“Blues will be always the foundation of what I do musically and of course I want to still keep playing the blues scene, but my esound is evolving to fit other scenes such as rock, jam band, psychedelic, indie, insdustrial you name it haha! So I would love to be playing more clubs and festival of these genres as well.”

Artur Menezes: Microwaved Dreams

A Brazilian-born U.S. citizen based in Los Angeles for the past 10 years, Artur Menezes has toured extensively across the United States, Europe, and Brazil. Fresh off winning “Artist of the Year” at the Unsigned Only Music Awards—selected from more than 4,000 entries across over 100 countries—the guitarist, singer, and songwriter follows this major recognition with Microwaved Dreams, arriving November 20, 2026. Featuring guest appearances by Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, Eric Gales, and Ariel Posen, the nine-track release marks a new chapter in Menezes’ ongoing exploration of blues beyond its traditional boundaries. Menezes will kick off the touring cycle for Microwaved Dreams at Brazil’s Best of Blues and Rock Festival, sharing the bill with Eddie Vedder, Roger Daltrey of The Who, and Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, followed by a month-long European headline tour in Serbia, Greece, Romania, Austria, Hungarian, Croatia, Italy, and more. Earlier this year, he also performed at Lollapalooza Brazil 2026 as the only blues-rock artist on the lineup.

(Artur Menezes / Photo by Stephanie Anderson)

When not headlining, he has opened for legends such as Buddy Guy, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Eric Gales, and Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, and was part of the last two Experience Hendrix Tours (2024 and 2025). Off the road, he teaches guitar at the Musicians Institute in Hollywood, California, and hosts The Bluesadelic Sessions at The Den Studios in Downtown Los Angeles, a series of live concerts for artists rooted in the blues and shaped by psychedelic, rock, funk, and modern influences.

Interview by Michael Limnios                   Archive: Artur Menezes, 2025 Interview

Special Thanks: Nebojsa Petrovic & Artur Menezes

Congratulations on winning "Artist Of The Year"! How does it feel to have your single "Once Again"stand out among more than 4,000 global entries, and what does this recognition mean for your new chapter?

Thank you, Michael! It means a lot to me. First of all I'm very thankful for it and very proud. This recognition couldn't have happened in a better time. I recorded this album totally independently without labels and self-funded. Having the first single of the album already getting this huge recognition means that I'm going on the right direction.

The album title, "Microwaved Dreams", is incredibly powerful. What is the deeper message you want to convey regarding modern burnout and the impact of technology on our lives?

It comes from a place of frustration and nostalgia. The technology has been giving us amazing improvements, but at what price? More connected we get virtually, more disconnected we get as humans. So the nostalgia comes from the fact that not long ago, couple of decades maybe, we used to live completely different lives.

In this record, you blend traditional blues with the rural music of northeastern Brazil. How do these two distinct genres manage to "converse" musically within your tracks?

Lyrically: The urban legends about the devil are present in both cultures. Some of my songs use that metaphor to build the message and the story. Socially and historically: Here in the US with slavery, floods and in Northeast of Brazil where I was born and grew up, drought, hunger and slavery as well. Musically: "Baião", one of the many genres of brazilian northeastern music, has similarities with rhythm, chord progression and scales.

“Album’s title comes from a place of frustration and nostalgia. The technology has been giving us amazing improvements, but at what price? More connected we get virtually, more disconnected we get as humans. So the nostalgia comes from the fact that not long ago, couple of decades maybe, we used to live completely different lives.” (Photos: Artur Menezes: with Eric Gales, Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, Microwave Dreams album’s cover | Artur Menezes on stage / Photo by Lucas Parisi)

Microwaved Dreams features incredible guests like Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, Eric Gales, and Ariel Posen. How did these collaborations come about, and what do you feel each artist brought to the final result?

Eric Gales is one of my guitar heroes and I've known him since I was still leaving in Brazil. About 2 years ago we toured together and I'm really thankful for this opportunity. It was 9 shows. I was opening his show with my own band and almost every night he would call me on stage to jam during his set. We stayed in touch since then. I'm stoked that EG is on this album. He's definitely a living legend and one of the best to ever play a guitar!

I met Kingfish back in 2018 when I won the Best Guitarist Award during the International Blues Challenge in Memphis. Next year, during NAMM, I organized a concert featuring Guy King, RJ Ronquillo and many other amazing players. I also invited Kingfish and it was first time we played together. When he turned 21 he had a birthday concert and invited me as a special guest. Since then we stayed in touch. Then 2 years ago we toured together. It was 3 tours and I was opening his shows and also joining him during his set to jam. We also played together at the Experience Hendrix Tour. I had a blast! Kingfish as an amazing artist and I really appreciate having him on this album!

I met Ariel Posen for the first time at the Joe Bonamassa's blues cruise. I believe it was 2017. Since then every year he came to play in LA I went to see his show. I'm not just a big fan of his playing, but also of his tone. It's amazing to have him on this album and he played a killer solo on the track "Fake Reality"!

Alongside the classic fuzz guitars and heavy riffs, you also incorporate synthesizers. What made you decide to integrate this contemporary element into an otherwise vintage, blues-driven sound?

It comes from the variety of music genres I listen, which is not just blues oriented music, but especially from Pops Magellan (producer) who plays a huge part on incorporating synths to my sound. She also played bass on the album and some of the synths as well. She absolutely killed it!

“Lyrically: The urban legends about the devil are present in both cultures. Some of my songs use that metaphor to build the message and the story. Socially and historically: Here in the US with slavery, floods and in Northeast of Brazil where I was born and grew up, drought, hunger and slavery as well. Musically: "Baião", one of the many genres of brazilian northeastern music, has similarities with rhythm, chord progression and scales.” (Artur Menezes / Photo by Lucas Parisi)

You are kicking off your touring cycle at the Best of Blues and Rock Festival in Brazil, sharing the bill with legends like Eddie Vedder and Roger Daltrey. How does it feel to return to your home country for such a massive event?

Anytime I go perform in Brazil it's a blast. First of all, it's an opportunity to see my family and friends. Secondly, to be back to my heritage and enjoy my own culture.

Following Brazil, you have a month-long headline tour in Europe. What can the European audience expect from your live shows, and how does the energy of the fans there compare to the US or Brazil?

I'll be playing songs from the new album "Microwave Dreams" and from previous albums and EPs, such as "AM/FM", "Fading Away" and "Keep Pushing". I'll be also playing my own take in songs from Jimi Hendrix, Black Keys and Albert King.

Looking ahead, with Microwaved Dreams pushing the boundaries of traditional blues, where would you like to see your music evolve in the coming years?

Blues will be always the foundation of what I do musically and of course I want to still keep playing the blues scene, but my esound is evolving to fit other scenes such as rock, jam band, psychedelic, indie, insdustrial you name it haha! So I would love to be playing more clubs and festival of these genres as well.

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(Artur Menezes / Photo by Lucas Parisi)