A new album release from Carlos Candido brings on a full swing Americana feel with genuine, from the heart storytelling and it holds little back in terms of just letting it all out and being honest and up front.
The songs on the Two-Way Street album are packed with an outstanding array of undertones and styles that border a rock and country approach, but it all comes through with a great character and in the form of singles that really take you with them wherever they go.
These tracks are super relatable, and most can get memories of your own to pop into your head at random. And that's not just because of how relatable they are. It's because you start to feel like the songs were written with you in mind.
You get the feel that Carlos is a friend and he's talking to you about all these life experiences and emotionally driven stories.
The songs are like chapters in his life and are riddled with gorgeous lap steel, guitars, and vocals that are all performed with a soulful approach.
The music is full bodied and just lush and detailed to the point that you can picture these things vividly at times.
This was a gracefully performed record and that's something that you don't get a lot these days.
With such a beautifully woven record, we wanted to touch base with Carlos Candido to see where this album actually came from.
Here's what happened.
Buzz Slayers: Let's kick things off with the Two Way Street album. This record has such a genuine Americana feel to it. Where did this album come from?
I never intended for this album to have one particular style over another. I write all my songs on one of my acoustic guitars and when the time comes to demo the songs and lock in a structure, it takes on a soul. When I got into the studio and we started recording, the songs blossomed in an organic way. It was really awesome when I look back at it. I brought 12 songs to my co-producer Derek, and once we got to the studio we quickly whittled it down to 9. Through the process we started to feel a theme emerging and I had always intended to put it on vinyl, but it quickly became the main concept. We dropped the 9th song, and put 4 songs per side. From start to finish, one song leads to another under the same blanket despite the variety of styles, from the Americana vibes of Love On 89 and Holdin’ On, to the indie alternative feel of Over, and the rock blues of Two Way Street. The acoustic guitar is the backbone of all of it. I’m extremely proud of what we accomplished. It’s beautiful and honest to who I am and what I feel. The vinyl will be out in the Spring of 2023.
Buzz Slayers: When did this all start for you?
I’ve been singing for as long as I can remember. I taught myself to play the guitar in high school, to make myself more versatile as a musician. I started writing songs soon after. The first song I wrote that I felt was any good is actually on this album. I wrote ‘You Are’ when I was 18. It took on many shapes over the years, over many demos, but I’m really happy with what we hear on this album.
Buzz Slayers: This record has some great styles! Can you give us some of your top musical influences?
Thank you. I love so many artists from a wide range of genres. The clean vocals of Freddy Mercury and soul of Marvin Gaye and Motown artists, to Dallas Green of City and Colour and Chris Cornell, are at the forefront of my vocal influences. But I also love the timidity of John Mayer, even though I find it difficult to replicate. It’s something that I’m trying to work on improving. Zeppelin, Pearl Jam and A Perfect Circle are still huge influences on me. I feel terrible leaving so many other artists off this list.
Buzz Slayers: What are you doing when you're NOT working on music?
I have a family and a regular full time 9 to 5, which is boring to talk about, but I have the opportunity to listen to music and podcasts all day which is great for my sanity. It allows me to think about music, and write lyrics every day. Other than that, I enjoy chilling out with my kids, watching movies, hiking in nature, swimming and playing basketball.
Buzz Slayers: Who's in your headphones right now?
City and Colour is always in my headphones. I enjoy listening to full albums and gravitate to that flow. I’m not that person who listens to the radio and changes stations constantly. I may be late to the party, but I just started listening and making my own playlists since being featured on Spotify with the release of ‘Breaking All The Rules’. My top 3 albums right now are City and Colour’s A Pill For Loneliness (2019), Paradise Valley (2013) by John Mayer and the classic, Led Zeppelin III (1970).
Buzz Slayers: Are you doing any live performances right now?
Yes. I’ve been back hitting stages between Montréal and Ottawa for a few months. I crafted a City and Colour solo acoustic tribute which has been extremely well received. It’s really a lot of fun to perform, but I want to transition to a mostly original setlist soon. I’d love to open for some established artists. You can check CarlosCandido.com for the schedule of upcoming shows to which I should be adding dates and updating soon.
Buzz Slayers: This record feels like a big undertaking, is there any advice you'd give to other up and coming artists out there?
It definitely was a big undertaking of time, money and emotional bandwidth. You should expect that it will take longer, cost more and depress you during the process. Allow yourself to feel like it’s not going anywhere in the moment, because when it’s done, that sense of accomplishment will supersede any of those momentary insecurities. Finally I’d say, be you. Be honest. Do what you want to do, and not what’s popular. When mumble rap goes away, and disco comes and goes again, your story will always be relevant. The audience might shrink, but those who stay will be fans for life, because of you.
Buzz Slayers: What can your fans expect from you in the near future?
I already have 15 songs ready to go for my next album. These songs are a little more uptempo, more indie alternative and contemporary than the last one. I’ll slowly start recording in the new year, but this time without the time restrictions that come with making a record for vinyl. I’m not saying it won’t go on vinyl eventually, but it won’t be specifically made for it the way Two Way Street was. I ask my fans to follow me on the streamer of their choice and subscribe to my new YouTube channel. I’ve been producing a web-series called Behind The Song and we’re working on making 2 music videos to support the album for the fall and winter.
Buzz Slayers: Before we go, what would you like to say to fans of the music?
Thank you for the kind words of encouragement and support since the release of the album. It really makes me feel like I’m being heard. I really appreciate it. Please continue to stream and share with your friends, and be an advocate for the music you love.
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