Interview with . . . Pentral

Interview

Please tell us about your latest release.

“What Lies Ahead Of Us” is a concept album. It deals with a story of a couple, amazon forest inhabitants who give birth to a child and are chased by land-grabbers and force to run away from there towards the city receiving an unexpected support from the spirits of the woods, and facing racism, indiference and violence in the city.

Where was your first concert as a fan? A performer?

As a fan of a big band, watching Rush in São Paulo – Brazil in Vapor Trails Tour, in 2002. As a performer, in 2000 playing in a local venue in my city Belém – Brazil.

Do you have a bucket list? If so, what´s on it?

I truly believe that everything I could have done in my life to make me happy I´ve done already. I have a wondeful family, with a lovely daughter and wife, two rescue dogs, and many guitars, pedals, amps (laugh). It can´t get any better than this. As for the other members, I can say the same. But as for the music, there are many songs, stories, experiences and messages Pentral still has to share. So, there are still many goals to achieve.

What was the last thing that you read?

Les Misérables by Victor Hugo. A masterpiece.

What are you listening to at the moment?

As for the older stuff Prince and Stevie Wonder. As for the newer stuff, Nobody But Thieves, Foals, The Amazons and the latest album from Puscifer – Existential Reckoning.

If you weren’t a musician, what would you be doing?

A writer or a movie director.

Who would you like to collaborate with in the future?

Roger Waters, Peter Gabriel, Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson. They are amazing musicians!

What do you want people to know or think about your music?

Its feeling and authenticity, as music has to grab your attention by the right elements that really express a spontaneuous reaction. Besides that, the message Pentral songs try to inspire. Brazil is an unequal country. The whole world is deeply unequal. We need to exercise our empathy, music and art in general have to push people to think, reflect, and act.

What have you been doing during times of quarantine (music-wise and hobbies)?

Obviously, lots of guitar playing, singing, and thinking about new songs. Reading the news and try to capture new stories that need to be shared.

Has your songwriting process changed in the past year?

Not at all. I just let it flow from the absolute silence, and feel the vibrations and sounds that come from what I believe are parallel worlds that exist just beside us.

Is there a message you´d like to share with your fans or soon-to-be fans?

Work hard. Fight for your dreams. Be courteous with everyone but don´t think about yourself all the time. You´re not the center of the world, so look around and see what you can do to make people´s lives better.

What is something positive that happened to you in the past Covid-laden year?

Recording Pentral’s debut Album and rescue our second dog from the streets – Molly.

What are some things you are really looking forward to experiencing after some semblance of normalcy has returned?

Playing live, definitely. It’s going to be wild when we get back on stage, I can’t wait!