With her unmistakable tone, melodic precision, and emotional depth, Brazilian guitarist Lari Basilio continues to push the boundaries of instrumental music. Her upcoming album Redemption is not just a collection of songs—it’s a deeply personal journey marked by faith, loss, renewal, and triumph. Shaped by a powerful season in her life that included the heartbreak of miscarriage and the joy of becoming a mother, Redemption is a sonic reflection of healing and hope. In this interview, Lari opens up about the creative process behind the album, the meaning behind its title, her trusted Ibanez LB1 guitar and new JHS Violet pedal, and how she continues to inspire a new generation of musicians with authenticity and grace.
Redemption is such a powerful title. What does the concept of Redemption mean to you personally, and how does it shape the emotional arc of this album?
Redemption will always be about forgiveness and a new life that is given through the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. At a personal level, the journey of this album coincides with my motherhood journey. While working on the songs for this album, I suffered a miscarriage, and later, I got pregnant again, and now I have my son in my arms. I’m about to release this album that pretty much was the soundtrack for this moment of my life. This was my redemption moment.
Can you walk us through the creative journey behind this record? When did the ideas first start taking shape?
My music is always inspired by real-life experiences, and each album marks a specific time of my life. I try to let the feelings and emotions translate into my music and gather them in a way that will tell a story to the listener. In a certain way, every time I pick up the guitar, I try to create something new, so I’m always writing new tunes.
Photo by Eduardo Orelha (May 30th, 2024).
Melody has always been a strong element in your work. How did you approach melodic storytelling differently this time around?
My goal is to never lose sight of a melodic line during a song, and I believe this is a common point in all my compositions. The challenge when writing new tunes is always to create something different and fresh that will still sound like me. I believe the way I work on the format of my songs, which is not very conventional when it comes to instrumental music, helps me to create this melodic space in a way understandable to the listener.
You recorded at EastWest Studios in Los Angeles. What was it like working in such an iconic space?
It was such an amazing experience to be at the iconic EastWest, where so many amazing records were made. Studio Two is a great-sounding room with fantastic gear and crew. Every little detail during the recording process cooperates for a good final product, so I’m glad I had the opportunity of recording there.
How did collaborating with musicians like Vinnie Colaiuta, Leland Sklar, and Sean Hurley influence the sound of the album?
Musicians of their caliber change everything. Their interpretation, note choices, what they play, and what they don’t play, elevate the songs so much!
Each one of them has their own musical personality, and it’s amazing to witness them working their magic in the studio. I feel really blessed to know Vinnie, Leland, Sean, and Mari Jacintho, and it’s an honor to have them on this album.
Let’s talk about the title track, “Redemption.” What inspired that piece, and what message do you hope listeners take away from it?
The track “Redemption” happened so fast. The moment I started writing the solo for this track, I knew it would be called “Redemption.” It just gave me this feeling of a new life and peace. I hope everyone can feel the same!
“The Way Home” dropped in April. It’s such a beautiful track. How did that song come together, and why did you choose it as a single?
Thank you! I love having some fun riffs to play, and this tune is driven by them!
This track is uplifting, and it gives me a feeling of coming back to something good; that’s why I chose it to be one of the singles.
Were there any particularly challenging or surprisingly easy tracks to write or record?
Each song brought some kind of surprise when recording, especially when I have musicians like Vinnie Colaiuta, Leland Sklar, Sean Hurley, and Mari Jacintho recording with me. They are living legends, and with their musical sensibility, there’s always good surprises. I can hear their heart and soul when they play, and I’m honored and grateful to have them on this record with me.
Did you explore any new genres, textures, or techniques on this album that differ from your previous work?
On this album, I have a track that is guitar-only. No other instruments. It’s called “Forever.” I love playing like this, and I think it was about time for me to have a tune written like this as part of an album.
You’ve been playing your signature Ibanez LB1 for a while, and now there’s a sleek new black finish. What drew you to that new aesthetic?
Yes! Since I got my first prototype of the Ibanez LB1, I’ve never put it down. I love everything about it, and I feel so inspired by it. Now we’re releasing it with a black finish, which will be available in Summer. I would like to offer some color options for everyone, keeping the same specs. We already have it in Violet, White, and now in Black.
How involved were you in the design of the LB1, and what makes it unique to your playing style?
I was 100% involved in the design of my Ibanez LB1. When I was approached by Ibanez to discuss a signature model, I already knew what I wanted. Ibanez was amazing and they brought to life my dream guitar. It’s a very versatile instrument, which is why it really needs the style of music that I like to play. One of my favorite features is the compound fretboard radius that goes from 9” to 12”. I also love that it comes with my signature pickups from Seymour Duncan, which, along with the dyna-MIX9 switch, I get nine different tones from this amazing instrument!
You also launched the Violet distortion pedal with JHS. Congrats! How did that collaboration come about?
I’m so proud of the JHS Violet pedal! I’ve been a fan of their products and have been using their pedals for many, many years now. Josh approached me with the idea of a signature pedal, and we started discussing the whole concept. Josh is a genius and understood exactly what I like and how I wanted the pedal to sound. The result is out there for everyone to play!
The midrange control before the distortion circuit is such a cool feature. How does it help you shape your tone during recording or live shows?
I absolutely love this feature as well! This is what makes this pedal unique as a powerful pre-amp distortion shaping tool. I always use this pedal in front of my Laney Lionheart amp. I also love that I have full control of the EQ, which is essential to me in a distortion/overdrive pedal. It doesn’t matter the situation, live or in the studio, or in which room I am playing, having these controls makes it so much easier to get to the tone I’m looking for. Every signature product that I work on has to be versatile to suit the style of my tunes and the music I like to play, and this pedal is no different!
Are there any moments on Redemption where the LB1 or the Violet pedal really shines for fans to listen to?
The whole record I recorded with my signature guitar Ibanez LB1, except the track “Seven,” for which I used a 7-string guitar, the Ibanez AZ7. All the lead tones and some rhythm guitars of my new album, Redemption, were recorded with the JHS Violet pedal.
Your music beautifully blends Brazilian roots with modern instrumental rock. How do you continue to incorporate those influences into your evolving sound?
The Brazilian roots are definitely part of me, although I’ve never studied or played Brazilian music that much. I think I’ve been exposed to it enough to naturally make it part of my essence for good, which is an amazing thing!
You’ve shared stages with legends like Satriani, Vai, and Petrucci. How have those experiences shaped your confidence and creativity as an artist?
I was fortunate enough to meet and work with my guitar heroes, guitar players that I grew up listening to! Their music and career are so inspiring and definitely are a reference to me. There is so much to learn from my heroes! So I feel really honored and humbled every time I’m in their presence and watching them play!
With the album on the horizon, are there tour plans or special performances in the works?
Yes! I’m pretty excited to hit the road soon! We have a European tour scheduled for October/November 2025 and US dates coming up soon as well. All dates are being added on my website, laribasilio.com.
What advice would you give to young women guitarists who look up to you and want to follow a similar path?
The best thing I could say is for them to really pursue what they love to do! It was what I did and keep doing to this day. Everything will have its challenges in life, but when you do something you really love, the path can be lighter and fun! That’s the whole point!
Redemption Tracklist
1 – The Way Home
2 – Seasons
3 – Redemption
4 – Bliss
5 – Dear D
6 – New Chapter
7 – Seven
8 – Heartbeat
9 – Summertime
10 – The Fighter
11 – Forever
RELATED STORIES:
