Photo credit: David Capibaribe
A Musicians' brain seem to excel at tackling new tongues due to their mastery of sound. And thanks to the nature of their training, vocalists may have a particular advantage. This is a scientific fact. However, does this make it easier for an artist to transition into a different music market that is foreign to the language of their heart?
Speaking or singing with the language of your heart makes the difference with the audience that you are targeting. However, transitioning over to another market dominated by a specific language, such as English or Spanish can bring about different results. Often, the results are not anticipated. In the past it was extremely difficult to be a successful Spanish artist and excel in a territory that was dominated by another language such as English. Times have changed. Music lovers have expanded their palette. They are accepting of artists coming from other countries. This is a welcome trend, as it adds such a huge dimension to the talent that we have available on our streaming platforms, etc.
One thing that goes unnoticed by your typical fan, is the level of difficulty that an artist might experience to succeed in an industry that is dominated by a specific language. We can compare, the difficulties of speaking another language. Maybe you have attempted to work in another country where the language of your heart is not spoken. Do you recall how difficult it was? Maybe this is a comparison that you can make, to help you understand what an artist experience.
Today, we will address this issue with our guest. Her name is Rayane Fortes. Her talent is extraordinary. Both in the Latin and English communities. If you are not familiar with Rayane Fortes, you will be by the end of this interview.
ABOUT RAYANE FORTES
Rayane turned all the chairs during the latest edition of The Voice Brazil and went viral with the season’s most-viewed video, which reached 7 million views. The artist was even praised by Madonna’s manager, Guy Oseary. In September 2023, Rayane shared the stage with singer Paulinho Moska at the RioMar Theater in Fortaleza, where they performed a duet of two of his hit songs, Idade do Céu”and “Pensando em Você.
The artist also shared the stage with Vanessa da Mata, Duda Beat, Maneva, Juliette, among others. On April 3, 2022, Rayane played guitar in the middle of the Castelão Stadium in Fortaleza, performing for more than 60,000 people at the Lampions show! The artist is preparing to release an EP in August of this year. Her musical style traverses rockin’ blues, jazz fusion, and new soul.
Rayane Fortes turned all the chairs during the latest edition of The Voice Brasil. In 2021, Rayane released Atenta, her first self-produced album. The record features 10 original tracks and explores genres such as Pop, R&B, and Blues. Filled with brass and guitar arrangements, Atenta delivers an engaging, modern, and exciting sound.
INTERVIEW WITH RAYANE FORTES AND GUITAR THRILLS MAGAZINE
Guitar Thrills: Hello Rayane, welcome to Guitar Thrills Magazine. It is a pleasure to speak with you today.
Rayane: Hello, it’s a pleasure to talk with you today! I’m really excited to be doing this interview with Guitar Thrills Magazine.
Guitar Thrills: As we focus on the topic from our interview, there are several questions that I would like to address. Was it difficult for you to break into music industry as a Latin artist?
Rayane: Actually, join the music industry was challenging mainly because I’m a woman. It’s a space still dominated by men. But being recognized globally as a Latina singer and guitarist happened naturally. Since The Voice, many of my videos have gone viral on the internet! That opened doors for me to collaborate with brands and artists from all over the world.
Guitar Thrills: What were some of your challenges?
Rayane: Well, I think one of the challenges is constantly proving that I’m just as good a singer and guitarist as so many men out there. Earning respect and being seen as an equal in that sense has been, and still is, a challenge.
Guitar Thrills: Did you anticipate remaining a Latin speaking artist, or did you want to also sing in the English language?
Rayane: I plan to sing in both languages, and I actually have some songs that mix the two. It’s not that uncommon in the music industry nowadays
Guitar Thrills: Have you had the chance to play in the U.S.?
Rayane: I haven’t played in the U.S. yet, but it’s definitely in my plans as soon as possible since it’s my second biggest audience after Brazil.
Guitar Thrills: What is the difference between the audience you were used to, and the one that you are singing to now? Do you get a different response from audiences that you perform in front of now? Please explain.
Rayane: Honestly, my audience has always been people who love guitar solos, blues, and soul. The difference is that it has grown a lot and fast, reaching beyond just my home country. Another difference is that nowadays, some guys tend to focus on small details of my outfits just to justify harassment. We all know that fame also comes with hate. So, when we talk about being a female guitarist, there’s still a lot of sexualization involved. Unfortunately, I must deal with unpleasant comments from time to time. Even though I’m not an artist who excessively exposes my body, I still think it’s important to talk about this. I choose not to, but I want to have the freedom to do it if I want to.
Guitar Thrills Broadcast
Guitar Thrills: Do you recall your first official break, as a professional artist?
Rayane: I think people expect me to answer this question by saying The Voice Brasil, when all the chairs turned for me. But honestly, the most unforgettable moment of my career was when I played for over 200,000 people in my hometown, Fortaleza, in the northeast of Brazil! It’s a coastal city, so the show was right by the ocean, on a massive stage, with a sea of people in front of me. The feeling of not being able to see where the crowd ended while I was playing and singing was absolutely magical.
Guitar Thrills: Who were some of your Latin inspirations? Also, have you had a chance to perform with them?
Rayane: Yes! I’ve been lucky enough to perform with amazing artists people I was a fan of and still am. Some of them I never imagined sharing the stage with! One of them is the Brazilian guitarist Torcuato Mariano, who was my producer on The Voice and has worked with big names like Cazuza and Djavan. I’ve also shared the stage with Faiska Borges, Cacau Santos, Paulinho Guitarra, Roberta Campos, among others.
Guitar Thrills: Who has helped contribute to the success that you experienced to this point?
Rayane: My family, who has always supported me, my manager Bruno, and little Rayane the kid who always believed in herself.
Guitar Thrills: Will you know when your musical aspirations have been achieved? Also, what are some of the accomplishments that have not been experienced yet?
Rayane: I’ll never really know when I’ve arrived it’s a continuous journey and constant work. Music isn’t just an effort I make to reach a specific place; it’s something much bigger than that. But like any artist, I have dreams and ambitions. One of the achievements I’m aiming for soon is a tour across my entire country (which is huge, and I haven’t even seen all of it yet), as well as in the North America, Europe, and neighboring countries.
Guitar Thrills: There are many Latino artists in the music industry. Do you feel the competition is overwhelming? How do you cope with it, without letting it discourage you?
Rayane: I believe there’s room for all artists, and I don’t find the competition overwhelming. Living in a multicultural country, we have a diverse range of musical styles and expressions, each with its own identity. The advantage is that there aren’t many women guitarists and singers in the blues-influenced style I work in, which really helps me stand out in this segment.
Guitar Thrills: What do you think about your opportunities for longevity in the Latino music industry?
Rayane: We’re in the technology era it’s literally a world full of opportunities. Anything can happen!
Guitar Thrills: You have an amazing talent as a guitarist, how did you get started and what were some of the obstacles that you faced?
Rayane: Thank you! I think I had to push myself to play better than the average to stand out and be recognized in this male-dominated industry.
Guitar Thrills: Is there a particular brand of guitar that you would choose over another, if so why? What makes it so unique?
Rayane: I've received offers from many well-known brands, but I'm looking for something that really stands out to me, something unique... I guess I've found that, and I'm about to sign a partnership to be announced in the coming weeks!
Guitar Thrills: Tells us about your recent accomplishments, and what you are looking forward to with an upcoming album release?
Rayane: I have some amazing surprises for you with my upcoming releases stay tuned!
Guitar Thrills: I think it has been an excellent opportunity to speak to an accomplished Latin artist, who knows the industry well. I want to assure you, that we want to help promote anything you are doing in the music industry. Your authentic, and you have a unique quality to help you stand out from the rest. Thank you for taking the time to interview with Guitar Thrills Magazine.
Rayane: It was so much fun talking to you! I really admire the work of Guitar Thrills Magazine, and I’m super excited to see the article and share it with my followers!
Big hug!
A RECAP OF WHAT YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED
