Ronaldo Rodrigues | Interview | New Album, ‘Vol. II’
‘Vol. II’ is the sophomore album by Brazilian keyboardist Ronaldo Rodrigues. It’s an album consisting of instrumental tracks heavily influenced by progressive rock and jazz fusion.
Rodrigues is also part of different projects, including Arcpelago, Caravela Escarlate and Blue Rumble.
Ronaldo Rodrigues was deeply influenced by the first experience in the studio. He wanted, from then on, to record all the music that existed and would come to exist in his mind. The possibilities of obtaining musical fullness (performance, sound, concept) in a studio came against his perfectionism. Even though he likes being on stage, he prefers his time in the studio. From then on, in the following years, great opportunities arose to be in the studio and record with partners from different locations. In the following years he consolidated two rock projects; Caravela Scarlet and Arcpelago. The visibility that those groups achieved earned him invitations to join the last line-up of the 1970s psychedelic rock group Módulo 1000, and to play on important occasions with guitarist Sérgio Hinds (from the renowned progressive band O Terço), as well as to join the band of solo guitarist Luiz Zamith.
In 2018, his band Caravela Escarlate signed a contract with the Norwegian label Karisma Records for the production of three albums, and thus began his insertion in the international scene, including worldwide distribution of their second album.
At the end of 2019, he became session man. From 2021 onwards, many albums featuring his keyboards have emerged. Besides his second solo album, he worked with Blue Rumble on their debut album, and had a collaboration with keyboardist Amyr Cantúsio Jr. (Gates of Delirium) and started work on recording the new Caravela Escarlate album (‘III’).
“It is instrumental and keyboard-driven rock for 1970s aficionados”
How much preparation went into recording your latest album?
Ronaldo Rodrigues: The creative process took more or less six months, starting in December 2020. Most things that are on the album already existed as small fragments in my files and tapes. Only two songs on ‘Vol. II’ were completely new. I had to develop these fragments and put all the things together. After some weeks of rehearsals of my parts, I was ready to go. I recorded some pre-tracks for sending to the other musicians to develop their own arrangements. As the whole process was remote (due to the pandemic in the mid-late ’21), this part took many months to be finished for many different reasons. So, the whole thing came to life only at the end of 2022. However, I’m very happy with the result – this album is some kind of musical retrospective for me, passing through my 15 years of music career. ‘Vol. II’ is an assortment of songs of heavy rock, prog, psychedelic, fusion, and funky things absolutely inspired by the 1970s in structure and aesthetics. It is instrumental and keyboard-driven rock for 1970s aficionados. All the things that make up my mind.
Was there a certain idea or even concept you were trying to hold together?
Not really, but as I told you before most ideas come from fragments recorded many years ago, in different situations. So, it sounds to me as a retrospective, but I think that this is a very personal interpretation that is not captured by a listener. Musically, the album is eclectic and contains different atmospheres that didn’t offer some intentional connection between songs. For instance, ‘Estrada Velha’ and ‘Brasas (Viciado em Sonhar)’ shows the mood of rock ‘n’ roll to listen on the road, as Mountain or Steppenwolf stuff; ‘Terras Raras’ and ‘Alvorada do Ser’ are true scientific-fiction soundtrack and prog thing; ‘Um dia de cada vez’ is my attempt on blaxploitation funky thing, maybe something like Rare Earth, and et cetera.
Tell us about your gear?
Although my sound is totally oriented to the 1970s sonority, I don’t have original vintage instruments such as Hammond organ or Minimoog Model D. Some people feel disappointed when I reveal this. However, I work very hard to obtain vintage sound with modern stuff; technology today helps a lot, and it is possible to obtain good results with relatively low costs. It is frustrating to check the expenditure of money and efforts to put these old machines on. Moreover, these instruments are difficult to deal with when in a live gig. I already had the chance to record with these fantastic instruments, fortunately, but it was not the case for ‘Vol. II’. For organ sounds, I use a portable tonewheel organ produced by a local Brazilian factory and an emulation Leslie pedal made in Germany that is very realistic. For synthesizers, electric pianos, and clavinets, all the sounds are generated by software. When I play live all these tools come with the stage, aiming to offer a good sound experience to the audience.
Where was the album recorded?
My parts were recorded in a small room of my wife’s grandma’s apartment, close to the Rio International Airport, where I temporarily installed my studio between May and July 21. It was a very complicated time because our home was under renovation and we were living temporarily there. A very thin space to play and record, among domestic tools and other stuff, like a basement.
What’s the music making process like for you?
At the same time it is a pleasure and a challenge. The reason is that I always intend to be the first and most passionate listener of my own music. So, it is a pleasure to compose something that I will have satisfaction in listening to, and a challenge to achieve this satisfaction considering how genius were the rock/prog guys from the 1970s and how high-level was their music. I’m immersed in such good music all the time and it is hard to compose something more or less comparable.
How would you compare your latest album to your debut album? What are some key differences?
There is a crucial difference between both – the first album was a keyboard thing (it was totally recorded by me) and ‘Vol. II’ has other musicians involved. ‘Vol I’ was elaborated in the context of my wedding, as a souvenir. My wife is a graphical artist and we worked together to develop a small memory for the guests of our wedding. It was produced independently, only in a very limited domestic pressing.
Although it was released in 2019, the songs became available in Bandcamp only a few months ago. It is a very personal album. ‘Vol. II’ has different musical ambitions and was planned to be a commercial release supported by a local label (BeProg), including the release on digipack CD and streaming services.
What’s the current status with Blue Rumble?
Blue Rumble recently released a new single containing two songs: ‘Blue Lightning’ and ‘Brasas’. ‘Brasas’ is the same song present in my solo album ‘Vol. II,’ reinterpreted by Blue Rumble. Andrea Gelardini, our guitarist, also played in ‘Vol. II’ as a guest in this track. He liked the song and suggested we record again, including Harry Silvers on drums and Seb Métens on bass. I like both versions. We are just signing a deal with Echodelick Records (US) to release this single in 45′ format and the new album that will come in the next few months. We are starting the composition and arrangement process.
Tell us about Arcpelago and its 2016 album.
Our album, ‘Simbiose,’ is one of my favorite works. Arcpelago suffered many interruptions since 2019, due to changes in the lineup of the band and the pandemic, but we started the work on a new album and a live gig is already booked.
This year Arcpelago will bring good news and fresh new music to the people, crossing symphonic prog, fusion, and psychedelic influences.
What about Caravela Escarlate?
We are releasing our third album, ‘III,’ supported by Karisma Records (Norway).
We are very excited about it because even before release very positive reviews have been published. ‘III’ was released January 27th on LP, CD, and streaming. I believe that our music is even more mature and consolidated as trio prog music based on keyboards.
What’s next for you?
I have released two albums and a single in 2022, besides some releases as a session musician guest in other albums. The new album of Caravela Escarlate, recorded in 2022, was recently released. These intense activities, however, occupied my whole time. So, I think that now the promotion of the works deserves more effort. I intend to invest more time this year in spreading the news and playing gigs. Arcpelago will start the recording process of the new album soon and my activities as a session musician certainly will be as intense as last year.
Klemen Breznikar
Headline photo: Ronaldo Rodrigues at Teatro Solar Botafogo
Ronaldo Rodrigues Official Website / Facebook / Instagram / Bandcamp / YouTube
Blue Rumble | Interview | Album Premiere
