Rafael Bittencourt about his upcoming commitments

From MS Metal Press :

The guitarist of the bands Angra and Bittencourt Project, Rafael Bittencourt, released an official statement regarding the great phase of his career in all his projects.

In the first week-end of July, Rafael Bittencourt will present his new model of Workshop at Guitar Player Fest in Rio de Janeiro (01 July, Friday), will perform with Angra at Anime Family Festival in Rio de Janeiro (02 July, Saturday), and will take part in the last round of Yamaha Brazilian Beat with Bittencourt Project in São Paulo (July 03, Sunday).

According to the artist, who doesn't hide his enthusiasm regarding the excellent point of his career : "This weekend will be busy and very special to me. It will be the first time I give a workshop, a show with Angra and a show with Bittencourt Project in the same weekend. Friday I'll present a workshop at Guitar Player Fest in Rio de Janeiro, Angra will be at Anime Family in Rio on Saturday and I 'll give a show with my project for the eliminatories of Yamaha Brazilian Beat in Sao Paulo, which is a festival that will choose one band to represent Brazil and compete with bands from around the world in Asia. Thanks to the public for the support, my partners and sponsors for making this possible."

Rafael Bittencourt.

For more news : MS Metal Press

Kiko Loureiro : new blog post Guitar Player

From Kiko Loureiro French Blog :

On his latest blog post Guitar Player entitled "COM BRILHO NOS OLHOS" ("With Bright Eyes"), kiko Loureiro talks about his meeting with Jason Becker at Namm in California on last January :

"[...] Becker himself is there, alive, but still using only the movements of the iris of the eyes to tell me "Hi, Kiko, how are you ?" The eyes continue to move and a speaker via Skype translates to my ears the beautiful words of praise and real knowledge of my work. I'm surrended by an incredible sense of empathy and appreciation of that contact, even if it's only eye to eye, caused by someone who was a musical reference for me and is today a human reference for all who know his story.

Prodigious, Jason Becker recorded his first album at 16 years old, with his incredible talent, and soon achieved the status of one of the greatest guitarists of the planet. I was 15 years when he made me rethink my study.[...]

Unfortunately, fate was merciless with Jason. He was struck by a very serious neurodegenerative disease (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis). [...] Becker was unable to wield a guitar and go on stage, but not to continue feeding us with his music. He impresses us today with his past works and current compositions, written by the movement of the iris.

When we get so intense musicality, we can reach a sublime level of musical energy - flowing, free and spill-over - wich will be part of our essence as a person. Jason is the shining example of that."

Read the complete post of Kiko Loureiro in Portuguese here : http://kikoloureiro.guitarplayer.com.br/2011_06_01_archive.html


Check out New Tribute to Jason Becker – HEART OF A HERO - just released by Guitar Clinic and top Brazilian guitarists including Kiko Loureiro and Rafael Bittencourt (Angra) – you can download the new tribute to Jason for free in MP3 format!! It is free but you can donate to the cause of Jason Becker!"

Kiko Loureiro will take part in Jason Becker's Not Dead Yet Fest in Amsterdam (Netherlands, venue will be announced in July) in November 13, 2011. For more informations about the event, check out our post "Kiko Loureiro : Jason Becker's Not Dead Yet Fest" here : http://kikoloureirofrenchblog.blogspot.com/2011/06/kiko-loureiro-jason-beckers-not-dead.html

For more news : Kiko Loureiro Official Blog

Angra : Edu Falaschi talks about Tarja Turunen and Rock In Rio

From MS Metal Press :

The lead singer of the bands Almah and Angra, Edu Falaschi, revealed some details about the partnership between Angra and the singer Tarja Turunen (Ex-Nightwish) at Rock In Rio Festival.

Angra will be one of the attractions of Palco Sunset stage, which will be responsible for large gatherings of artists at the festival.

Rock In Rio will held at the end of September and early October, at olympic Park Citade do Rock in Barra da Tijuca in western Rio de Janeiro (Brazil).

Check out Edu's interview (in Portuguese) :



For more news : MS Metal Press / Rock In Rio Official Youtube

Edu Falaschi to reveal the collection of old and rare photos

From Edu Falaschi Official Website :

Edu Falaschi announces an extensive old and rare pictures gallery to be published on his official Twitter next Sunday, July 03. To see these materials, to comment and to have a feedback from the artist you only need to have your account in Twitter and follow: http://twitter.com/edufalaschi. Most of these images will be revealed for the first time!



Don't miss the opportunity to see this online gallery dedicated to the early times of Angra, one of the first bands with Edu, Symbols, and other moments! This collection will be published as a kind of tribute to the fans who follow Edu's career since the beginning. Meanwhile, those who didn't have a possibility to stay by Edu's side in that period can use this unique occasion to touch the atmosphere of the legendary times!

Right now, Edu Falaschi is finishing new songs for the 3rd album of Almah. The band announced the first live dates for the end of July at ForCaos and Armazem do Som Festival in Fortaleza/22-07 and Juazeiro do Norte/23-07 respectively.

For more news : Edu Falaschi Official Webiste / Official Twitter

Felipe Andreoli : show in Campinas with Mr Big Cover

Angra's bassist Felipe Andreoli plays today with his band Mr Big Cover at Sebastian Bar in Campinas / São Paulo (Brazil) from 11h00 pm (Brazilian time) !

For more news : Sebastian Bar

Kiko Loureiro : Jason Becker's Not Dead Yet Festival

Kiko Loureiro has been added to the list of guitar players appearing during the NOT DEAD YET Festival in the Netherlands for Jason Becker’s cause ! The event will take place in Amsterdam (Netherlands, venue will be announced in July) in November 13, 2011 from 19h00.

Kiko Loureiro will play alongside big names as Guthrie Govan, Stuart Hamm, Mattias IA Eklundh, Atma Anur, Daniele Gottardo among others !

Jason Becker was diagnosed ALS (Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) 20 years ago. All proceeds from the Jason Becker’s Not Dead Yet Festivals will go to Jason’s foundation to secure his health in the future, but Jason will also donate to the ALS-TDI foundation doing research.

Check out the trailer of the event :

For more news : jasonbeckerfest.com

Kiko Loureiro : interview to Anusaya website

Check out the new interview of Kiko Loureiro to Anusaya.com ! Enjoy;)

"Kiko Loureiro is a Brazilian Heavy metal guitarist who has worked with such bands as Angra, Silent Moon, Blezqi Zatzas, and Neural Code. Beginning his musical studies at age eleven, Kiko has never stopped evolving both as a guitarist and a composer.

In March 2007, Kiko Loureiro was voted “Best Guitarist” by respected Japanese music publication BURRN. Quite an achievement for a guitarist from Brazil whose meteoric career has spawned numerous studio and live albums with Angra, as well as solo albums No Gravity, Fullblast and Universo Inverso.

This guitar virtuoso’s bravura can be compared to the masters of the instrument. Kiko is a multitalented musician with a deep knowledge of Rock ‘n’ Roll, Heavy Metal and Jazz – while taking on many instruments in his solo recordings. I talked to Kiko Loureiro recently about his biggest triumph and greatest challenge as an artist.


What are your top five picks of classic muscle cars?

Kiko Loureiro : I don’t know – I was always into guitar and amps.


Who or what inspired you to pick up your first instrument and how old were you?

Kiko Loureiro : I was eleven. A privet teacher used to come home to give lessons for my sister. She gave up, and my mother asked: Why don’t you start in her place? I said yes. Luckily.


Remembering back to your first time in front of a live audience, what comes to mind?

Kiko Loureiro : It was in small bars, nothing so important. What actually comes to my mind: my first big shows in Sao Paulo, Paris, or Tokyo – When I was already 20 something years old. Also, I remember when I opened for AC/DC in front of 40,000 people.


What has been your biggest triumph as an artist? Greatest challenge?
Kiko: Keep playing, keep playing my music, and doing my albums. That’s the biggest triumph.

The challenge is to keep doing it and living from that. Also, to keep creating interesting music for my and others’ pleasure. Never retiring – that’s a challenge.


If the whole world were listening, what would you play? And why?

Kiko Loureiro : I would ask for silence and people to listen to the sounds of nature.


As your music as evolved, what do you think has been the most significant change and do you consider it a positive or a negative?

Kiko Loureiro : Always positive – I didn’t loose the passion for music even after so many years inside the music business.
Another positive is that I feel I have a bit more control of what I play, and play what comes to my mind.


What do you want fans to get from your music?

Kiko Loureiro : Enjoy my music, as I enjoy playing for them. Just that. Enjoying what I play is enjoying my personality, and getting connected to my feelings. No need to be more than that.


What is your favorite song to perform live? Why?
Kiko Loureiro : The songs I’m playing for the first time.


What do you value most in life?

Kiko Loureiro : Life? (smiles) Music. Family.


If you could, is there a band or artist that you could recommend (Who they may not know about, but you think they should.) to our readers?

Kiko Loureiro : I love Brazilian acoustic guitar playing, so I will suggest an amazing player – Marco Tardelli.


I would like to thank Kiko Loureiro for his participation in this interview.

New Tribute to Jason Becker – HEART OF A HERO - just released by Guitar Clinic and top Brazilian guitarists including Kiko Loureiro (Angra) and Rafael Bittencourt – you can download the new tribute to Jason for free in MP3 format!! It is free but I personally would like to encourage you to donate to the cause of Jason Becker!"

Denise Smith for Anusaya.com (interview 2011.06.15)

For more news : Anusaya.com

Angra : show Suzano (Brazil) with Marcelo Barbosa

Angra plays today with Almah's guitarist Marcelo Barbosa (replacing Kiko Loureiro who will skip this live date due to family reasons) at Clube Suzaninho in Suzano, São Paulo (Brazil) from 7h00 pm (Brazilian time) !

For more news : Angra Official Website

Felipe Andreoli : show in Jundiaí with Mr big Cover

Angra's bassist Felipe Andreoli plays today with his new band Mr Big Cover at Lounge Club in Jundiaí/ São Paulo (Brazil) from 10h00 pm (Brazilian time) !

For more news : Lounge Club

Kiko Loureiro / Edu Falaschi / Felipe Andreoli / Ricardo Confessori : Arena Brazilian Solaris project

Kiko Loureiro, Edu Falaschi, Felipe Andreoli and Ricardo Confessori are four of the special guests asked to take part in Arena Brazilian Solaris project from Thiago Bianchi and Tito Falaschi.

This project was originally formed in the middle of year 2000 by the musicians / producers Thiago Bianchi and Tito Falaschi. After a hiatus of almost 11 years, the creators of the project now decided to get back to work and finish the album called "Brazillian Solaris".

The core line-up of the project is Thiago Bianchi (Shaman) on vocals, Tito Falaschi (Symbols) on bass and vocals, and Gabriel Triani (Tempestt) on drums. But one of the goals of the album / project is to celebrate the vast barn of Brazilian music scene and its talented musicians, so the team decided to invite great Brazilian icons to "lend" their talents throughout the 10 tracks laid down for the album.

And here they are :

* Solo Guitarist : Mozart Mello (solo artist), Kiko Loureiro (Angra), Edu Ardanuy (Dr.Sin), Leo Mancini (Shaman), Kadu Averback (Wizards), Andre Hernandes (Andre Matos), Nelson Junior (Royal Music), André Brunetti (Vox) and Chico Dehira (Karma).

* Drummers : Marcell Cardoso (Karma), Marcelo Moreira (Almah) and Ricardo Confessori (Angra / Shaman).

* Bassists : Felipe Andreoli (Angra / Almah /Karma) and Fernando Quesada (Shaman).

* Keyboards and samplers : Gabriel Kaué (solo artist), Fabrizio Di Sarno (Karma / Shaman) and Carlos Ceroni (Kavla).

Percussionists : Guga Machado (Shaman / Angra).

* And last but not least, vocalists : Edu Falaschi (Angra / Almah), Nando Fernandes (ex-Hangar), Christian Passos (Wizards), Thiago Buslik (Voxx One) and Leo Belling (solo artist).

Plus one of MPB's greatest singers, Mrs. Maria Odete (Thiago Bianchi's mother) lending her amazing voice to a surprise track.

The artwork was dsign by Carlos Fides from Artside Studios.

The band is now releasing the teaser-track "Trust", with the participation of Kiko Loureiro on the solo guitar, Mello Jr on the base guitar, Gabriel Kauê on the keyboard, Tito Falaschi on bass, Guga Machado on percussion, Gabriel Triani on drums and Thiago Bianchi on vocals. (check it out on Myspace).

The album is scheduled for release in the second half of 2011. It was entirely produce by Thiago Bianchi in his Fusão Studio.

For more news : Arena Official Myspace

Angra France Blog : playlist of the month

Check out the new playlist of the month :

• The Rage Of The Waters (Aqua, 2010)
  
• So Near So Far (Aurora Consurgens, 2006)
• The Shadows Hunter (Temple Of Shadows, 2004)
• Kashmir (The Music Remains The Same, Tribute to Led Zeppelin, 2002)
• Heroes Of Sand (Hunters And Prey, 2002)
• Millenium Sun (Rebirth, 2001)

Enjoy ;)

Bittencourt Project / Edu Falaschi : Yamaha Brazilian Beat

From Edu Falaschi Official Website :

The solo project of guitarist Rafael Bittencourt (Bittencourt Project), plays today in Rio De Janeiro for Yamaha Brazilian Beat selections at Teatro Odisséia from 4h00 pm (Brazilian time).

The selection in Rio De Janeiro will feature the musician Derico, saxophonist from Programa de Jô at Rede Globo television, and Bittencourt Project will count with special participation of the singer of Angra and Almah, Edu Falaschi.

Yamaha Brazilian Beat is a festival of independent bands that happens for the first time in Brazil (in the cities of Salvador, Curitiba, Rio de Janeiro, Brasília and São Paulo) which aims to discover new talents and bring support to the winner band to play in one of the biggest festivals in Asia, the Asian Beat ! The winning band will also have the opportunity to perform at Yamaha stand at Expomusic 2011, playing alongside the endorsers of the brand.

For more news : Edu Falaschi Official Website / Yamaha Brazilian Beat

Kiko Loureiro : absent from some Angra's shows

From MS Metal Press :

The guitarist Kiko Loureiro, from the bands Angra and Neural Code, will be absent from the next scheduled dates of Angra for family reasons. In his place, was chosen Marcelo Barbosa, a longtime friend and Almah's member, the band headed by Edu Falaschi.

The artist has released an official statement by press, notifiying the reasons for his absence of the Angra's shows in Suzano, Angra Do Reis and Porão do Rock Festival, annually held in Brasília.

"My friends and Angra's fans who will be at Suzano, Porão do Rock and Angra do Reis shows. Unfortunately I wanted to inform you that I will not be present at these shows for family reasons.

So, to not let my band mates and fans disgruntled and without concerts, Angra chose to invite our friend and partner of many years, the guitarist Marcelo Barbosa, to replace me exclusively and solely in those shows mentioned.

I wanted to apologize in advance for my absence, but be sure that the shows will be impeccable, Marcelo will replace me handily, and Angra will fulfill his contract with contractors and public of these events.

Thank you, I hope the understanding from all."

Kiko Loureiro

For more news : MS Metal Press