Gabriel Andres on Playing Drums Outside Brazil

Gabriel Andres is a drummer and percussionist from São Paulo. When we spoke, he was traveling the world with Théo Mizú & Banda and other international projects, and had already played in England, Norway, Thailand and Japan. He is also the drummer in Canary’s band.

We recorded this short conversation in Pai, in Northern Thailand, during a session with the band Modus Operandi. If you play drums and think about taking your career outside Brazil, it is for you. The interview is in Portuguese, and the answers below are our translation.

How did you end up in Thailand?

Té invited me. We met in São Paulo and he mentioned the tour. It took me a while to decide for real, but I did, and I ended up here in Pai. We did a tour in England, then England ended, I came to Thailand and that’s it. That’s how I got here, without many plans.

How do you keep up with so many projects?

There are a lot of rehearsals. These days I use a calendar, I didn’t before. So you put in the days, the gigs, the rehearsals, what you’re going to do and what you’re not. Things change very easily, but it has to be in the calendar. That’s how I manage all of this and still sleep, eat well, train and take care of myself. Otherwise you can’t keep up.

Is Brazilian music valued abroad?

A lot. Sometimes, in Brazil, we don’t realize how much. We put our attention on other things. There are many people abroad who want to see Brazilian music, who want to receive this culture and see what it is. So there is a lot of opportunity. Of course, you’ll have to work really hard, you’ll have tough moments, you’ll get frustrated, you’ll have to figure things out. I won’t say it’s guaranteed anywhere, but effort makes a difference. Contacts matter. Brazil is very good, but outside is also very good.

How does booking a tour work?

For a standard tour, we do the booking beforehand. You search, you send messages, it takes a good while. It isn’t simple. If something extra comes up during the tour, that’s fine, we see whether it’s worth it or not.

What do you need in order to go further?

Material, which is super important. When you’re just starting, a simple phone video does the job. But if you want to expand, enter the market or go out into the world, you need really good material. I always say there are lots of bands doing the same thing you do, lots of people playing drums, guitar, bass, singing, creating new music. What sets you apart is not only the music, it’s how you sell it, how you deliver it to the audience. And then a bit of luck, a bit of faith.

A well-made work and good material are essential. You won’t play a fancier place that pays more with so-so material. It has to match the level of the place where you want to play.

If you get the chance to leave Brazil, don’t overthink it.

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Filmed in Pai, Northern Thailand, during a session with the band Modus Operandi. The original interview is in Portuguese.