Rodrigo Alarcon creates music guaranteed to make you reminisce of a carefree summer.
Through the international music organization SoFar Sounds, Jetset Times talked to musicians from England and Turkey to learn how they are dealing with the changing world. This week, we talked to Rodrigo Alarcon, a singer-songwriter from São Paulo, Brazil. Rodrigo is an “an old fan of SoFar sounds” ever since he attended a show in Sao Paulo, “it absolutely amazed me, just loved the concept and how SoFar teams deliver it gracefully.” While you can’t attend his concert in person right now, you can listen to Rodrigo’s calming at home performance streamed by SoFar. His music is guaranteed to make you reminisce of a carefree summer.
Due to the pandemic, Sofar Sounds canceled all of their live shows and launched an online Listening Room where musicians perform and receive donations from fans. Sofar also created a Global Artist Fund with a goal to raise 250,000 dollars to pay over 1,000 artists during these uncertain times. The organization promises that 100% of all donations goes to Sofar artists and any contribution will help musicians like Rodrigo Alarcon. So if you can, give Sofar Sounds as much support as possible. They are also a great way to discover new musicians like Rodrigo.
JST: Muito obrigada, thank you so much, Rodrigo for talking to Jetset Times about you and your music. I am curious to know more about your Brazilian rhythms and what genre you feel like you fit into.
Rodrigo: Hi everyone, it’s very good to be talking to you.: I am Rodrigo Alarcon, 28 years old, Brazilian singer and songwriter from São Paulo. I listen to lots of different kinds of music and that great variety definitely influences me when I am writing my own songs. Since Brazilian music is very rich and diverse, there is a lot to do in terms of research – I like experimenting with all those different genres that are comprised in our culture.
JST: What is the situation in Brazil related to COVID-19 and how have you been dealing with it so far?
Rodrigo: Unfortunately, Brazil is running to be the worst country to live during the COVID-19 pandemic. It seems like our president is focused on reaching rock bottom. I am taking precautions and changed my whole routine to take care not only of myself but of those around me, too. Our healthcare system is already collapsing and it is sad that a lot of people are only going to understand the real situation when they start to lose friends and family. Nevertheless, I will keep doing my part. In Portuguese we have the word saudade for the feeling you have when you miss someone or something. I would say that’s exactly what human kind is feeling right now, because we can’t see the people we love.
JST: How is the concert experience different between online and in-person for you? What are the pros/cons?
Rodrigo: There are certain things one really misses when performing in-person, like being up on the stage, hearing the crowd and looking them in the eye. On the other hand, you learn how to feel the love coming from the audience no matter how it comes. At first it feels a little strange to be alone with a smartphone camera staring at you and the only reaction you see are comments and hearts that pop at the screen. After a few tries, I got comfortable with the new setup and my managers came with a new idea for me to start hosting a weekly game show live on Instagram, in which people have 30 seconds to find objects (chosen by the audience) in their house in exchange for prizes. It was inspired by an old Brazilian TV show. So the bottom line is: it feels great to be in touch with fans and, in a way, to help people get through quarantine by giving them a reason to relax and be entertained.
JST: Has your creative process changed since being quarantined? If so, how?
Rodrigo: Not really, at least not yet. I think what changed was my way of dealing with having a lot more time to create and being ok with not being creative all the time. What I talk to most of my fellow artist friends, we have reached the conclusion that we can be our own worst enemies when forcing ourselves to create in such tense times. It shouldn’t be a problem to leave music aside for a while and start reading a book or do anything completely unrelated to our careers.
JST: Are there any new projects that you are working on or recently released?
Rodrigo: In February, we released my second videoclip – and first as director! – for a song called “15b”. The song features Mariana Froes, a very talented singer from Brazil. This Friday (5/15), we will be releasing a brand new song, called “Frágil Coração”. I wrote it during a very difficult time, when my father had a heart disease, so the song basically tells him to watch out for his health because he is loved and needed. There will also be a video clip for that song, so stay tuned – and subscribe to my YouTube channel!
JST: Where can people stay up to date with you and your music?
Rodrigo: Very easy! People can find me on Instagram (@rodrigoalarconoficial), Twitter (@ralarconoficial) and also on my YouTube channel. Most of my live performances happen there on Instagram, but we have been getting a lot of requests (especially after performing for SoFar) for YouTube live performances, so we will be getting there shortly. My whole catalogue is on Spotify, Deezer, Apple Music, Amazon Music and many more streaming services – hope you like it!
JST: Thank you Rodrigo! I am sure our readers will love it. Follow Rodrigo Alarcon on social media and support other international musicians by tuning in to SoFar Sounds Listening Room or donating to their Global Artist Fund.
From Sofar Sounds: stand in solidarity with everyone around the world feeling anger, grief and frustration at the killing and abuse of unarmed Black Americans in the U.S. In support of the Black community, we will be joining the music industry in pausing our listening room shows on Tuesday, June 2nd, 2020. We invited you to join us in using the day to honor George Floyd and consider our role in affecting positive change.
