Interviews: Rod Rodriguez

This is a new interview with the Progressive Rock/Metal artist Rod Rodriguez from Brazil. Check out the interview and follow the artist on his FACEBOOK PAGE.

1. Where did you get the idea for the band name, you plan it or come out just like that?

My first name is actually Rodrigo, but I realized how hard and weird my name sounds for native English speakers, then I just started using a short version of my first name, Rod, which sounds more natural in English.

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

My first EP "The First Step: Introduction" was a kind of Blues/Rock with some prog and fusion. Because I don't sing, I think that style would limit my creativity and my freedom to write music. I'm a huge prog rock/metal fan and I think this is the kind of music that gives me more freedom to add different styles to it. For example, my song La Premiere Experience from my new EP "Tales of a Changing Life Part.1" has some traditional French music in it, while Woodbine Sunset has some baiao, a traditional Brazilian style from northeast Brazil. I love that freedom to do anything I want.

3. Did you know each other before the band was formed?

Most of the musicians that recorded Tales of a Changing Life are my friends for a very long time. Me and Rodrigo Abelha who recorded most of the drums have been friends for more than 20 years for example. The only ones that I haven't met in person yet are Mike Mclaren, who recorded the drums on D257, Orlan Charles, the keyboardist, Renato Osorio, who did the mix and the second guitar solo on Physical Distancing and Marco Sfogli, who recorded the second guitar solo on Woodbine Sunset.

4. Each band member's favorite band?

I love Dream Theater, I have been a huge fan since I was 15. I have a big collection, and I own 3 John Petrucci guitar signature models. I also like Symphony X a lot. I'm very eclectic though. I like almost all kinds of music. I also like a lot of hard rock bands like Van Halen, Extreme, and Mr.Big. Currently, I have been listening to a lot of prog-rock like Rush, Marillion, Pink Floyd, and Yes.

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

My main influences on guitar are John Petrucci, mainly from the 90's albums like Images and Words, Awake and Falling Into Infinity, Steve Vai, Andy Timmons, and Greg Howe.

6. Where was your last gig?

I teach guitar and do work as a hired gun, I play with a band from the army and private events, so that happens all the time. I have been doing guitar clinics and now I have a new trio playing with me and we already have some gigs booked for this summer.

7. Where would you like to act?

Who wouldn't like to perform at the Royal Albert Hall in London?

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

There are a lot of musicians that I would love to jam with, that would be a very long list. Would be incredible to do anything with Steve Vai.

9. Whom not?

I wouldn't do any punk rock stuff, no names in specific, it's just not my kind of music at all.

10. Have any of you ever suffered from stage fright? Any tip for beginners on how to beat that?

All the time! And I think everybody does, they just don't like to say it. But that's the point! That's one of the best things about being on a stage. A tip that I can give is to be connected to your instrument as much as you can before the gig. I like staying alone for at least one hour before hitting the stage, only me and my instrument. I do some stretching and warm-ups. I do some scales and practice some of the hardest parts of the songs. That helps a lot.

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

Dream Theater, Rush, Van Halen, Extreme, Marillion, Yes, and Pink Floyd.

12. What's the weirdest thing a fan has ever asked you for?

Should we count the groupies? LOL

13. What do you think of your fans?

I love them! They are the reason that I have been doing it for so long. I am nothing without them.

14. What do you think of our site?

You guys are fantastic! I'm very happy to have the opportunity to talk to you guys. Thank you!

15. Something add?

My new EP "Tales of a Changing Life Part.1" is available on all streaming platforms and also available on my Bandcamp. If you guys want to know more about me, visit my website www.rodrodrigues.net