Musician also spoke about the current rock scene in Brazil and concerts by artists he admires
Ten years have passed since "¡Adios Esteban!", the debut album of Esteban Tavares' solo career, reached the public's ears. Since then, the album has become a true classic and Esteban has continued with a consolidated career, with songs and stage partnerships with Humberto Gessinger, sold out shows and, more recently, the news that the musician will open Fito's presentation Páez in Porto Alegre, on the 6th of May, in addition to having a series of concerts scheduled in Argentina.
In busy years, the classics are also born. That's how it happened in 2012, when "¡Adios Esteban!" came to the world, an album that is now celebrated in an extensive tour that demonstrates the success of the record.
Tavares spoke to WePlay about the album, career and tour. Check below:
WePlay: It's been 10 years since “¡Adiós, Esteban!'. What do you see as different about you, as a musician and person, since then?
Esteban: Well, I've aged, you know, mentally too. Today, I value other things in life. At the time of “¡Adiós, Esteban!' I would take a small problem and turn it into a record. I think this album was born out of that a lot. As the years go by, we worry about other things. Today I'm a much calmer guy, I was very anxious at that time. This problem with anxiety was a big way for the record to be made. I changed a lot as a person, I don't see myself in that situation anymore, but I believe they were songs that made me very happy and that I'm very proud to play. Musically, I may have changed a little, but as a person, I've changed a lot. This, of course, influences my future lyrics.
WePlay: You're revisiting this record on a commemorative tour right now. How was the process of creating this new show? Are the songs being performed the same way they were played when the album was released, or have new arrangements and versions been made?
Esteban: I'm trying to respect the record as much as possible. In fact this experience is for those who are going to watch the show. Those who are going to watch it have a very big memory, a very big feeling, so I've been trying to perform it in a more faithful way. Even because, after the tour ended there in 2012, I also changed the songs a lot at the shows and, now, I decided to go back to the original arrangements, mostly to please the public.
WePlay: If you could go back in time, what would you do differently in the making of this record?
Esteban: This record was recorded over a very long period of time. I started recording when I was still signed to Universal Music. I ended up leaving, recording it on Midas and then re-recording it in my own studio. I don't regret it much, as it was a new experience for me. That was how I managed to make a record at the time. Of course, if I could go back in time, I would want to go after a producer who could guide me. But I think the end result is really cool. I think it's a very responsible album for my solo career. Then I would leave it intact.
WePlay: In addition to playing with Humberto Gessinger, you wrote the track “Tchau Radar, A Canção” with him. How was this experience for you, considering that Humberto was recognized as one of the great lyricists of the 80's generation?
Esteban: I'm a huge fan of Humberto. He ended up discovering my sound without me knowing at the time of Myspace. He sent me a message on Twitter, asking if I would like to do a song with him and from that came "Bye Radar, A Canção". Together we also composed a track for his most recent album, the song is called "Bem A Fim". For me it's a super pride. He's a guy who was the ultimate reference in the lyrical aspect. The tour I took with him was wonderful. In his story there is a little bit of my presence and that is a very great pride. I never imagined even meeting the guy and ended up playing and
making music with him. It's a feeling of happiness that will never go away. I only have good memories and a great love for Humberto.
WePlay: Speaking of Humberto, you recently released a version for “Vida Real”. Why choose this song?
Esteban: I have a joke, because this song is not by Engenheiros do Hawaii, it was recorded on the album "Gessinger Trio", from 96, and I always said that the best album by Engenheiros in the 90s was "Gessinger Trio", although It wasn't for the Engineers. I like many songs on this record. I think "Vida Real" speaks to me a lot, it always has. It was a song that I heard and identified with a lot. I always wanted to release something by Humberto, you know. I chose "Vida Real" and had the incredible participation of Diego Dias, who is an accordion player at Vera Loca. This homage is done and I want to play it in the shows too.
"I'll tell you that I see the new trends in Brazil within rock very weak. I miss managers, record companies and investors looking for bands of young people."
WePlay: In addition to “Vida Real”, you've been releasing other singles since last year that will soon be on an acoustic EP. What has it been like working on this project and why did you choose the acoustic format?
Esteban: In fact, this project began to be thought of during the pandemic. As we couldn't do shows and gather a lot of people, I had the idea of re-recording some acoustic songs to continue promoting my networks. I decided to record songs that were important in my career and invite people I really like. This was the case with Roberta Campos, with Lucas, with Hélio, who sings at Vanguart, with Bemti. People I admire and am a fan of. I am very proud to have my friends with me.
WePlay: Your beginnings in music are closely related to the beginnings of Fresno, which emerged alongside other bands that were classified within the emocore scene. Nowadays, this scene concept seems to be more “spread”. How do you observe the new trends within Brazilian music, especially in rock?
Esteban: There's been an emo revival lately, right? But the revival is not definitive, it is a passing thing. I have distanced myself, although I use the terminology a lot, but sonically I have distanced myself. I'll tell you that I see the new trends in Brazil within rock very weak. I miss managers, record labels and investors looking for young people bands. I'm 41, folks from Fresno are hitting their 40s, from NxZero, too. But I miss the investment in young bands, so that there is a space. It's very different from what the scene was like in my time, where you formed a band at the age of 18, you went to play at Hangar 110, which is a classic house in São Paulo. and the concerts were sold out, because people were interested in seeing new things. Today, I see rock very isolated, due to lack of space. Brazil, very Americanized as it is, left rock a little aside. I'm not here anymore to make my name, I'm here to find space for this new crowd, so that this doesn't become extinct. It's more or less there.
"I think everyone should, if possible, watch Chico Buarque, who is our main lyricist, our great composer".
WePlay: You are an artist with a very well established career. What motivates you to continue composing and performing?
Esteban: The great happiness I have. I don't see myself as a guy who stays at home composing and doesn't travel to show it. The show is a big celebration of all the work I've done before. Performing is the great pleasure of the musician and I really can't see myself standing still. This year I'm going to Argentina to record an album and I'm already a little nervous, because I'm going to spend a month without doing shows. I am very passionate about the stage, the people who like me, my work. It's what makes me happy.
WePlay: Finally, can you name 3 concerts by Brazilian artists that you believe everyone should see at least once in their lifetime?
Esteban: First I'll go to the newer bands: Zimbra is a band that everyone should see when passing through town. It's a very good experience, Bola is a great composer, the band is great. I also think that everyone should go to a Humberto Gessinger show, for all the history he carries. He's a guy who has been stacking gold records since he started. He has a very rich and steady career. And I think that every Brazilian, if possible, should watch Chico Buarque, who is our main lyricist, our great composer.