Interview Rod Rodrigues

Brazilian-Canadian guitarist, music teacher, and songwriter Rod Rodrigues, known for his impressive career in the music industry, shares insights into his first full-length album, Tales Of A Changing Life Part 2, released this past October.

1. "Tales Of A Changing Life Part 2" is your first full-length album. What inspired you to continue the concept from Part 1, and how does this album expand on the story you started?

I originally planned to release just one full album called “Tales Of A Changing Life.” However, with the way the music scene works nowadays, I decided to split it into two parts as separate EPs. The second part, though, ended up much longer than an EP and became a full album.

I didn’t want to release a single album and then wait 3 or 4 years to release another one. With social media, streaming platforms, and algorithms, it’s important to stay active and consistently share new music with listeners.

I actually started working on some of the songs for the second part while I was still finishing the first. Tracks like “Inukshuk,” “On The Road,” and “Mom’s Lullaby” were already in progress. In fact, “Inukshuk” was originally meant to be the opening track of the first part, but I decided to save it for the second.

So, in a way, both parts were mostly written at the same time.

2. Your track “Inukshuk” is described as the heaviest on the album. Can you tell us more about its composition and the significance of featuring Angel Vivaldi and John Macaluso?

I wanted a powerful, hard-hitting song to open this album. Something technical, heavy, but also groovy and with a fusion vibe. It’s the first song I’ve ever written using a 7-string guitar, which made it even more exciting to create.

To take the song to the next level, I brought in two amazing guests: Angel Vivaldi and John Macaluso.

I first connected with Angel Vivaldi years ago online and later met him in person when he played in Toronto. I’ve always admired him, not just as an incredible guitarist but also for the way he builds his brand. He was the perfect fit for this track.

I met John Macaluso during the lockdowns when I was doing collaborative videos with musicians worldwide. One of these projects was with Leandro Caçoilo, the singer of the legendary Brazilian metal band Viper, where we covered Ark’s “Missing You.” Macaluso, who was Ark’s original drummer, saw our video and reached out to us. He’s one of my all-time favorite drummers, and his unique style added so much to this song. Having him share his talent on this track is truly an honor.

3. The album reflects your personal journey of moving to a new country and starting a new life. How did that experience influence your music and songwriting process?

I’ve always struggled with writing lyrics. I can’t express myself in music through words, but I can do it with melodies. That’s one of the reasons I write instrumental music.

Every emotion, frustration, happiness, fear, and all the feelings an immigrant experiences when leaving their home country to start over in a new place played a big role in helping me create each song. During those times, I found inspiration in the songs and artists I was listening to.

Some tracks, like “East Coast Memories” and “Mom’s Lullaby,” have a more uplifting vibe. Others, like “Dust in My Eyes” and “Tales Of A Changing Life Suite,” are darker, reflecting the tough moments I was going through at the time.

4. You’ve collaborated with an impressive lineup of musicians on this album. How did these collaborations come about, and what did they bring to the project?

I enjoy giving musicians the freedom to express themselves and add their own personality to the songs. On this album, I brought back four musicians who also played on the previous EP, Tales Of A Changing Life Part 1. I felt it was important to have them on the second part as well. Some of them are longtime friends of mine.

For the more melodic songs, I chose one group of musicians, while for the heavier and more technical tracks, I worked with a different team.

The guest musicians were a different story. Some, like Angel Vivaldi and John Macaluso, were planned from the start. I even wrote their parts with their styles in mind. On the other hand, collaborations like Roy Ziv on East Coast Memories and Hugo Mariutti on the title track came together more spontaneously.

For East Coast Memories, I originally planned to record all the solos myself. But while working on the guitars for that song, I felt something was missing—a special guest guitarist. I’ve known Roy for a while; we both live in Toronto and share mutual friends. He’s an incredible player, and since the beginning of this project, I wanted to include a Canadian guitarist. Roy was the perfect choice, and he did a fantastic job.

For Tales Of A Changing Life Suite, Hugo Mariutti played the bowed guitar in the intro. It’s similar to what Jimmy Page does with a violin bow, but I wanted something more progressive, inspired by the Icelandic band Sigur Rós. I’ve known Hugo for a long time, going back to his days with the Brazilian metal band Shaman. I invited him to record the intro because I knew he enjoyed experimenting with sounds like this. I couldn’t be happier with the result. Tales Of A Changing Life Suite is one of my favorite tracks on the album.

5. Your music blends prog rock with Latin rhythms. How do you balance these distinct influences to create your unique sound?

I was born and raised in Brazil, so Latin rhythms are naturally in my blood. Even though I didn’t grow up listening to a lot of Latin music, it’s part of who I am.

I grew up listening to bands like Dream Theater, Angra, Rush, and others. Angra, in particular, blends different styles beautifully, and that’s something I’ve always tried to bring into my music.

People can always expect that from me, a mix of different styles combined with prog rock.

6. You’ve studied under legends like Kiko Loureiro and Greg Howe. What’s the most important lesson you’ve learned from them, and how does it reflect in your playing?

I’ve always enjoyed taking lessons and playing with other musicians, it’s an experience that really helps you grow.

I first met Kiko Loureiro in the early 2000s, right after Angra had their first breakup. He used to hold weekly guitar clinics at the conservatory where I studied, and we jammed a few times during those sessions. There’s even a video on my YouTube channel of one of those jams when I was just 19 years old. Around that time, I also took a few private lessons with him. Kiko isn’t just an incredible guitar player; he also has a brilliant mind for the music business.

Greg Howe is my all-time favorite guitar player, and you can definitely hear his influence in my phrasing. He’s unreal, no one plays like Greg. His groove, speed, and those insane fusion licks are almost impossible to replicate. I was fortunate to take a couple of online lessons with him during the pandemic.

I didn’t just learn from the lessons I took with them but also by watching and listening to their music. I gained a deeper understanding of improvisation and, most importantly, learned how to listen. That’s something many beginner guitar players overlook. Listening while you play is just as important as the playing itself.

7. With a career spanning multiple countries and decades, how has your approach to teaching music evolved, and what do you enjoy most about mentoring students?

I’ve always loved teaching, almost as much as I love playing. I’ve been teaching since 1997, and over the years, I’ve worked with different generations of guitar students, each with unique interests and goals. I’ve learned to adapt my teaching style to meet their needs while also guiding them on different paths to achieve their goals.

These days, I approach techniques in a more practical way. From the very beginning, when they learn a new scale, I encourage them to do something with it, create a riff, a lick, or even a solo. The melodic aspect should always come first. That’s what makes your solos memorable.

Good technique is important, but in my opinion, melody comes first. Technique is just the tool you use to express the ideas you have in your mind.

8. Your previous releases have earned significant recognition, including being named one of the top 20 guitar players of 2022 by Roadie Crew Magazine. How do you feel this new album pushes your musicianship even further?

I hope my music takes me far, but what matters most is that it touches people’s hearts. Knowing that my music has inspired someone, changed their life in a positive way, or even sparked their desire to learn guitar would make me incredibly happy. That’s something I’m truly grateful for.

9. The track “Saudade” features Wesley Poison and showcases deep emotional expression. Can you discuss the meaning behind this piece and its role within the album?

“Saudade” is a Portuguese word that means “missing,” but in a much deeper and more emotional way. It’s the feeling you get when you miss the great moments of your childhood or a loved one who is no longer here. “Saudade” serves as an interlude for “Mom’s Lullaby.”

My mom is my biggest musical influence. She’s an incredible singer, though she never worked professionally with music. I grew up listening to my mom singing all the time at home. My mom only went to school until the 4th grade, so she doesn’t read or write very well. Instead of reading me bedtime stories, she would sing me lullabies. She’d sit on my sister’s bed, playing the guitar and singing until I fell asleep.

I shared my idea for this interlude with my friend Wesley Poison, who is a talented writer. I wanted it to capture the feeling of missing those precious days with my mom. Wesley wrote a beautiful poem, which perfectly reflects this emotion. The poem is now part of his new book.

10. What do you hope listeners take away from "Tales Of A Changing Life Part 2," both musically and thematically? Are there any key messages or emotions you wanted to convey?

I hope my music touches people’s hearts and inspires them, whether it’s to play an instrument, write their own music, read great books, or simply enjoy quality time with their families and friends.

We’re living in strange times, where people often spend more time on TikTok dancing or doing silly things instead of truly connecting with their loved ones. I really hope my music can make a difference and bring something positive to their lives.

Rod Rodrigues – Official Website