Scene Report: Brazil, January 2009 w/ Ricardo Koctus
By: Eduardo Curi
In the late 80's, Brazil was living one of its most significative historical moments, electing our first president after a dictatorship that lasted for nearly 25 years. During that decade, the on growing freedom gave birth to a whole musical scene like we had never seen before. Bands popped out all over the country playing simple pop songs, mostly influenced by the New Wave post punk sound from abroad.
Also, heavy metal, notably death and thrash, flourished on several cities, having Belo Horizonte as one of its main leg in the scene. World famous thrash metal band Sepultura were originally released by a local label - called Cogumelo, famous for releasing the most of heavy metal bands in town - before building their international career.
Traditionally, BH was, by that time, headbanger´s territory, having hords of long haired, black-clad musicians all over the place. But one band came to challenge this scenario with an uncommon line up that had no drummer, playing music that wasn´t heavy metal or new wave post punk either. They were Pato Fu and were released by the same Cogumelo label that, once in the past, only put out heavy metal bands. The band were, during the 90's, on the forefront of cutting edge new Brazilian music, with a totally new approach on the matter, experimenting and going on unknown musical territory with confidence on what they had been doing.
Ricardo Koctus, Pato Fu´s bassist, is now, once again, going on uncertain territory, but, this time, he´s gone solo. Playing music that does not sound like his 'official' band, writing and singing his own songs, Koctus is having a taste of the challenge once again, but now with the experience of 16 years playing with Pato Fu.
He´s just about to get around to releasing his first solo album, and spoke to Rockfeedback about this new enterprise.
Rockfeedback: So, why are you going solo, now?
Ricardo Koctus: "Well, after 16 years playing in the same band, it does make some sense, yeah? I was in need of a new direction, perhaps. But there's nothing worng with Pato Fu. We're on the road, but the time is right for new challenges.
RFB: What are the advatages and disadvatages of starting off a new work being a member of a band already established on the national scene? Wich doors are already open and wich ones must be opened again?
RK: "It's a fact, it does help being a member of Pato Fu, but it is always a new start. Especially in my case, doing something completely different from what I've done with them, writing and singing. There are always comparisons, but it doesn't bother me at all. I believe I've got a lot more open doors than closed ones, but that has to do with several factors, not only because I'm from Pato Fu. It's got to do with the relationships kept all these years on the Road, 23 in my case, 16 with Pato Fu. The experience acquired is a lot stronger than the name, but the personal experience attached to the name Pato Fu builds up a very solid base. Nevertheless, it does not mean it will be easy, just less hard. It doesn´t mean Pato Fu´s fans will appreciate it, it does not mean I'm selling out on my records... actually, I see just a few fans from Pato Fu turning out at my gigs. Nor will the press, radio, or TV be any easier. I must convince them that what I'm doing is cool. And that is a hard job. But before all that, comes the truth and the pleasure and that, I can assure you, I have on this work. The rest is the consequence of very hard work.
RFB: How are you releasing the album? Have you got a date yet?
RK: "No, I haven´t. We are mastering the record. For sure, I will release it in BH and other major cities. I also want to do independent festivals, the college circuit, etc. . Those events are where, I believe, there are people intereasted in new things, in seeing and listening to something that is not attached to any trend or to the radio that, of course, is the biggest media for music. But I'm releasing it through an indie label called Ultra Music from Belo Horizonte. And as independent we know the limitations, thus we must know how to work it out.
RFB: How do you evaluate the actual musical scene in Belo Horizonte? What makes us so the city can get its place on the national market?
RK: "I reckon after the Internet, everything has got easier. Not only the scene from here, but in general. We've got a lot of cool bands that are trying to get their place in the market. But it still lacks a professional spirit. During the 90's the bands that outstanded had this embedded in them.... professionalism. Today, with all the facilities we have to record and put it up on the Internet, I still see lots of bands doing all wrong, bands that are looking for a easy way in and end up sounding like millions of other bands that are around there, give up showing something new to the public and ending up being just another one. In my opinion what is lacking to consolidate a scene in any segment is partnership. But the first partnership that must happen is between the people intereasted on the matter, in this case, the bands. You must share it a little to get to something clearer and more solid and, of course, each one taking care of its own, but respecting other's space and, most importantly, caring for each other. Producers willing to have their festivals and stay equally interested in promoting and consolidating the work of the artists, whether they're new to the business or not. And artists that don't want just to go there, cash their fee, show off their work and not care whether someone has lost money or not... It sounds pedantic, but I believe it's a good path to follow. Partnership!
RFB: When Pato Fu showed up, the BROCK was going downhill and the only bands with national relevance that had come from BH were heavy metal bands. Pato Fu had been released by a label that released only heavy metal. How was it possible to break through like that? What have you learned from that period that you're bringing with you on your solo carreer to make the difference again?
RK: "That was weird... But we were more crazy and weirdo than today and that made things a little easier. Our album was on sale on stores that sold heavy metal only. Of course, most part of the segment did not like us, but we never bothered about it. We did what we had to do, the way we wanted and that´s it. Anyway, we had a lot of credit within the label. And that´s the one thing I learned from that period: do what I want and step on my convictions, but, of course, always remain looking out all around me, because things must go their way. If I have my eyes closed, I will not take advantage and enjoy what I want, or pay attention to what's around me.
RFB: BH in the mid 90's had a promising future in the pop music market, but the scene didn´t get renewed after that. What do we need to keep a sustaintable scene?
RK: "Dude, I think everyone went their own way... I don't see such a desolated scenario. Actually, lots of festivals and other events we've got today were born during that period. Here, as in the whole country, what went deep into the bottom were the major labels. The selling music business. Bands that were starting during the middle of all that didn't have the time to keep themselves alive. And, since then, the business has changed and everyone had to adapt to it. Some bands, like Pato Fu, consolidated their concept, not a selling-millions-of-copies career, which was more complicated by that time than today. People expected a new album that would bring big sales and if that didn't happened the "market" would get upset. And in periods of crisis, where sales aren't that expressive anymore, having a solid concept like ours faces a lot more value than sales. Today we are sure we're not selling millions and that is alright with us the moment. We never sold millions, anyway. We have no surprises or frustrations concerning to that matter. We've always taken care from very close to our career and things now are harder on everyone, but we carry on doing what we have always been doing. We're just not with a major label anymore. Of course, we had more exposure in the media and that helped with playing more gigs, but adaptation brings in fresh air. I've seen some artists getting a record deal, living a fairy tale and kinda of losing their focus. That is being knocked out, for sure. I think we lacked a little reality and focus, forseeing the moment that was coming ahead. But I don´t see this as a defeat, actually I think this is a renewing process.
You can have a listen to Ricardo Koctus and his music here: www.myspace.com/ricardokoctus
Eduardo Curi