Mr. Apache Project
Mr. Apache Project
Mr. Apache Project was founded on the idea of bringing fans and their musical idols closer together. What first inspired this vision, and how did it evolve into a real project?
The project's evolution happened naturally. Initially, created by Allan, the idea was simply a form of gratitude for everything that music has provided us throughout our lives. We wanted to do something that was satisfying, pleasurable, and at the same time, rewarding. That's how the idea arose to hire some famous musicians here in Brazil to play and record a music video with other musicians (no less talented) so that this moment could be registered.
What has been the most powerful or emotional moment so far where you saw this concept positively impact a musician or collaborator?
Well, this was so gratifying that subsequently, with the inclusion of Edubardo (Eduardo) and Trava (permanent members and founders), we moved on to the idea of a festival. We believe that there isn't just one single gratifying moment. Because, in a way, the videos bring results to everyone involved. It elevates the career and adds value for everyone, whether they are a professional musician or not. The music videos prioritize quality and production, ranging from costume design to mixing.
In your view, what are the biggest barriers preventing underground musicians in Brazil from breaking into the mainstream?
In Brazil, we believe that the biggest barrier for underground musicians is truly the lack of incentive. This ranges from the country's culture itself to the lack of resources and festivals of this kind. There is an audience that is very much in need of this. With so many political movements that have affected the country in recent years, it's easy to see that there is an audience hungry for underground music. The few nightclubs that offer this profile are always full, which demonstrates this trend affecting both the young and old.
How does Mr. Apache Project differentiate itself from a traditional cover or tribute band?
The main difference between Mr. Apache Project and other cover tribute bands is truly the band's structural form and its members. The idea is truly to unite famous musicians with others who are unknown. There is a rotation of all these musicians, with the exception of Allan, Edu, and Trava. Even now, as the group's sound has become well-defined, we are working to launch a cover album on streaming services called "Rockin' All Night Long", compiling all the songs already recorded into a tribute album to our great idols. Here is the draft of the cover for you to have a sneak peek of what this album will be. Here is our youtube channel with all the songs we already worked on and we want to put in the cover tribute album: https://www.youtube.com/@MrApacheProject
What inspired your decision to transform well-known songs into heavy rock and metal reinterpretations?
Another important point is to always bring a more Metal-oriented version of pop music. This idea comes from the desire to listen to pop music that is very good. It's to show the potential that a song like that has in different versions, like Metal.
How do you approach the creative balance between respecting the original song and making it completely your own?
We don't take away the essence of these songs. Instead, we add our playability, with more elaborate and faster riffs. We let the song breathe at some point so that it doesn't lose its identity, but then we attack with our style.
Your upcoming release of "Easy Lover" is a major focus right now. Why did you choose this song, and what can listeners expect from your version?
Easy Lover, our current project, shows a lot of this. It's a song we've listened to a lot over the past few months, and we thought it would be really cool to have a rock-metal version of it. The three of us sat down to workshop some riffs, and then when we showed it to the other musicians, everyone added something greater to become what it is now.
What were the biggest creative or technical challenges in producing this track?
The biggest challenge was working on the vocal part. Phil Collins & Philip Bailey are voice masters, but we had the help of Helleno Jr. who today is considered one of the great current voices in Brazil. He helped us with his incredible vocal power.
I'll leave here the final video of how our version of Easy Lover with Helleno as a guest turned out.
Producer Gus Solaris plays an important role in shaping your sound. How would you describe his influence on the project?
Our producer is Gus, owner of Greenhouse studio. And yes, he is a fundamental piece for the final result. His collaboration is very important. He has worked with big bands like Angra, Fabio Lione from Rhapsody, and many others. Gus has an excellent ear for rock, he is also a great guitar player, and he is very meticulous about every detail of his work. We bring the idea and the sound, and Gus refines that and masterfully finalizes our work.
The band features a three-guitar lineup. What advantages does this bring to your arrangements and overall sound?
Mr. Apache has 3 guitarists, as we are friends (Allan, Trava, and Edu). And each one develops an important and fundamental role in the band. Let's say that the 3 are fixed, and we can alternate riffs, solos, and bases. The main advantage is having three different perspectives on how a song can be. Two are good, but three just hits the perfect spot on adding or removing riffs, solos, and arrangements for any idea.
How do the three core members divide creative responsibilities within the project?
In the creative process, Edu and Trava have a more shred perspective. If we left it up to them, it would become Brazilian Cacophony. Allan is the brake for both; he has a much deeper feeling for the song, adding very precise riff motions and accurate rhythms. Again, this is the true magic of the three-way guitar core of Mr. Apache Project.
You are currently working as both musicians and professionals in your daily lives. How do you manage to balance these two worlds?
Music is an infinite passion. Everyone always finds a space to rehearse and figure out the songs we are going to work on. There are no barriers when it's time to play the instrument, and every meeting, every rehearsal, and every recording moment is a real party, which we share with friends and family.
What keeps your motivation and passion for music strong despite the demands of everyday responsibilities?
As I said, when someone loves the project with so much strength, you don't need something that motivates you. We invent spaces to work on the music and develop the project. The sole idea of knowing that today there is a rehearsal or a meeting in the studio already creates an inexplicable energy in us that even without sleeping we manage, obviously without setting aside other responsibilities.
Looking ahead, what is your long-term vision for turning this concept into a music festival?
For the future, we plan to hold a large festival at a concert hall here in São Paulo. It would be the "On Stage with Legends" Festival, where the fan will make their own history alongside idols. It's that moment when the guy who played in his room gets to share the space beside his reference... beside his idol.
This festival will depend on a few factors. But the most important is truly the value of the investment. And for this, we thought about using some incentive tools. Because here in Brazil there are some rules for private companies that can benefit fiscally by being part of these cultural projects. We are working on this at the moment.
If you had to describe the essence and mission of Mr. Apache Project in a single sentence, what would it be?
Love for cars with loud rock music