Up Close & Personal with Brazilian Singer-Songwriter GUAI

Contemporary singer, GUAI is putting her own unique imprint on the music industry. Her music crosses multiple genres and pulls no punches when addressing the social issues of today. GUAI migrated from her native Brazil to Lisbon, Portugal in 2017. The move has provided greater artistic freedom and opportunity for a larger audience. We chatted with this talented vocalist as she was headed back to Brazil, visiting family.

Thank you for sitting down with Occhi Magazine. You have such a beautiful, unique texture in your voice. How did you start singing, and who were your early influences?

It’s my pleasure, and thank you! Well, my parents are musicians, so I have been singing since I was 4 years old, performing for other kids. I grew up listening to various music from around the world. My early influences were Elis Regina, Sarah Vaughan, Frank Sinatra, Carmem Miranda and also instrumental music, such as Cesar Camargo Mariano and Coltrane. Don´t forget the good classic rock and roll.

Your debut album, Dama de Paus is a wonderful mix of styles, including Smooth Jazz, Brazilian Music, and even a soulful ballad in Alquina. Do you feel the music industry is finally in acceptance of artists that cross genres?

I think there is room for all genres of music. The proof of it is that people still produce really good music around the world. As you said, my music is about jazz, Brazilian music, samba, world music… I don’t fit into just one type of music. I can perfectly fit into different types of music demanded at various festivals and clubs. The problem is the media only focuses on sales. There are many professionals in the music business and the market is very competitive. It is harder for independent artists to succeed. Some people are only concerned about profiting off independent artists, charging for their services without any guarantee, instead of trying to get someplace together. Yes, it can be a risk, but I think it’s a good idea to let some good projects into the market. If you can open opportunities for independent artists, why cross your arms? Unfortunately, independent artists remain alone in this war, with good material in our hands. Who loses? The fans of good music.

The video for Era Uma Vez is so powerful. Who came up with the concept?

Well, the work has my signature, you know. I chose the song and came up with the image for it. Era Uma Vez is about politics. Brazil has been in a political crisis since 2015. The video was about the biggest environmental disaster of the world that happened at this current year: The rupture of one of the mining tailings dams controlled by Samarco S.A., a joint venture of the largest mining companies in the world, the Brazilian Vale do Rio Doce S.A. and the Anglo-Australian BHP Billiton. (Years later, a second dam would also burst, in a new disaster at Brumadinho-MG. To date, no one has been arrested, convicted and no fines paid.)

So, I got this idea of taking those horrible images in between bad news affecting Brazil. I was blind and angry in the middle of all that. Then came the regional group “Ganhadeiras de Itapuã” from Bahia singing some sorrow and hope, asking God for the sun to come so they can work washing clothes on the river. Currently, we are in a worse position than we were before, unfortunately.

You also completed a vintage project with your father, another talented musician. Was it different working with him versus any other respected musician during the creative process?

I’m so used to working with my dad. We have been singing together since I was young. But this particular project portrays something special about intimacy and family bonds. That’s what this video is about: the love and strong connection between us, which is music.

What’s next for GUAI?

Now, I´m preparing a new album. We will soon release a new single and video music for you to enjoy! I´m very excited to bring news to the world and I hope you appreciate it as well!

Material de divulgacao da cantora Guai por ©Yuri Mine // Studio Y.M

For further information on GUAI, please visit

www.GUAI.com.br

@GUAImusik

About Author

Mark Vodery

Mark Vodery was a Managing Editor of Occhi Magazine. A member of the National Association of Black Journalists, he studied Mass Communications at West Chester University. As an experienced session vocalist, he has toured the world and had several original works featured in film and television. Mark has been involved with several New York City projects including Feel the Music! and Make Music New York. An avid music lover, he takes pride in his extensive vinyl collection and spends his free time helping to facilitate service projects that benefit at-risk youth, through artistic philanthropy. Mark is based in New York and resides in New Jersey with his lovely wife and two daughters.

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