Gerardo Cea Interview
Q: Can you talk about your musical history?
A: When I was nine years old, my parents gave me a collection of Elvis Presley music, and I couldn’t stop shaking my head and body and going crazy with it. After that, I discovered many other bands thanks to my brother and sister: Like Led Zeppelin, The Police and Pink Floyd. When I turned 13 years old, I sold my bicycle and I bought myself an electric guitar. It was a great experience but even doing that... life took me to another path instead of learning music. I had no other choice than to start working to help my family, and without even realizing it, the dream of playing guitar was gone.
Q: What made you want to step into a recording studio when you turned fifty?
A: In 2005 Lenny Kravitz invited me to see thirty days of rehearsal here in Miami before they went out to a world tour. Every day after watching him playing the guitar, I went home and started playing. Ten years later, I turned fifty, and I found myself with a collection of 35 guitars. So I looked myself in the mirror, realizing that was the time to do something about my dream, something new. I called my friend Rudy Perez, and we had a big conversation about music. After that, I met his son Chris Price, and we got connected to make the album together. So that little dream I had as a child, eventually came true - to make music that remains in this world forever, music coming right from the heart.
Q: What are some of the themes on your release Something New?
A: My passion is to create simple songs with a simple message, but with the potential to reach thousands of people and change the way they see things. I do this because I truly believe that simple things in life are the greatest.
Q: Can you talk about your musical history?
A: When I was nine years old, my parents gave me a collection of Elvis Presley music, and I couldn’t stop shaking my head and body and going crazy with it. After that, I discovered many other bands thanks to my brother and sister: Like Led Zeppelin, The Police and Pink Floyd. When I turned 13 years old, I sold my bicycle and I bought myself an electric guitar. It was a great experience but even doing that... life took me to another path instead of learning music. I had no other choice than to start working to help my family, and without even realizing it, the dream of playing guitar was gone.
Q: What made you want to step into a recording studio when you turned fifty?
A: In 2005 Lenny Kravitz invited me to see thirty days of rehearsal here in Miami before they went out to a world tour. Every day after watching him playing the guitar, I went home and started playing. Ten years later, I turned fifty, and I found myself with a collection of 35 guitars. So I looked myself in the mirror, realizing that was the time to do something about my dream, something new. I called my friend Rudy Perez, and we had a big conversation about music. After that, I met his son Chris Price, and we got connected to make the album together. So that little dream I had as a child, eventually came true - to make music that remains in this world forever, music coming right from the heart.
Q: What are some of the themes on your release Something New?
A: My passion is to create simple songs with a simple message, but with the potential to reach thousands of people and change the way they see things. I do this because I truly believe that simple things in life are the greatest.
Q: Can you talk about your creative process?
A: My creative process is amazing. Music comes to my mind 24/7. Sometimes it happens when I don’t have anything to write or to record, and I feel bad when it flies away, and I cannot go back there. Those moments are pure gold, and you have to seize them. That’s why I try to always have a guitar on me and a phone to record. Usually, it happens when I see my guitar, and then I start thinking, almost day-dreaming, about the topic that I want to write. Sometimes I take my whole day to work on that, then I let it sit alone for a week or two, but in the meanwhile, I continue working in other songs. My ideas tend to come as music, but on occasion they are stories or lyrics too. Once I have two songs, I jump into the studio with all the musicians, and I finish my creative experience with them.
Q: What was it like working with producer Rudy Perez?
A: Working with producer Chris Price and his father Rudy Perez at the beach house studios is the greatest experience ever. First of all, they have the studio inside the house so you share the music with the whole family, and you feel super comfortable with it. There is always time for a good lunch among friends, and to enjoy the moment with a great dinner after a long day working in the studio. It is magical how they have so much experience, but they always treat you with humility and kindness. I feel very lucky to work with Chris. We have a connection, and we understand each other so well that everything becomes easy and natural. Recording with them, I was able to meet Sam Moore, Christina Aguilera, Michael Bolton, Jose Feliciano and many other musicians. The Perez family will always treat you fantastically. It doesn't matter if you are famous or not. They are amazing.
Q: Have you played live?
A: I played live with my friends. We start with a small band playing covers songs. I also play guitar with legendary musicians. First, I play guitar songs with super star Diego Torres for 4000 people in NYC and Miami. It was a great experience. I also played a few songs with Lenny Kravitz in the back office of my restaurant Cafe Prima Pasta. Lenny played the drums and I played the guitar while some other friends were using different instruments. Another band which I played with was Nickel Back. They come over to the restaurant for dinner and we end it playing covers songs of Credence - so much fun. So my life with music is always full of surprises. I know that I'm not the best and I dream small so I can have big results.
After this album comes out, I plan to do some shows here in Miami for about 200 people just for fun, enjoying the moment with my friends and family. We will see what happens.
Q: What else should we know about your music?
A: I’m the kind of versatile person that loves any kind of music. I can make pop, rock, even rap. My desire is to continue discovering more new things and keep experimenting with my style. I don’t want to stop recording ever. I will continue making music because music helps the soul to remain alive. No matter what happens, music will always be there.
A: My creative process is amazing. Music comes to my mind 24/7. Sometimes it happens when I don’t have anything to write or to record, and I feel bad when it flies away, and I cannot go back there. Those moments are pure gold, and you have to seize them. That’s why I try to always have a guitar on me and a phone to record. Usually, it happens when I see my guitar, and then I start thinking, almost day-dreaming, about the topic that I want to write. Sometimes I take my whole day to work on that, then I let it sit alone for a week or two, but in the meanwhile, I continue working in other songs. My ideas tend to come as music, but on occasion they are stories or lyrics too. Once I have two songs, I jump into the studio with all the musicians, and I finish my creative experience with them.
Q: What was it like working with producer Rudy Perez?
A: Working with producer Chris Price and his father Rudy Perez at the beach house studios is the greatest experience ever. First of all, they have the studio inside the house so you share the music with the whole family, and you feel super comfortable with it. There is always time for a good lunch among friends, and to enjoy the moment with a great dinner after a long day working in the studio. It is magical how they have so much experience, but they always treat you with humility and kindness. I feel very lucky to work with Chris. We have a connection, and we understand each other so well that everything becomes easy and natural. Recording with them, I was able to meet Sam Moore, Christina Aguilera, Michael Bolton, Jose Feliciano and many other musicians. The Perez family will always treat you fantastically. It doesn't matter if you are famous or not. They are amazing.
Q: Have you played live?
A: I played live with my friends. We start with a small band playing covers songs. I also play guitar with legendary musicians. First, I play guitar songs with super star Diego Torres for 4000 people in NYC and Miami. It was a great experience. I also played a few songs with Lenny Kravitz in the back office of my restaurant Cafe Prima Pasta. Lenny played the drums and I played the guitar while some other friends were using different instruments. Another band which I played with was Nickel Back. They come over to the restaurant for dinner and we end it playing covers songs of Credence - so much fun. So my life with music is always full of surprises. I know that I'm not the best and I dream small so I can have big results.
After this album comes out, I plan to do some shows here in Miami for about 200 people just for fun, enjoying the moment with my friends and family. We will see what happens.
Q: What else should we know about your music?
A: I’m the kind of versatile person that loves any kind of music. I can make pop, rock, even rap. My desire is to continue discovering more new things and keep experimenting with my style. I don’t want to stop recording ever. I will continue making music because music helps the soul to remain alive. No matter what happens, music will always be there.