When the rich percussive rhythms of Bahia, Brazil meet the world’s pulsating beat, the result is a symphony that transcends boundaries. Eric Fraga, a gifted DJ, and producer, brings this very symphony to life in his latest release, “Berimbau EP.” Collaborating with Cafe De Anatolia, the EP is a love letter to his roots and a testament to his global sensibilities. Released on July 18, 2023, under Cafe De Anatolia LAB, the EP is a compelling blend of Afro-House energy and an international musical outlook, making waves across the music landscape.
Born and raised in Bahia, Eric’s connection to his homeland resonates throughout his music. The tranquility of coastal life, the simplicity of small towns, and the visceral thrill of drums and percussion have shaped his musical identity. From waking up early to surf to being inspired by the Afro-Brazilian musical heritage, Eric’s upbringing is a rich tapestry that feeds into his creative process. His move abroad at a young age only enriched this cultural milieu, allowing him to meld his Brazilian essence with international influences.
The collaboration with Cafe De Anatolia on “Berimbau EP” marks a significant milestone in Eric’s career. The two-track EP serves as a musical narrative that explores his connection to Bahia and his adventures beyond its borders. “Berimbau” and “Toribalé” are more than just songs; they’re musical expressions of identity, tradition, and global interconnectedness. The release showcases Eric’s creative prowess, his appreciation for self-learning, and a maturity that is steering his steps confidently in the music industry. Join us as we dive deeper into Eric’s journey, his passion for music, and the world that has shaped his sound.
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Can you share some more about your experiences growing up in Bahia, Brazil?
Bahia is the place where I was born and raised, comfort zone, peace and tranquility. I lived in a place that the people go for vacations, a place where most of the beings I love most on this planet are located.
Many times I woke up earlier to surf before school, it was a privilege. Being connected with Nature, appreciating the Sun and especially the simplicity of small towns certainly defined some totems in my being.
What role did your upbringing in Bahia play in shaping your musical identity?
I believe that every reference and experience that we have at the beginning of our lives, stays fore ever, ends up reflecting in all aspects during our life, trajectory. My childhood was surrounded by the influences I had there. Percussive instruments touches me in a different way, drums. Brazilian Afro was very present in my life, it has the full influence of the African descendants who arrived in Brazil, and the first place where they remained so was Bahia. most Brazilians are mixed, that’s how I feel my being and even my music.
Throughout my life, I was always away from my city and country, I left home when I was 16 and lived outside Brazil for 11 years, so almost half of my life was spent abroad… I feel the track Berimbau is a good expression of that, because it starts with natural touches from there, the berimbau itself, and the ijexá that has its own rhythmic pattern, but in the last break and drop there is a mix, the music transforms and brings us an international climate, and it is this factor that I like most in music.
How has the international release of your EP with Cafe De Anatolia influenced your career?
It was very important, our trajectory is made up of check lists, and being with them was one of those, it’s my first partnership with an international rekord label, and having released this EP especially, which is so Brazilian, was another victory. From Brasil to the world
What similarities do you find between your music style and that of Cafe De Anatolia?
I identify a lot with the releases, the songs are very ethnic and organic, I’ve been following that plan, including most of my songs are produced from organic samples, recorded in the studio. Afro fascinates me, and I feel proud to have released it on the same label that my references like NU also released. It sure was a big step.
What is the importance of self-learning and exploration in the music industry according to you?
Being in the music industry is totally different from anything I thought before lol… I thought my only concern would be to produce my songs and focusing on that process would start to make everything appear… Nowadays, inside I see that it is a learning experience endless, where to see yourself as a company and attend to all the points that are much more comprehensive than the studio, every day my vision of the industry is more mature and more confident in my step by step.
Via CDAmag.io
Will Vance is a professional music producer who has been involved in the industry for the better part of a decade and has been the managing editor at Magnetic Magazine since mid-2022. In that time period, he has published thousands of articles on music production, industry think pieces and educational articles about the music industry. Over the last decade as a professional music producer, Will Vance has also ran multiple successful and highly respected record labels in the industry, including Where The Heart Is Records as well as having launched a new label with a focus on community through Magnetic Magazine. When not running these labels or producing his own music, Vance is likely writing for other top industry sites like Waves or the Hyperbits Masterclass or working on his upcoming book on mindfulness in music production. On the rare chance he's not thinking about music production, he's probably running a game of Dungeons and Dragons with his friends which he has been the dungeon master for for many years.
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