ONE TO WATCH: ZOPELAR
With a passion for the musical creation process, it's from his studio that Zopelar orchestrates a successful career. As a globally recognized music producer, the artist's solo discography boasts numerous albums and EPs released on labels such as Apron Records and Tartelet.
Can you tell us a bit about your background and how you got into music? Sure! I decided at a young age that I wanted music to be my profession. Around the age of 15, I began studying classical piano and music theory, aiming to become a maestro. After college, I moved to Rio de Janeiro to study at a conservatory of music. Around that time, I discovered club music, and I immediately started creating my own tracks and DJing. More than 15 years later, I’m still at it—and loving it! What’s the most memorable reaction you’ve received from the audience during a set? I have so many great memories, but a recent standout was playing at "Doka" with my mate Retromigration. We debuted a live set together during ADE, and honestly, I wasn’t sure what to expect. Our session had a lot of different nuances compared to a DJ set, with plenty of improvisation. But the reaction and connection with the crowd that night were truly something special—it was definitely a highlight for me! Are there any other genres or artists outside of the music you play that you’re particularly into right now? I listen to a lot of old Brazilian music and jazz in general! One specific album I listened to a lot last year is Radio Mistério by Pedro Martins. It’s a recent album, but it carries the classic vibe of the golden era of Brazilian composers like Milton Nascimento and Lô Borges. Pedro also collaborates with top-tier musicians like Thundercat, Omar Rakim, and JD Beck. This record takes me back to my roots in Minas Gerais, the state in Brazil where I was born and raised! What do you think are the biggest challenges for new DJs breaking into the industry today? Probably dealing with market saturation and finding a way to stand out by being original, rather than just another similar product on the shelf. I miss more of the feeling of art and less of the feeling of industry in this game. Bucket list gig? Anywhere in Japan! I need to return to this amazing country! Give us a track that shaped you and why? I remember not being the same after hearing "Hanna" for the first time. So, I would say "Hanna - Punk," released on Apron Records in 2017, was a track that helped me reconnect with my roots and opened my mind to the incredible instrumental soulful musicality in dance music. Where do you see yourself in the next five years, both musically and professionally? I love challenges and stepping out of my comfort zone, which makes the future a bit unpredictable! I’ve started composing movie scores, something I really enjoy and want to do more often. After spending a long time focused on DJ sets, I now feel ready to explore different possibilities for creating live music, whether with a group or solo. Producing more records for other artists and starting my own label are also on my list. I want to do a lot of things, to be honest—let’s see where life takes me. Zopelar on Bandcamp