Meet Caio Willem | Songwriter & Actor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Caio Willem and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Caio, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
Music was my first love. It has always been a vital part of my life and it’s been there for as long as I can remember. I didn’t come from a family of musicians, so I don’t know when or why I picked it up, but I remember songwriting was and still is one of my favorite things to do. I used to treat it as this super important and untouchable thing, only reserved for special moments or feelings, but nowadays it has grown into a full hobby for me – which it makes sense, because a hobby is something you do for the simple pleasure of it. Some people play video games, some people play soccer on the weekends, and I write songs. It’s not only a fun activity but it’s also extremely therapeutic. So naturally, pursuing an artistic path just happened naturally. I think for me the challenge was to figure out how to be where I wanted to be physically to make the music I wanted to make. Being born and raised in Brazil and wanting to break into North America’s music scene was difficult – But living out in LA and playing shows around here made all those sacrifices worth it when I feel like I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be. I know it may sound repetitive since everyone in LA is an artist, but I guarantee you that getting here was just chapter 2 of this long book.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
When I think about the type of artist that I am, I think about all that it took for me to finally meet him. The common belief with artists is that we are born that way – and honestly, how could you not believe that when you have people in history like Van Gogh, Mozart, Shakespeare… And Taylor Swift. But the truth is talent isn’t genius. You may be born with some of it, but how you use it and improve it is really what sets you apart from others. I used to compare myself a lot with other artists and that has caused me to grow frustrated with so many aspects of artistry that I had to completely break that character apart and rebuild it in my head. All because of silly little dreams that can make a big impact on your brain, for example: I thought I’d have my first record out by 20, that I’d have a Grammy by 22 and I’d be a legend by 25. I’m 28, and my debut is yet to come out for starters. I used to believe that that’s what makes me a failure, but it doesn’t: it just means my path is different. Sara Bareilles released her first big song at 28, having a completely self-released album before that. Who would dare to argue she isn’t one of the greatest songwriters of our lifetime? And yet, she barely got her first Grammy in 2020. Awards, success, fame, not even talent even, are metrics that can tell you what it means to be an artist. I learned a couple of years ago that being an artist means you’re a conductor; you’re using Art and being used by Art simply because it’s what you were born to do – and you can see that as a spiritual thing, or as a simple mundane thing if you don’t believe in anything, because either way your brain is hardwired to make Art. There’s no need to question the why’s and how’s of it, I remember spending so much time thinking “but why do I want this so bad?” and I could never get to a conclusion because simply there isn’t one. You just do it. Because you have to. Because the urge tells you to. That’s it. It reminds me of this Martha Graham quote: “There is a vitality, a life force, a quickening that is translated through you into action, and because there is only one of you in all time, this expression is unique. If you block it (…) the world will not have it. It is not yours to determine how good it is; nor how it compares with other expressions. It is your business to keep the channel open”. That quote quite literally saved my life as an artist, because it made me understand that no matter where I am, what I’m doing, how much money I have or how much fame or recognition it is attributed to my name: I AM an Artist, first and foremost.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
For LA first timers, I always like to have a “tourist day” first. Being an outsider makes you appreciate the tourist spots, and this city has many of them to offer. I like to start with a tour of Hollywood, from the Walk Of Fame to the sign, then Griffith Observatory and Downtown. A ride on Angel’s Flight and lunch at Grand Central Market are a must. And then perhaps end the day in Santa Monica, watching the sunset by the pier. Then I like to give them my own side of LA: I take them to my favorite café (Beachwood Café in Hollywood), then we can do a hike or visit any nature spot, maybe go see some art at the Getty or Lacma before dancing the night away in the clubs of West Hollywood. If we have time, a visit to Universal Studios and Disneyland are also crucial for first timers. The Studio Tour from Universal is just so fun, even for history lovers. My music producer and his wife are coming to visit me in March and we already have a whole itinerary prepared. I can’t wait to have them here!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Gosh, so many people. I’ve met so many amazing artists and people from the industry in all the years I’ve spent in this Country, but for now I would like to give a shout out to VRL Unplugged, a collective of artists from West Hollywood I am part of, in special: Mossy Stone, Austin Miller, Gia Giselle, Corrina Tightspot, Sister Teeth, Micah\\, Jace Bachman, Quill Inkwell, Richard Rosales, Jay Godi and Indiana Williams. Making music with you all this year has been the most exhilarating experience of my life. Thank you for offering your gift to the world when it needed it the most.

Website: https://linktr.ee/caiothatdreamer

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/caiothatdreamer/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caio-willem-b3044a158

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@caiothatdreamer

Other: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2RoftrOsfxfwDaAyBHWEG4?si=M8JrkCOQSlGLVjNRIH570g

Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/caio-willem/1762590060

Image Credits
Christine Anne Photography (@chrvstinephoto)