Lari Basilio: There are no shortcuts

Lari, where does your love for the guitar come from? I've read that, like many other musicians, your father introduced you to the instrument. What was the impulse that made you stay with the guitar? And how did you feel when you got your first instrument?

First of all, the guitar is a really interesting instrument—just in the way it looks. I've always wanted to play it, simply because it's just beautiful. And when I started, it brought me so many unique emotions that I had never felt before... I just couldn't stop playing. Sometimes, I couldn't wait for the next morning to wake up and pick it up again. It's something amazing.

Your compositions combine many layers, emotions, techniques and styles. Where do you get your inspiration or initial idea from? Does it start with a riff, a melody or a feeling...?

Every song is different. Sometimes, it starts with a melody that I have in my mind and only later do I add guitar to it. Other times, I get an idea for a riff during my studio sessions and I like recording everything because when I start composing, I can use it as a source of inspiration. Sometimes I also get inspired by a new piece of equipment—a guitar, amp, effect... So I don't really have a set routine or any rules. I think it's quite important for us writers or composers to have freedom. If you don't have that, it's very hard to express yourself.

Being left-handed, I must ask the following question. I noticed a while ago at the Ibanez booth that you sign with your left hand, but you play the guitar as a right-handed player. Did it feel natural to pick up the guitar as a right-handed person or would it be different if you played left-handed guitar?

That's interesting, I only write with my left hand, but I do everything else with my right hand. When I kick the ball, I kick with my right foot. And when my dad first lent me a guitar, he gave it to me in a right-handed position and I just learned that way.

Let's talk about practising. I must admit, as a riff player, I'm not really into practising scales...

Riffs are great! I love them!

For me, that's the foundation of everything. I wanted to be a solo guitarist at one point, but I didn't have the patience to practise consistently, and then I got into riffs. But you can't do without practice as a solo player. Do you have a standardised approach or plan that you follow?

Nowadays, I don't have much of a schedule, I try to make the best out of the free time that I have every day. Of course, there are different seasons—periods when I'm only composing or seasons when I am touring. But when I start, I practise what most guitar players do: scales, bending, different techniques... And it's really important to spend time doing that and to keep your fingers moving as often as possible, every day.

Many players get "stuck" practising what they already know and are comfortable with. How do you go beyond your comfort zone and work on what you find more challenging?

There are no shortcuts. You just have to sit down and spend hours with the instrument. There's no other way to keep improving and to learn what you're not good at.

What made you leave the mainstream approach of writing songs and do instrumental music?

I grew up listening to my guitar heroes playing instrumentals and I fell in love with that kind of music. Soon, I started writing similar music myself—and publishing my own instrumentals was a big dream come true. And to this day, it's what I enjoy the most.

Do you have some kind of method that helps you decide what is good when you write? For example, I use the shower test—when I think of a new piece of music and I still remember the riff or melody the next day in the shower, I know it's good and I can keep going. Do you have anything similar?

I use my husband. (laugh) If I have something new and he sings it or taps out the rhythm, that's my test because my husband is usually the first one to hear my ideas.

I know there are many female bands and great players in Brazil. Apart from you, as a representative of the instrumental section, let's mention the thrash/death metal band Nervosa. Why do you think so many girls in Brazil are drawn to playing music, especially heavy music?

Music is in our blood and we play many different styles. At the same time, we are exposed to music from a young age. It's the culture, without a doubt.

You're known for your collaboration with Joe Satriani, you are an Ibanez endorsing artist and you have your own signature model. What advice would you give to aspiring female guitarists who would also like to cooperate with such a company one day?

The advice is simple: make sure you enjoy it. And the most important thing, of course, is to play your instrument. With love. It's also important to have a plan and know what you want to achieve and what your ambitions are. You have to organise yourself, you have to invest in it, not only money but especially time and work—again, there are no shortcuts here. Then things are going to happen, I'm sure. It's just a lot of work, dedication and passion.

Have you ever had a moment where you considered giving up, you didn't feel like playing or you thought maybe you should have stuck with the law career? (Lari is a qualified lawyer, author's note).

Definitely. Life is crazy, you never know what's going to happen. There were times when I thought I wouldn't make it as a musician, but I never gave up and just kept trying until things worked out. But again—it's a lot of work and a lot of faith. I'm a very religious person and I know that God has blessed me. I'm grateful for that.

Finally, I have a few questions about what you are up to. You released your new album in August this year. What are you planning next?

That's right, I released the new album Your Love in August and I'm really happy with how it turned out and how it sounds. I'm in the middle of a European guitar clinic tour at the moment, I'm going to do some shows at home in Brazil towards the end of the year and I am going back to Europe next year to continue gigging with a band. So that's it. Mainly gigs and hopefully more new music soon.