Today we’d like to introduce you to Alef.
Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
I was born in São Paulo, Brazil during a time when the nation was under a dictatorship regimen. My love for music started early. A passion ignited most likely by the exposure I had to the world of live music, studio sessions and just by being around musicians almost all of the time since I was very young. A very common trait when your dad is a music writer and producer, among other things.
Despite being born in a middle-class family, getting around professional music gear and even music records, in general, was very costly prohibitive under the economic and political circumstances.
I always loved the English language, especially for music. I think is just as synthetic as it is musical.
So for years, I dreamed of creating music here in the USA. Where I could experiment with American lyricism and music styles right where they belong. And maybe then combine what I’ve learned with some of my favorite Brazilian rhythms and sounds.
A then far-fetched dream for a south-American kid. So I went on and grabbed any opportunity of working with music I could. I went from playing house gigs to creating radio spots, recording jingles, producing artists and even DJing at some pretty major events at the time.
But my goal remained the same. Making music right next to where my biggest idols created their crafts. From The Doors to Moby, from The Beach Boys to The Chemical Brothers. I knew I needed that experience, that inspiration.
So finally in 1999 and with the motivation of a long time friend I finally made the move and landed in California eager to soak in both the sun and the soul of this beautiful land.
I soon realized that if I wanted to survive in the Wild West, I had to learn its ways as fast as possible. Not only I knew I needed to master communicating in English real quick but I had also decided that if I wanted to survive, I had to embrace their way of life. Hot sun and lazy sand made it a bit easier.
So when I decided that this was the place that I wanted to live in I started to grab every opportunity I had. I started from the bottom. Delivering papers, working as a cook for a small Italian restaurant. I even learned to operate a jet hammer (not a complete rocket science though but I sucked at it) to help build La Jolla’s main water reservoir.
Little by little and year after year I chased and landed better and better opportunities. I free-lanced as a graphic designer, as a beauty pageant producer and even promoted my own events.
I then settled down and raised a family. I was married for seven years. Having a child got me in touch with my spiritual core in a different way. I became more alert to other people needs and the world around me. I also got in touch with my holistic health background that I inherited from my grandma. I then became a healer and for years that was all I cared about.
Even though I never stopped being involved with music creation at some sort of degree, long gone were the days where I did nothing but thinking and breathing only music.
That is until my then 12-year-old son whom have been making comedy bit videos since the age of 6 started to gain notoriety as a comedian on the Snapchat platform. As the demand for his content increased, so did also his need of my support not only as a father but also as a writer, director, photographer, and most importantly music producer. We became an all in one production company of the sorts being around so many creators and composing more and more content pieces really did a number in me. The spark has been flicked and the passion for music – the fire was burning once again.
Almost 20 years later and about a year ago I started to write more than ever, producing, recording and mixing a full album with 17 radio ready songs due on the summer of 2019. I am also finishing another album entirely of new age style music tune to 432Hrz which creates an immersive aural experience based on the Fibonacci method. I won’t bore you with nerdy details but feel free to google that. I am also working on a music reality show that will be shot in vertical video. More details coming soon.
And what is most important to me is that I still create and produce daily content in collaboration with and for my son Didi Rio, whom I owe the inspiration to always following my own heart.
Please tell us about your art.
Many have said it before but music is a universal medium and to me not only for ideas and emotions but It can also lead one on a spiritual journey.
That is why I make music. In every note, in every beat, I can imprint an idea, a feeling, and even a philosophical bite. For that reason, I don’t contain myself to only one style or genre. Instead, I let the music flow through me untouched, naked, raw and only then I give it a style, a wardrobe if I may.
My goal is always to inspire as many people as possible to not only pursue their dreams but most importantly, figure out what those dreams are. I want to inspire people to ask to themselves “Who am I?”.
Do you have any advice for other artists? Any lessons you wished you learned earlier?
My biggest advice is always to stay authentic to yourself. Following your heart is always the safest way.
If I could go back and teach my younger self one thing, it would be to not try to be like anyone. That advice alone would have spared me a handful of heartaches.
How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
You can find my music as well as everything else I create on almost all platforms and everywhere internet exists by following my handle: @ThisisAlef.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.ThisisAlef.com
- Email: ThisisAlefMedia@gmail.com
- Instagram: @ThisisAlef
- Facebook: Facebook.com/ThisisAlef
- Twitter: @ThisisAlef
Image Credit:
Photos by: @ThisisAlef and @DidiRio
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