“The blues is made with soul, love and anger at the same time. And It’s truthful. People identify with something truthful. And of course, it’s so good to listening to!"

Artur Menezes:

Covered All the Shades of Blues 

Based in Los Angeles, Brazilian musician Artur has been touring the US consistently. When not headlining, he’s supporting Buddy Guy, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Eric Gales and Kingfish. He also tours Europe and Brazil annually. When not touring, he teaches guitar at the Musicians Institute in Hollywood, CA. In 2024, besides his headline dates in the US, Europe and Brazil, Artur will be joining the “Experience Hendrix Tour” in the United States and will be opening for Buddy Guy in a couple of dates. He’s also currently writing new songs to be recorded soon. In 2023, Menezes performed for the second time at Eric Clapton’s Crossroads Guitar Festival sharing the stage with Kingfish and Grace Bowers. He was also one of the headlines of the Best Of Blues and Rock Festival in Brazil alongside Buddy Guy, Steve Vai and others. First time was in 2019 after winning the Grand Prize in a contest promoted by Ernie Ball. Artur won the Gibson/Albert King Award for Best Guitarist by the Blues Foundation and scored 3rd place at the 2018 International Blues Challenge in Memphis.                                             (Photo: Artur Menezes)

He toured Europe, USA, Mexico and Argentina. In 2012, Artur played the opening shows for Buddy Guy in his South American tour in Brazil. Concerned about disseminating and expanding access to blues in Brazil, Artur was one of the founders of the society "Casa do Blues" (House Of Blues), he remained on the board of the project until early 2013. Artur Menezes offers a striking reinterpretation of D’Angelo’s “Till It’s Done (Tutu)”, the second single from his upcoming EP "covered, vol. i". The track trades neo-soul subtlety for hypnotic groove, saturated fuzz, and a spacious, psychedelic arrangement that leans into Menezes’ evolving sound. The EP sets the tone for Menezes’ next full-length album of original material, offering a preview of the sonic direction ahead: groovier, more experimental, and less tethered to genre expectations. The first taste of this evolution came on June 2025 with the release of “I Got Mine,” a heavy psychedelic blues rock take of the song by The Black Keys.

Interview by Michael Limnios

How has the Blues and Rock music influenced your views of the world and the journeys you’ve taken?

Rock came first when I was a child and trying to copy my older brother. Nowadays it sharps part of my sound. But the Blues is what moves me! Blues brought me where I am now. All my decisions were made based on this amazing genre.

What do you learn about yourself from the blues and what does the blues mean to you?

I learn how to be more emotive in many ways (not only musical) and how to play guitar and sing with feeling, with soul. Do you know when someone get a tattoo with the name of the lover partner? The same with me: I gotta a “blues tattoo.” The only difference is that I know I’ll never regret! Blues means so much to me.

“I met great bluesmen in US and in Brazil (sometimes I’m playing as a host band for foreign blues artists here) and many of them always said: be yourself! Don’t be afraid to take risks and act naturally." (Photo: Artur Menezes, Brazilian born B.L.U.E.S. musician, based in Los Angeles USA)

How do you think that you have grown as an artist since you first started making music? What has remained the same about your music-making process?

I believe I became more true to myself. Time and experience brings maturity and that's a big part on the development of an artist. Now I know better who I am and what I'm able to do. I'm still learning though and I think you should never stop learning. What remained the same is the heart. I still play and sing from my heart.

Currently you’ve one release with a covers collection. How did that idea come about? Do you have any interesting stories about the making of the new album Covered Vol.1?

“covered vol. i" is an EP I decided to do just to keep busy while I'm writing new songs for my next album. It also shows a little bit of the direction I'm going. I released the first single in July, "I Got Mine" by The Black Keys and now releasing second one which is "Till It's Done (Tutu) by D'Angelo. Third single will come up Late September. The idea is to take songs that I like and that are not necessarily in the style I play and making them my own. I'm having a good time but I can't lie: recording originals is way more satisfying than recording covers. Can't wait to start recording my new album!

What has been the hardest obstacle for you to overcome as a person and as artist and has this helped you become a better blues musician?

Life in general nowadays. And it's still an obstacle. I think technology and social media got to a place that’s getting in the way and it's actually isolating ourselves instead of bringing us together.

“The freedom of being myself and express my feelings. The creativity comes when I'm the zone, really living in the present moment.” (Photo: Artur Menezes, played the opening shows for Buddy Guy in Brazil)

Why is it important to we preserve and spread the blues? What's the balance in music between technique (skills) and soul/emotions?

Blues is the Mother of so many music genres. It doesn't matter if you're not a blues musicican, but if you respect and master the blues you can be so much better expressing yourself in any other style. In my opinion, keeping the Blues alive can go two ways: playing traditional (so you are like a museum, preserving the history and legacy) and playing modern, mixing with other styles (which can be benefitial to bring new and newer audiences to the Blues). And you can do both! That's what I do on my shows. Of course this is just discussing muysically, but Blues is so much more than just the music. It's culture, history, legacy etc.

What are you doing to keep your music relevant today, to develop it and present it to the new generation?

To be honest I don't think about that. I just write songs from my heart that I feel connected and enjoy singing and playing and I'm thankful a lot of people (older and younger) dig them!

As an indie musician, how do you navigate the balance between creative freedom and commercial appeal?

I don’t aim for commercial appeal. If I did, I wouldn’t be playing blues oriented music, I’d probably be doing some Pop stuff instead. But then that would go against my statement on first question: "What remained the same is the heart. I still play and sing from my heart."

What experiences in your life make you a GOOD BLUESMAN and SONGWRITER?

I don’t know if I’m a bluesman. I love blues and I play the blues with passion and soul, but I guess I still have to travel a long road to become one. But I’m on the way! Well, I’ve been living by myself since I was 17. Before that, I spent a lot of time alone, because my parents are separated and my mother used to work so much to create us. She was a university teacher (psychology) during the day and singer at night. She still sings Brazilian music. She’s amazing! So, many times, my guitar was my best friend. Also when I lived in Chicago (2006, 2007 and 2011) I was so lonely. When you are lonely, you know more about yourself. You meet your real “you”. That’s a great motive to compose new songs.                                                 (Photo: Artur Menezes)

“Life in general nowadays. And it's still an obstacle. I think technology and social media got to a place that’s getting in the way and it's actually isolating ourselves instead of bringing us together.”

How do you describe Artur Menezes sound and progress, what characterize your music philosophy?

I try to act as myself. I wish I had a powerful blues voice, but I don’t. So, I try to sing with the voice I got. I don’t try to emulate a voice that I don’t have. I think it’s good because you can sound more naturally and true. Another thing is that I used to be so traditional. To me, blues was closed and had to be played without changing anything. It was such a dilemma to me, because besides blues, I like other styles of music (rock, country, funk, soul, Brazilian music, reggae). Then I went to Chicago. I thought I would meet there nothing but the blues, traditional blues. I was wrong. I saw great blues musicians, not only younger musicians, but mature ones, mixing blues with hip-hop, rap, funk, rock! So I realized: if they are North Americans, blues is “their music and they’re not traditional, why should I be? So it was the moment I think I discovered my thing: mix blues with many kinds of music. I’m still developing that. For example, I always try to play a famous song from the place I’m playing. I was in Mexico, I played “Santana”. In Argentina, I tried to mix blues with “Tango”. In July I might go on tour to Europe. Who knows I can book some concerts in Greek and play some blues with Rebetiko! The themes of the lyrics are so similar! The same happened with blues and “Baião”, a Brazilian kind of music from my place (northeast of Brazil).

What do you love most about the act of music? Where does your creative drive come from?

The freedom of being myself and express my feelings. The creativity comes when I'm the zone, really living in the present moment.

What are some of the most important lessons you have learned from your paths in blues scene and circuit?

Always be honest and always be yourself. That's what makes the blues real and authentic.

What has been the hardest obstacle for you to overcome as a person and as artist and has this helped you become a better blues musician?

When I started meditation a few years ago I realized that the hardest obstacle was my mind. Too much thinking can really ruin things. So, when I learned to relax and to be in the moment, my playing, singing and understanding of music as an expression, an art, got much better.                        (Artur Menezes, IBC 2018 / Photo by Roger Stephenson)

“When I started meditation a few years ago I realized that the hardest obstacle was my mind. Too much thinking can really ruin things. So, when I learned to relax and to be in the moment, my playing, singing and understanding of music as an expression, an art, got much better."

Which is the most interesting period in your life? Which was the best and highlight moment of your career?

The most interesting period is always “now”. We are always thinking that the past was better than the present and always wondering how the future will be. So, I try to enjoy the present, because life’s running so fast. I guess the best moment of my career was when I played the open acts of Buddy Guy’s South America Tour in 2012. I played in São Paulo and in Rio de Janeiro. It was amazing! I love Buddy Guy’s style. I had the great chance to play with him in a JAM Session on his club (Buddy Guys’ Legends, Chicago) in 2011. Then, one year later, the open acts in Brazil. I’ve been listening Buddy Guy’s music since I was 11.

How do you describe your previous album Keep Poushing (2018) sound and songbook? What characterize album's philosophy?

This album is the most special one. It's the first album that has someone else besides me producing. I had the honor to have Josh Smith doing this. He's one of the best guitarists in the world and one of my favorites. Also a great friend. It's also my debut album in US. I mode here about a year and a half ago. For this record I have 10 songs, all originals. They have some traditional vibe going on, but it's modern too. But super bluesy! Vintage tones and great arrangements and sound.

Are there any memories from KEEP PUSHING studio sessions which you’d like to share with us?

Josh Smith, who produces the album, plays 13 gauge strings on his guitar. And he doesn't even tune half step below. Which means the tension on his guitars are super heavy! He wasn't happy with the tone in one of the songs and he made me record with one of his guitars. Man, it was tough!! Hahaha

Are there any memories from Kingston Mines, B.L.U.E.S, Rosa’s, and Katherina’s which you’d like to share with us?

Absolutely! I had the best time of my life when I was in Chicago. I was going to JAM Sessions and sitting in with some bands almost every night. I was already a professional musician in Brazil, playing blues actually. But in Chicago I improved a lot. The biggest moment besided many for me was when Buddy Guy joined me on stage when I was jamming in his club "Buddy Guy's Legends".

"I believe the blues will never die. It’s cyclic. Sometimes the blues is on mainstream, most of times on underground." (Photo: Artur Menenez jammin' on stage of B.L.U.E.S in Chicago, IL USA)

What has made you laugh and what touched (emotionally) you from your experiences at IBC in Memphis?

I cried (a lot!) when they announced that I won the "Albert King Award" for Best Guitarist and cried again with the 3rd place for the band. It was a recognition of many years of hard working and passion dedicated to the Blues. I laughed (a lot!) with my band mates. It was the first experience on the road with my new band here in US. My bass player, Gui Bodi, is so funny!

You're one of the founders of the society “Casa do Blues”, what were the reasons that you started it?

We started this society in Brazil called "Casa do Blues" - means House of the Blues - years ago in my hometown. It was a reunion with members from some blues bands there with the purpose of creating a better scene for the genre. We made everything super professional and we got sponsorship from companies and government. So, with that money and exposure, we were promoting free blues concerts all over. Also workshops and music lessons. All about the Blues.

What are some of the most memorable gigs and jams you've had? Which memory makes you smile?

For sure, the most memorable was when I played with Buddy Guy. Another one was when I went to Chicago for the first time. I didn’t speak almost anything in English! And I went to a JAM Session at B.L.U.E.S. on Halsted. Someone said “Messin With The Kid”. I knew the song and I understand it. Then I asked “What’s the Key?” Someone answered “C!”. “C”sounds like “see”, right? “See” sounds like “Si”in Portuguese. “Si” is the key of “B”. So, “one, two, you know what to do!”And then everybody played the riff of the intro in C and I played in B! Hahahah! It was hilarious!

Which meetings have been the most important experiences for you? What is the best advice ever given you?

I met great bluesmen in US and in Brazil (sometimes I’m playing as a host band for foreign blues artists here) and many of them always said: be yourself! Don’t be afraid to take risks and act naturally.

”Rock came first when I was a child and trying to copy my older brother. Nowadays it sharps part of my sound. But the Blues is what moves me! Blues brought me where I am now. All my decisions were made based on this amazing genre."

(Photo: Artur Menezes)

What's been your experience from USA? Are there any memories which you’d like to share with us?

It was the best time of my past ever. I used to play every night in JAM Sessions, as a guest or with some bands (for example, The Shakes Blues Band from Chicago). Of course they were not only musical experiences. I had the great opportunity to know different cultures and to learn how to manage by myself. One of the greatest experiences was when I went to Trinity Church to see the choir singing.

What do you miss most nowadays from the blues of past? What are your hopes and fears for the future of music?

The true. Many musicians try to sound bluesy, but they forget the most important: feel the blues. So, it becomes something mechanical the most of times.

I believe the blues will never die. It’s cyclic. Sometimes the blues is on mainstream, most of times on underground. I like what modern blues artists such Gary Clark Jr, John Mayer and Jonny Lang are doing. They play something modern, pop, but always putting some blues sauce. This way, people that don’t know about the blues can be introduced to it.

Make an account of the case of Brazilian scene. What are the lines that connect the legacy of Blues from US to Brazil?

Well, we got a big Rock scene around here. Rock is son of the blues. So, we owe a lot to blues. Nowadays, the blues scene is growing back. There are many blues festivals in Brazil. Some cities have radio programs, some schools teach the blues to heir students.

What has made you laugh lately and what touched (emotionally) you from the local blues circuits?

Well, to be honest, we don’t have great blues singers. Recently we lost a great one, Ricardo Werther. He was fantastic. But we have great guitar players and great harp players.

“Blues is the Mother of so many music genres. It doesn't matter if you're not a blues musicican, but if you respect and master the blues you can be so much better expressing yourself in any other style. In my opinion, keeping the Blues alive can go two ways: playing traditional (so you are like a museum, preserving the history and legacy) and playing modern, mixing with other styles (which can be benefitial to bring new and newer audiences to the Blues). And you can do both!” (Photo: Artur Menezes)

If you could change one thing in the musical world and it would become a reality, what would that be?

I would change the music media. TV and Radio are killing the good taste! People has not a bad taste, they just don’t have the opportunity to know good music. Of course, taste is so personal. But I’m talking about music that is not played with instruments or music that talks about bad things, dirty things, violence, drugs...

Why did you think that the Blues music continues to generate such a devoted following?

Because blues is made with soul, love and anger at the same time. And It’s truthful. People identify with something truthful. And of course, it’s so good to listening to!

What is the impact of Blues music and culture to the racial, political and socio-cultural implications?

Blues was a driving force helping the Civil Rights Movement. It brought together everyone and showed that we are all the same. Also, the Blues is the foundation of the American music. We wouldn't have Jazz, Funk, Soul, Rock etc without the Blues.

Let’s take a trip with a time machine, so where and why would you really wanna go for a whole day..?

England. Don’t know for sure the date, but I guess it was about 1967/68. I would like to be with Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton and Jimmy Page when they saw Hendrix playing for the first time.

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(Photo: Artur Menezes)