Meet Rafa Souza

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Rafa Souza. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Rafa below.

Rafa, appreciate you making time for us and sharing your wisdom with the community. So many of us go through similar pain points throughout our journeys and so hearing about how others overcame obstacles can be helpful. One of those struggles is keeping creativity alive despite all the stresses, challenges and problems we might be dealing with. How do you keep your creativity alive?
Basically, I use to listen different musical genres every single day and I apply the improvise. It works very good to me and I consider the explanation for me being versatile on guitar and keep myself with different musical languages on my fingers and be ready to opportunities as live performance, sessions in studio, productions etc.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
Originally from Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil, I was born into a musical family including my many uncles, some of whom have gone pro. I grew up in the midst of rehearsals and during my childhood, I was constantly breathing music.

At age 12, I began studying classical guitar. 2 years later, I watched Slash of Guns ‘N Roses playing electric guitar, and my passion for rock music and especially the electric guitar was changed forever.

I began to study electric guitar at the infamous CROMAT school in my hometown and gained experience playing classes with different local musicians. At 16, I started to play in a professional party band and this was when my career began to take off.

I then connected with many rock musicians from his city, who played in several different cover bands, and I started to perform too. I am influenced by music icons: Jeff Beck, Vivian Campbell, Eduardo Ardanuy, Al Pitrelli, Andy Timmons, Greg Howe, Guthrie Govan, Allan Holdsworth, Al Di Meola, Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, Slash and others.

My passion for music was so great, that in 2011 I decided to open my own music studio, exclusively for practicing bands and sessions. I started studying sound-engineering with established local sound-engineers in Brazil. I had mastered both sides of my musical life; one as freelancer musician and the other as a producer.

In 2018, I achieved second place at The Campinas Guitar Festival, a guitar contest in my hometown sponsored by Tagima Guitars, with top musicians from Brazil.

I had played with many different artists in Brazil, and in 2019, I was invited to play with Tim Ripper Owens (ex-Judas Priest/ Iced Earth) on his tour of South America. After this tour, I moved to Southern California to expand my career. I am currently lead guitarist for the Wikkid Starr band based in Los Angeles and has opened for many famous rock bands worldwide including: Steelheart, Dokken, Kingdom Come, XYZ, Asia, Lou Gramm, Shark Island, Sweet, and in 2022, Quiet Riot. I continue to freelance for local artists and enjoys working on sessions and productions for the industry at RS STUDIOS in West Hollywood.

I am sponsored by “Anatomy Of Sound” 3D Guitar Picks, an established, innovative company based in Southern California.

I am very excited to this year, many shows are coming and in particular, I will be playing at NAMM Show on April 15th in the afternoon and at night, the same day, I will be performing with my band in Santa Ana, Orange County. You guys can check it out all dates on my website rafasouza.com

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
First of all I consider my perseverance to conquer what I wanted and where I expect arrive. Second important thing is I am updated and keep my focus and learn more and more, because music there is not ending, it is a constantly learn. Third important thing is develop a good relationship with promoters, producers, musicians, industry in general.

My advice for folks is, keep your focus on, be honest with everyone and if you like my philosophy, thank you, go ahead.

Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?
Depending of situation I take a break, I ask some help etc. My advice is not suffer quiet, talk with trusted people and try to figure out the best solution. After that, just put in practical the plan.

Contact Info:

Image Credits
Ernesto Pletsch

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