Brazilian-Canadian guitarist, music teacher, and songwriter with an impressive career in the music industry, Rod Rodrigues presented his latest creation and his first full-length this past October.
Entitled “Tales Of A Changing Life Part 2”, is a conceptual album, and is the second part of a story inspired by his move to a new country and starting a new life to follow his 2022 EP “Tales Of A Changing Life Part 1”.
Today, Rodrigues unveils his guitar video for the track “Inukshuk”, which features guest musicians John Macaluso on drums and Angel Vivaldi, who plays the second guitar solo.
“This was the first song I wrote for the album, and it’s the heaviest track. I play it on a 7-string guitar, giving it a modern prog feel with some fusion elements,” adds Rodrigues.
The video can be seen and heard below.
Fusing prog rock with Latin rhythms guitar virtuoso Rod Rodrigues has studied with renowned musicians Kiko Loureiro (Megadeth) and Greg Howe (Justin Timberlake, Michael Jackson) and has received degrees from IG&T and Claretiano University. Since 1997, he has been sharing his knowledge and skills as a music teacher in Brazil, Canada, and Europe.
His e-book Guitar Shred (2016) was released in both languages, Portuguese and English, and in 2018, the guitarist and teacher launched his online training course Extreme Guitar Workout, which has attracted hundreds of students from around the world. Over the years, he has also been a member of various bands, including Enemies of Reality and Falling Into a Dream (a Dream Theater tribute band).
As a solo artist, Rodrigues released his first EP in 2010, titled “The First Step: Introduction”, which gained recognition in several music publications, including Guitar Player, Cover Guitarra, and Guitarload, among others.
In 2019, he released his single “T.A.G.” followed by his concept EP, “Tales of a Changing Life Part 1” in 2022. Notably, “Tales of a Changing Life Part 1” featured the talented Marco Sfogli (James LaBrie, Premiata Forneria Marconi) on the track “Woodbine Sunset”.
Thanks to his outstanding work on “Tales of a Changing Life Part 1”, Rodrigues was voted one of the top 20 Guitar Players of 2022 by the readers of Brazilian Roadie Crew Magazine.
Rod Rodrigues produced his first full-length, “Tales of a Changing Life Part 2”, with mixing by Renato Osório and mastering by Kris Crummett (Nick Johnston, Issues, Sleeping With Sirens). For the album’s guests, Rodrigues recruited guitarists Hugo Mariutti, Angel Vivaldi, and Roy Ziv; bassists Heitor Tenorio and Bruno Ladislau; drummers John Macaluso (ARK, TNT, Yngwie Malmsteen, Riot), Rodrigo Abelha, and Lucas Emidio; as well as Orlan Charles (keyboards, piano, and saxophone), Rodrigo Sperandio (Brazilian viola), and vocalists Wesley Poison, Ana Carla de Carli, Andressa Alves, Caroline Grossi, Matheus Grossi, and Francis Botene.
“With Tales of a Changing Life Part 2, I believe I reached my peak as a musician and composer. Truly able to convey through music all the emotions of the transformation my life has gone through in the past 10 years. Moreover, I was fortunate to have the best team of musicians, each adding their unique and special touch to the work.” adds Rodrigues.
Recommended for fans of Dream Theater, Rush, Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, and Angra, “Tales of a Changing Life Part 2” was released on October 18, 2024, and is available at the following links:
Spotify – https://spoti.fi/3CwoigV
Bandcamp (CD + Digital) – https://rodrodrigues.bandcamp.com/album/tales-of-a-changing-life-part-2
Track Listing:
1 – Inukshuk – Feat. Angel Vivaldi and John Macaluso (6:31)
2 – On The Road (5:24)
3 – East Coast Memories – Feat. Roy Ziv (6:24)
4 – Dust In My Eyes (6:01)
5 – Saudade – Feat.Wesley Poison (1:41)
6 – Mom’s Lullaby (5:40)
7 – Tales Of A Changing Life Suite – Feat. Hugo Mariutti (11:32)
Total Time: 42:02
More info: Rodrodrigues.net | Facebook.com/rodrodriguesofficial | Instagram.com/rodrodriguesofficial