Interview with Basttardos

Have any of you played in other bands? Alex Campos: Yes. We had others projects in the past. It is almost 17 years involved with music.
How is it that you started playing music? Alex Campos: Since was little I used to hum melodies that came into my mind. I always ha a great passion for music e naturally later I won my first guitar. Since then I did not stop.
What are your names? / Who plays what? / How old are you?
Alex Campos: Basttardos it is a band with 3 elements: Me, Alex Campos (Voice and Guitar), Bernardo Martins (Drums) e the mysterious Third Element “Terceiro Elemento” (Bass). Between 30 and 33 years.
Did you make music even when you were young? Alex Campos: Since I was young a started making melodies and write lyrics, keeping ideas in a little notepad. I always liked  to exercise my creativity and writing was the best way to express my feelings.
Where are you from? Alex Campos: Rio de Janeiro - Brazil.
What year did the band form? Alex Campos: In 2010.
What's your style of genre? Alex Campos: Rock/Metal is our base, but explore the creativity is our goal, without labels and style limitations. I think that is more interesting to not limit the audience, leaving the interpretation free.
What inspires you? Alex Campos: I believe that life itself it the main source of inspiration. You may not have the instrument at hands, you may just be walking in the street and a simple act of other can directly influence in a song. The inspiration is in the air, the catch is to have patience and pay attention to the “signs”.
How have you developed since you started with the music? Alex Campos: When you love what you does, you are always seeking knowledge, and the practice is fundamental. We are always developing, always with the intention to overcome our limits. I think it is healthy to face the work in this way. 
Do you have other interests of work outside the band?Alex Campos: The band itself takes a lot of time and dedication, because we handle all the details, from bureaucratic to artistic. But yes, we have others activities, or for necessity or for interest.
Are you looking for a booking agency, and what are your thoughts around that? Alex Campos: We do this work with love, and we dedicate ourselves to the maximum to handle everything in the most professional way as possible. We had some proposals, but we did not come to close a deal. We are open to future proposals.
Are you looking for a label, and what are your thoughts around that? Alex Campos: We had in the past others musical works, so when Basttardos was created we have already had some experience in the business. Since the beginning we keep everything a 100% independent. We released our albums this way, also all distribution and propagation, investing in the internet, because there is this possibility to reach people all around the world. However at the same time, the information becomes more disposable, fast and competitive, so in a way your work has to standout. A record or label certainly would help to disseminate our work more quickly and in a more embracing way, that would be great. In any case, we keep focused to take our music to the most people as possible. 
What made you decide to make this music? Alex Campos: Life is short. You can not deny your real mission in the world. Despite the obstacles in the personal life, music always was a certainty to me.
What are your songs about? Alex Campos: I am suspicious to analyze, but each song has its particularity. The priority is to express real feelings, be them good or bad.
Who does the composing and writes the lyrics? Alex Campos: Me.
Do you start with the music or the lyrics? Alex Campos: There is not a specific recipe in my composition process. The connection has more to do with the inspiration thing. A song may start with a simple melody, a riff, a sentence, a solo, etc. This freedom holds up directly in the final result.
Do you compose in a certain inviroment? Alex Campos: I am a little systematic, I need to feel comfortable to compose, but it is no worthy to try it if the inspiration is not kicking in. Sometimes when you least expect come an idea and you need to find a way to no let it get away, so I record in the cell phone no matter where I am. But sure, I have a space at home to work, and it is there where I feel good to do this.
What language do you sing in? Alex Campos: Portuguese - BR. We value our mother tongue. The music when is made truly has the power to touch people, no matter the language.
What ages are most of your concert attendants? Alex Campos: It is hard to answer this question. I have seen young people and “more experienced” people,  so to speak. (laughs) 
Do you always play the same songs live, or do you vary? Alex Campos: As we do not have the intention to limit our sound, the same happens in the shows, even if changing the order of songs  or making improvisations. But this relative, because it depends on the event as well.
Do you have a regular place you play live often? Alex Campos: Currently, no.
Have you had to cancel a gig? Alex Campos: Unfortunately yes, but not because of us. It happens that the event was canceled because of lack of structure.
Where do you plan to gig the comming year? Alex Campos: We are a willing to take our show everywhere in the world as long as we are respected.
When did you start to sell merchandise, and what do you have for sale? Alex Campos: Even before releasing our first album “Dois contra o Mundo”, we released some singles in the internet, then it began the search for products. Oficcialy, it started with the album debut. Today, beside the CDs, we have mugs, key chains, buttons, shirts, pocket calendars, guitar picks, stickers, etc.
Where can people buy your merchandise? Alex Campos: In our website, social medias or in our shows.
What do you think about people downloading music instead of buying records now a days? Alex Campos: I am a conservative guy in this aspect. Nothing like to open a CD and listen to it while devouring the booklet.(laughs) Fortunately there a peple like this yet, mostly musicians and collectors. Most people do not buy music like this anymore. I even understand the guy who downloads to check out if the album will please or if will enjoy the band; but if pleases him, the most fair would be to buy the physical material and honor thw work, right?!
How do you think the music industry have changed because of this? Alex Campos: It is a complex subject. Nowadays it is viable to release your music, reach you target audience and manage your own carrier. On the other hand, it is to much information. Every single moment a new band comes up, a new album is released… And this immediacy affects the assimilation by the consumer public in general, making everything more disposable.
What do you think of my work? Alex Campos: Being frank, it is fundamental work to help in the propagation of artists that need support.
How do you think and know that this interview will help you in the music business? Alex Campos: We are grateful and respectful with all communication media that are interested in our work. We truly face as a new opportunity to disseminate our ideal.
Do you have any role models or idols? Alex Campos: In my personal life, my father. In the artistic business, a few. (laughs)
Why do you think that they exist? Alex Campos: Something needs to inspire you so you can understand which will be your path. It is natural to use someone as model, but in my opinion, since the moment that you get in, it is necessary to know how to separate idolatry from healthy admiration. With time, the right thing to do is for you to develop your own personality, although it is natural to have something or someone as constant reference.
Is it easier to find inspiration from older bands, or bands that are more active today? Alex Campos: Good music is the one that touches you, being old or not. Obviously that the new bands are consequence of older bands, but we can not forget that music is the main artist e is it that will inspire or not.
What have been your biggest obstacles? Alex Campos: In fact, there are many obstacles, but we do not concentrate our energy on this. Without hypocrisy, we are determined to produce and give our best regardless of the circumstances. It is like killing a lion a day. 
What advice would you give other bands or artists? Alex Campos: Focus, humble and professionalism are the fundamental ingredients. Believe in yourself. Even it seems hard, nobody can say no to you except yourself. Doing right or wrong, there is always a motherfucker to criticize you. So persist. 
Do you have any new material? Alex Campos: Right now we are working in the propagation of our last released album entitled “O Último Expresso”. We are respecting its lifetime, because it is having a great repercusssion.
What are your web sites?
How can people reach you?
Alex Campos: Through our website, social media or by the e-mails: [email protected] / [email protected]
Do you have something to add?
Alex Campos: Thank you for the opportunity. Follow the news through our social medias. The legacy matters more.

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