sandralourenco, Author at Sandra Lourenco

5 Years!

July 12, 2022 by sandralourenco

5 years ago was my last day as a Mechanical Engineer. And you may think I was happy to finally take the step and pursue my dream of becoming an artist full-time, but the truth is, I was scared to death.

For all my adult life, I could only rely on myself financially. I grew up on an environment where money was constantly an issue.

All this made me a very money cautious person. I started working very early in my life (17 years old), and moved out at 20 years old. Saved enough money to enter the university, and of course I chose one of the most reliable degrees in terms of career, Mechanical Engineer.

Fact is, I was traumatized. I could never consider music as a career because of that trauma. I was living a life that was never for me, that didn’t agree with me, I was killing my dreams slowly, every day. And then came depression.

Only a lot later in my life I realised all this I’m telling you here.

Becoming a musician full time was a dream come true and one of my proudest achievements. It brought me the joy I had lost, and allowed me to become stronger and more confident. It allowed me to turn my life around, and to improve all the other areas in my life. Was it easy? Hell no. Still isn’t. It’s a life full of challenges, uncertainty, highs and lows. Was it worth it? It still is, every single second of every day.

I hope my story inspires you to challenge yourself, because it’s never too late to follow your dreams.

Sandra

Review – Money For Nothing by Dire Straits

August 18, 2021 by sandralourenco

Album Reviews

Dire Straits are, in my opinion, an acquired taste. I didn’t pay much attention to them until 4/5 years ago, and once I started noticing Mark Knopfler’s guitar riffs, characteristic voice and unique composition style, I never looked back.

I was fortunate enough to see Dire Straits Experience live a few years ago, with Terrence Reis taking the place of Mark in the vocals and guitars, and brilliantly doing so if I may add. He remains extremely faithful to the original sound, without losing his identity in the process. But we’re here to discuss the album, not the live experience. 🙂

It’s a flowy album, with the songs displayed in a way that makes sense and sounds even better. I love the quality and saturation of the sound, of course the vinyl does contribute to that; but this baby could have been released today and it will still hold up to the music industry standards; although I’m almost certain that the vocals would have to be a lot louder today for standards sake. It does have a “live” feeling to me, although it’s a studio album; so much that the live version of Portobello Belle sounds just like the studio recordings apart from the audience claps and noise. I absolutely love that.

Highlights: great classics such as Sultains Of Swing will make you feel like the coolest person in the world while listening to it; Walk Of Life will definitely get stuck on your head – and there’s nothing wrong with that since it’s my favorite – yohoo!; Money For Nothing is a true 80’s hymn, Sting backvocals included (I do recommend watching the videoclip if you want an extra 80’s nostalgia shot).

Let Downs: Portobello Belle and Tunnel Of Love, when compared to the rest of the album, are a bit below the rest and forgettable songs.

Private Investigations and Brothers In Arms got me thinking though. At first I thought “meh”, but somewhere in the middle, I caught myself appreciating the amazing lyrics, messages and subliminal instrumental touches. Definitely songs to listen again.

Videoclip Incoming!

July 21, 2021 by sandralourenco

Updates

For a long time I’ve been planning on doing a videoclip for one of my originals. When I was getting started I looked around for professional help, but somehow I never found a person that I thought would be a good fit.
With my Bulletized covers I started experimenting with video recording and edition myself. I learned a lot, got better equipment, and now I finally feel ready to take this challenge. 🦾
My song Prisão De Sonhos was an easy choice. You guys loved it and I already have so many ideas for the videoclip!
Although I’ll be doing this myself, I’ll still need to get props and it will be a huge time investment, building the characters, testing makeup and hair styles, video testing in several locations, and then the actual recordings and video editions. Yep, I’m going all professional on this one.
That’s why I’m reaching out. I need all the help I can get to make this happen.
I’ll be selling tickets to a private live streaming that will take place on YouTube on August 12th, where I’ll be performing some acoustic arrangements never before heard of my original songs. All profits will go towards my video, and everyone involved will get a mention in the ending credits!
Tickets start from 1.10$ approximately, but you can contribute with as much as you like or buy as many tickets as you’d like; offer them to your friends or family and invite them too!
To buy a ticket just follow these steps:
1. Click HERE to access the ticket page;
2. Write the value you’d like to contribute in EURO (1€ is the lowest value) (if you need help converting your currency to EURO just check Google Currency Converter);
3. Choose how many tickets you’d like to get;
4. Click the button “GET IT NOW”;
5. Confirm the values, scroll to the end of the page and then click the button PROCEED TO CHECKOUT;
6. If you already have an account click on “Returning customer? Click here to login”, if not fill up your billing details;
7. Choose your payment method (Paypal option also supports most debit or credit cards);
8. Finish your payment and save the link to the upcoming show!
But don’t worry, if you lose the link just get in touch and I’ll send it to you. 😉
Thank you for being awesome. Hope to see you soon! Stay safe, stay happy, and remember, music is always the solution. Bullet OUT!

Review – American Idiot by Green Day

July 14, 2021 by sandralourenco

Album Reviews

Hey guys!
Today I decided to talk more about some albums that really shaped me and my music. And what better album to start with, but the one that brought me and my former band members Rui, Eduardo and Ricardo together. It was actually a Christmas gift that I requested from my family, and they fulfilled it!

American Idiot by Green Day is a musical journey, that floats between Pop-Rock and Punk-Rock, with a loud and aggressive mix, but so pleasing that you’ll want to turn up the volume. I must confess I didn’t know Green Day before this album, but I immediately took care of that by purchasing the previous albums.

Highlights for me: Jesus Of Suburbia, Green Day’s answer to Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody, Give Me Novacaine, my absolute favorite; Whatsername is super addictive; Boulevard Of Broken Dreams is one of those songs you can’t get enough of; but overall there are no bad songs here.

Let downs: after discovering their previous albums, I did feel like American Idiot was somehow more commercial or mainstream. I end up listening to their previous albums a lot more than American Idiot (and I still do). What do you think? 🤔

New Album Release On May 1st!

April 27, 2021 by sandralourenco

Updates

It’s hard for me to find words than can explain what this upcoming album means to me.
When I was 18 I joined a garage Rock band. I was 12 years on that band, rehearsing, writing songs, learning how to play instruments, occasionally also playing live. It became the foundation of the artist I am today.
Along the way, we made 15 original songs. When I became a solo artist, I chose to release my own originals first. I think I needed that back then, to prove myself. But those 15 songs were always on the back of my mind, like an unfinished project.
I knew I had to release them. 3 years ago I started the recordings. I started the edition too, but never finished it. There was always something else that needed to be done, other work for other artist, some online performance.
On February 3rd it was our 15th anniversary; it was on that day, 15 years ago, that I met them, auditioned and got the spot in the band. I also started my musical career that day. And that date gave me the momentum I needed to launch the album.
I couldn’t finish the album on that date; but I managed to release the first single. And I set the goal for May 1st. It wasn’t easy, being my first experience finishing a whole album. I made mistakes, some I managed to get around, some I made my best to attenuate. But like my first EP Longe, I’m very proud of what I did. And I can’t wait to share these songs with all of you. You, who always were there for me, supporting me, believing in me, asking me about this album.
This is for all of you. Because you guys are the reason why I’m here. ROCK ON!

Happy Easter!

April 4, 2021 by sandralourenco

Ramblings

Easter is, after Christmas, the most special holiday for me. Every year, me and my family get together for a lunch at my old grandma’s house. We talk about our lives, the food, who is the better cook, make fun of each other, discuss the most diverse subjects, get mad and make amends the next minute. That’s my family for you.
This tradition has not taken place for the second year in a row, due to Covid. It’s hard, but in the end is our responsability to protect our loved ones, specially the most vulnerable to this disease.
I wish you all a Happy Easter, make the best out of it, stay safe, but most important, stay happy!

New Live Streaming Schedule

February 25, 2021 by sandralourenco

Updates

Hello guys!
As you know with the changes on Sessions I was also forced to change my life.
I spent the last 2 weeks forming a plan and thinking what to do next… All this in the middle of my upcoming album production.
I upgraded my website and I’m so excited to have it up to date and fully functional! You can check my scheduled shows, read all the news, buy my music and even listen to all my originals FOR FREE!
I also started a Bandcamp store where you can not only buy my music but also support me directly. All supporters get all my digital releases released before the subscription and also during the next 365 days prior to the subscription! Click here to check it out.
I will also start soon a Patreon Page to support my Bulletized Covers and Live streamings.
And starting next week, I’ll be doing weekly lives on YouTube (YouTube Fridays) and on Twitch (Twitch Tuesdays). See you there!

A New Dawn

February 19, 2021 by sandralourenco

Updates

My life as a musician has been marked by change. I started working exclusively as a studio musician 4 years ago, doing my original songs on the side.
2 years ago, I was invited to start live-streaming on Beat Fever/Next Music/Sessions. This became my main source of income, although I kept doing studio work and also working on my originals; I also started doing Bulletized covers for YouTube.
Now, my musician life is about to change again. I will keep streaming, doing studio work and Bulletized covers, but my main focus will be my original songs and my Bullet Head fans.
Stay tuned for more news coming soon!

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