Photo by: Bruno Paraguay
The band from Minas Gerais spoke exclusively with Wikimetal about the release of their work and the current music scene
A track that plays with imagery kicks off the EP The Watcher by the Minas Gerais band NUDZ . Next, “Time for Recreation” showcases nu metal in its simplest form with a touch of stoner and post-grunge. The work continues with this sound through the other four tracks.
The Watcher is the first EP from the band formed by Aldrin Salles (drums and backing vocals), Felipe Valente (bass), Filipe Dutra (vocals and guitar) and Fred Chamone (guitar and backing vocals), with whom we spoke about the release and the current music scene.
It all started in 2015 when Fred was looking for a drummer and a bassist to accompany him at a New Year's Eve show in São Tomé das Letras, Minas Gerais. The guitarist sought recommendations from friends and colleagues and met Aldrin and Felipe. The trio quickly connected through their love of music, and especially grunge, stoner, and heavy metal. “We developed some riffs in jam sessions and suddenly Filipe Dutra appeared, with his impactful vocal lines and lyrics,” Fred recounted in an exclusive interview with Wikimetal . “Valente contributed a raw bass tone, and that's how NUDZ was created.”
Since then, the group has been working on The Watcher , a work that clearly exposes the influences of the musical genres Fred mentioned. “Indirectly, [we were also influenced by] 60s and 70s rock, punk rock, hardcore, blues, and hard rock,” he reveals. The EP was the result of a project made among friends, without grand dreams of conquering the world, which certainly contributed to the lightness that the tracks bring to the listener. The smoothness contrasts with the heavy riffs and Filipe's intense voice, as well as the lyrics that address themes such as the problems of current society.
“It’s about a society controlled by signs, cameras, algorithms, internet opinions, images, statistics, everything. And about ‘letting yourself be controlled.’ For example, when you join a social network, you give away your information and give a company the right to use your data,” reveals Fred about The Watcher, also explaining that he believes this is the role of music in society. “The function of music and art is to provoke.”
I hope we can be a more just society, where more love reigns, and people value rock culture more. I believe that alternative rock is a good way to break free from this rotten, corrupt, loveless world. We are happy making this kind of music, and for us, that's the most important thing.”
This ideal extends to the group's vision, and especially Fred's, regarding the Brazilian music scene. The guitarist confesses to believing that today there is "a lot of demand and little supply" of quality alternative rock. "Of course, there are at least 10,000 rock bands," he says, "But few have the tools at their disposal to create something truly high-level that can compete with the foreign bands."
Much of this problem stems from the internet, and many would agree. Back when MTV was the most important source of new music, bands and fans had a single platform to follow; now the scenario is completely different. “My impression is that MTV exploded into millions of pieces on the internet. What's left is a pulverized fog of bands, niches, all very isolated and weak. However, it's up to us to foster this scene, produce events, create content, connect with other bands, and have more than just a social media presence: the organic aspect, going to shows, hanging out, making things happen, and having fun.”
“Here in Brazil, you don’t see people working in professions that are fundamental to the functioning of the music scene. You don’t see executive producers, managers, bookers, financiers, and even sponsors, who are rare these days. Cultural incentives are also another flawed and unfair tool in Brazil.” But Fred remains optimistic about the future of Brazilian rock. “Rock is avant-garde and will never be forgotten.”
According to him, the genre has never been and never will be threatened; the talk of "rock is dead" is false and misguided. "Rock is here and always will be, it's just old."
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