What made you decide to start releasing music?
I always wrote songs. When I learned to play the guitar, I remember, I wrote my first song after a week or so. I just felt my music needed to become more professional in a technical way, and ever since I believe I reached that professionalism point, I wanted to release my songs to the world.
Which happened when I released my first single with my friend Felipe singing the lyrics in 2019.
Introduce you and your musical history?
My name is Daniel Monteiro, I am the main member of Under Neptune which is my songwriting project. I’m from Brazil, and I play guitar, Keyboard and bass since I was 14 years old.
In 2017 I moved to Vancouver Canada and I am currently living in Estevan, Saskatchewan.
But I can’t play drums, at all, or sing very well. So I always invite friends or other musicians to be a part of my recording process.
In case of the next releases, I invite Alexis Dimitriou to sing the lyrics and Jordan McQueen to play the drums. They did an amazing job on the song.
What’s one question you’re sick of being asked when interviewed?
This is my first interview ever, and I’m just excited to be here.
Do you sign up to any conspiracy theories?
I don’t believe in many conspiracy theories but I can’t seem to get my head around the Area 51 conspiracy and all that comes with it.
What useless party trick do you have?
I used to get a few beers before the party. It seems to be useless nowadays.
What was the worst experience on stage?
Probably my first live performance ever. It was a disaster.
If you had to describe your music to an alien how would you describe it?
That you probably heard something like it before in the ’90s.
What makes you stand out as an Artist?
I try to put as much effort on the recording and producing parts of the process and try to enhance all the qualities of the song. I try my best not to lose the essence of the song during the production process.
Right now, what’s pissing you off the most? (Can’t say the virus )
Well, I think this divide on politics that we are facing most because of social media is what’s pissing me off at the moment. I don’t want to raise a political discussion here but it’s a fact we would have thought differently about it 10 years ago.
With social media and the social bubbles, it just got worse, and I don’t see that this will get better anytime soon.
Whats would be your favourite song to play live and why?
To be honest, I think this next single we are going to release now would sound amazing live. With all the guitars going on and the drums, it would be a fantastic experience to play this song live.
I hear you have a new single, what can you tell us about it?
Yes, I do have a new single coming out on January 07. The song’s name is “Disappear” and it’s about a person’s journey to reach their dream. But how we are always waiting for that last miracle to help us reach the dream. So you always wanted to wait for the last wish so all you want can become true.
Talk me through the thought process of the single?
Well, I usually write the song on acoustic guitar and voice, and then I start the production process.
During this process, I start with a demo, in which I program the drums and record the Electric guitars, bass and all the keys.
Since I like to have live drums on the final recordings I send this version to Jordan so he can record his part on top.
The last part I send to the singer which in this case is Alexis so he can record his part.
Last I do mixing and master and that’s it we have a song ready to release.
What was the recording process like?
The recording process it’s usually fast. Every time I send the song to other musicians they return back to me really fast.
What was the biggest learning curve in writing the single?
I would say the more guitar the better in a rock song!!
Would you change anything now that it’s finished?
I think it sounds perfect to me. I wouldn’t change anything.
What are your plans for the year ahead?
Just to continue the production process and release as many songs as possible.
Is there anything else you would like to share with the world?
Just try to be kind to one another, and if they think differently from you that’s a good thing.