Meet Fernando Alves | DJ & Music Producer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Fernando Alves aka Vento and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Vento, we’d love to hear about a book that’s had an impact on you.
One of the books that changed me the most was ‘Ego Is The Enemy’ by Ryan Holiday.

I think as a creative, keeping your ego in check is very important; after all, ego is a part of what makes us have aspirations and look to the top. I believe that sometimes, these aspirations are nothing but a desire to be noticed, seen as somebody important, to feel validated, and to have status.

I learned that my ego made me dependent on external opinions, making me waste my time doing things that I actually didn’t like instead of doing things I actually did but were seen as weird, different, or risky. I forgot about my self-motivations, my principles, and my own identity. This way, ego drove me away from my true purpose in life as a creator, which is to bring things to life in their most authentic way.

This book made me understand that one of the biggest dangers of ego is that it makes us think that we are better than what we really are and sometimes it makes us stay stuck in some phase of our craft because we are already ‘amazing’. It also makes us want to grow fast; we want to be young and seen as early geniuses. The entertainment industry loves to create this image of prodigies that sometimes are just a result of an enormous investment of money and pressure.

Another powerful idea written by Ryan is that ego also makes us spend an unreasonable amount of time in specific areas of our lives and forget about the others. How many artists died early because they were so focused on fame and forgot about their health? How many celebrities lost their minds after achieving exorbitant success and having nothing else to do? No friends, no family, nothing. That way, ego makes our lives unbalanced.

Now, by practicing awareness of my own ego, I have been able to prioritize the process over the outcome, embrace authenticity in my craft, and maintain balance in my life, free from the constant craving for external validation.

Finally, I’ve come to understand that detachment is as a powerful tool against ego. It involves seeing ourselves from an external perspective without biases and opinions that may conflict with our true beliefs. This practice helps with focusing on our principles over validation and status, providing true growth and fulfillment.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’m currently focused on developing a unique DJing style that combines the rich traditions of Brazilian music with modern electronic sounds. What sets me apart is playing live guitar during my sets, adding an organic, improvisational feel that makes each performance one of a kind. This blend allows me to highlight the vibrant rhythms and melodies of Brazilian music while layering my own creative expression through live instrumentation.

When I DJ, I think of my set as one big song—a story that unfolds as it progresses. Each track feels like a chord in the larger composition, and I try to connect them in a way that flows naturally, building tension and release. My goal is to take the audience on an emotional rollercoaster, creating moments of excitement, introspection, and connection that leave a lasting impression.

My journey into this space began during a music school internship, where I learned the ropes of event production, sound design, and DJing. That experience gave me the tools to experiment, and over time, I discovered the potential of mixing live guitar with electronic music. Stepping away from formal education to improve my English and focus on my craft has been a turning point. It’s given me the freedom to grow creatively, pushing past traditional methods and finding my own voice.

Brazilian music has always been a big part of my life. Its rhythms and melodies inspire almost everything I do, and I enjoy finding ways to reinterpret those sounds to bridge tradition and modernity. Whether it’s samba’s syncopated beats or bossa nova’s intimacy, I try to keep those roots alive in my sets, reimagining them in fresh and unexpected ways.

Outside of performances, I’ve been working on live mixes for my YouTube channel, often recording in beautiful outdoor locations that inspire me. I’ve also been collaborating with local artists, which has been an exciting way to refine my sound and create something new. Lately, I’ve been pouring my energy into producing original tracks, and I’m looking forward to releasing them soon. They bring together all my influences—Brazilian music, electronic beats, and live guitar—to create something deeply personal.

If there’s one thing I hope people feel when they experience my work, it’s a sense of connection. My goal is to tell a story through music that resonates on an emotional level, celebrating culture, creativity, and human connection. Whether it’s live shows, collaborations, or my upcoming releases, I’m always striving to share something meaningful and memorable.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I am an outdoors guy, so it would definitely involve something outside. I would probably show them as many hiking trails as possible, and also take them to my favorite restaurants and other random spots.

Does Pasadena Count haha? Well, It is LA county so, I think I’m good!

My favorite hiking trail is the Eaton Canyon trails in Pasadena where at the end of it, there is this nice waterfall that you can actually go under. It is a relatively long hike, but the views are incredible, you have a little desert, mountains, and even a forest along the way. If you do it on a sunny day, swimming in that fresh water is the best thing you can do for yourself.

My other favorite spot is Malibu Beach and most specifically on the west side of Malibu Pier. It is a very calm and chill area, the sunset is very beautiful, and I found the most amazing sea shells there.

But my number one place has to be Catalina Island. That place is probably one of the coolest places I have ever been. Being greeted by hundreds of dolphins when arriving on the Ferry, snorkeling on the beach with all those colorful marine beings, and renting a scooter to drive up the mountains and see the ocean are just a few of the coolest things you can do there. Definitely number 1 spot!

In terms of food, there are three places that I take all my friends to. One is the Maruya in Little Tokyo. Personally, their Tonkotsu Ramen is just the best! I would eat that every day if I were not a musician!

Another spot is Blackbird Pizza on Melrose. I think their vegan deep-dish pizza is just a masterpiece. Good for a date, believe me!

Finally, as a Brazilian, I must recommend Pampas Grill at the Original Farmers Market on Fairfax and 3rd street. Their food really tastes like home and it is not as pricey as Fogo de Chão.

LA has many other beautiful locations worth checking out, like the Berlin Forest near Griffith Observatory, The Japan House in Hollywood, and the Huntington Library are also great places to visit.

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?
I think that my Shoutout has to go to the friends I made in this city. Without Jason, Amos, John, Jerome, and Will, I would probably be in a very dark place. These people helped me financially, psychologically, spiritually and professionally. I am also very grateful for some writers that passionately put so much time sharing their knowledge in order to help people like me, so here’s another shoutout to Steven Pressfield, Mark Manson, Susan Cain, Tim Ferris, Seth Godin, Victor Frankl and Angela Duckworth.

Website: https://solo.to/ventomusik

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theventomusik

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

Other: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ventomusik

Image Credits
Nikhil Suresh