Artists
Rocha - The Rocha Collective
Rocha is a classically trained multi-instrumentalist and producer, currently based in Los Angeles. Born and raised within a musical family in São Paulo, Brazil, he was exposed to music very early. At the age of eight, he began playing the piano, and by twelve was playing keyboard professionally. Rocha would go on to study guitar at the legendary Conservatório De Tatuí, where he focused on American Jazz and Brazilian Instrumental Music.
Rocha has since worked with dozens of Brazil’s top artists as both a songwriter and producer. He also served as the music director, on Programa Silvio Santos, one of Brazil’s most popular television shows for many years. In 2016, Rocha decided to relocate to Los Angeles. Since arriving, he has made a name for himself as one of the most dynamic, adaptable, and professional artists in L.A.
In the fall of 2021, Rocha embarked on an international tour with Ricky Martin and has also shared the stage with artists like Stevie Wonder, Terrace Martin, Gloria Trevi, Mike Philips, and many others. Currently, you can see Rocha with his band, The Rocha Collective, on Fridays at his residency at the Sun Rose in West Hollywood.
Q&A WITH ROCHA
PRS: You recently toured the world with the famous Puerto Rican singer Ricky Martin. How did the opportunity to work with him come about?
Rocha: I was approached by my good friend Jacin Nagao (Ricky’s guitarist/sax player) asking if I would be available to play the tour. When I said yes, he sent my stuff to Ricky and the MD, and I got the gig. It was one of those situations when everything just aligned because they needed someone who could play multiple instruments, sing, and be very professional with the music because the show is killer, and the band is awesome. I have the best time working with that camp.
PRS: In addition to your performing and touring duties, you maintain your own recording facility in L.A. “The Crib." What’s the story behind that name?
Rocha: I spend most of my time in my studio, so I make sure it always feels like home and also every time I have an artist or musician there, I receive them with a nice “welcome to my crib” so it just made sense to have that name.
PRS: When and where did you initially encounter the PRS brand, and do you remember the first time you played one of our guitars?
Rocha: I have a few friends in Brazil who play PRS guitars, and I was always intrigued by the sound because it usually takes me a minute to get used to a new guitar and PRS are very different. I was in New York on vacation when I made the decision to buy one after trying it at a guitar shop. I just had to play it for a few minutes to fall in love with it. I remember being very inspired while playing it.
PRS: What do you love the most about your PRS guitars?
Rocha: There are many things I love about PRS guitars, but one of my favorites is the quality standard. It's literally my favorite guitar when I’m working as a sideman, and it has been my main guitar in my own shows. It's very impressive that any of my PRS guitars deliver what I need with perfection from the construction to the sound. Consistency is important to me. I usually rock a Custom 24 and a 509 for tours and Silver Sky and NF 53 for my shows. The last 2 became my sound!
PRS: Do you have any forthcoming projects we should be keeping an ear out for?
Rocha: I have a few fun projects coming! I just recorded a live album of my project The Rocha Collective Live on Sunset. It will be released very soon. My singer-songwriter project is being mixed right now and my LO-FI album is mixed and mastered. I also recently became a partner with one of the biggest Social Media platforms called Coffee Music. I will be the representative of the brand in America and recorded the first videos this week. I will release weekly songs in all streaming platforms with some off the best singers and musicians around and all songs will have a video of the live performance at my studio. The name of the project is “Rocha live from The Crib”. I am very excited with all this.
