that there’s a perfect balance between production and live elements! Well on the 4th I’m gonna be singing my latest release, ‘Million Dollar’, live for the first time!
You seem to have a knack for a creating an infectious melody, is this something you focus on when writing songs? What artists were you listening to growing up that made you focus on melodies?
Thank you! Melodies are actually the first thing that come to me whenever I hear a new production or beat, and I definitely think I focus a lot on them when writing a song. When I was growing up, because English was my second language, I focused more on listening melodies rather than lyrics, as most of the times I struggled with understanding what the singers were saying. I think all international artists influenced me especially Nina Simone, Stevie Wonder, Billie Holiday and Christina Aguilera.
If you could take credit for one song what would it be?
Probably ‘All You Need Is Love’ by The Beatles.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years? How high are you aiming?
Dominating the world and aiming to infinity and beyond.
