QUARTZ! Surforeggae interviews Alexandre Carlo about his solo project — exclusive!

Alexandre Carlo, also known as the vocalist of the band Natiruts, released a solo project entitled "Quartz". Versatile, it shows a bit of his plural range of influences. To talk a little about the album, we spoke with him in this exclusive interview.

THE INTERVIEW

Surforeggae: Let's start by talking a little about the Brazilian music scene. Do you think Brazil is a musically democratic country today? We know there are listeners of various styles, but I'm talking about opportunities — do you think all types of music get their chance in the country? Alexandre Carlo: What I truly believe is that we have to create our own opportunities. That thought must come first. I will, I can, I am capable. Only then face reality, whatever it may be. Surforeggae: It's quite noticeable in your songs the influences of other musical rhythms, including in your work with Natiruts. Would you name three favorite musical rhythms you enjoy listening to? Alexandre Carlo: music from Central America (Jamaica, Cuba, Puerto Rico), American and Brazilian music. Surforeggae: Regarding the album 'Quartz', when did the idea come up? Are the compositions old songs you've been gathering and planning to record for a long time, or did you simply wake up one day with the thought "I'm going to make a solo album with versatile styles"? How was that process? Alexandre Carlo: There are old songs but most are recent. The reason was to show the public other sides of my musical life. Surforeggae: Reggae in Brazil has a quite different flavor (that's what the Jamaicans themselves say), even though some bands try to sound as close to the original as possible. In the country we see the rhythm somewhat as a separatist movement (promoted especially by those who love reggae). Do you think reggae should "circulate" at any kind of event with bands of diverse musical styles? Alexandre Carlo: The size of opinions is a reflection of the importance and relevance they have. I have always been and still am in favor of free music. If someone feels good putting a Portuguese guitar on reggae, what's the problem? Decharacterize reggae? But wouldn't reggae itself be a decharacterization of ska? I defend freedom of expression. If you want to make original roots, then do it. If you want to mix, mix. Surforeggae: You apparently chose the guests on the "Quartz" album carefully. Were the songs composed already thinking about these guests, or did the invitations flow naturally? Alexandre Carlo: They came up naturally. The songs were already composed and I chose according to each one's style. Surforeggae: Could you reveal which artists or styles have been on your mind lately? Did any of them have a direct influence on the songs on the record? Alexandre Carlo: I don't base myself on styles. At home I listen to whatever I want to hear at that moment. Surforeggae: I interviewed you once live by phone on the radio in Salvador on the occasion of a Natiruts show and we had a poll where I asked listeners and you which artists they would like to see in a duet with Natiruts. The answers were diverse, from Saulo Fernandes, Edson Gomes, etc. I'll ask the question again now to Alexandre Carlo as a solo artist — which artist would you like to record with who is not on the album? It can be national or international. Alexandre Carlo: Djavan and Claudio Zoli. I've known Pharrell Williams' work since 2004 and I believe we could have a good musical meeting Brazil/United States. Surforeggae: How was the process of choosing the song "Cabelo de Cachoeira" to be the music video theme for the work? How was the filming and whose idea and concept was it? Alexandre Carlo: The first video was for the song "Last Night" filmed in Portugal. "Cabelo de Cachoeira" was chosen because it has an opposite mood to "Last Night" and I wanted the public to have access to the various faces of the album.