We recently connected with Fernando Alves, also known as Vento and have shared our conversation below

Fernando, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.

My story begins 17 years ago in a small town in Brazil. I was flipping through channels on my parents’ TV when I came across an animated music video. As a self-proclaimed nerd, I thought it was amazing. It looked like a cool open-world video game, with lots of palm trees. There was this little guy riding a giant dragonfly, another snowboarding on top of the Golden Gate Bridge, and in the background, a beautiful song was playing.

That channel was MTV, and the music video was “Californication” by the Red Hot Chili Peppers. It was at that moment that I fell in love with music.

Years passed, and I learned to play guitar. I even started a band. But like most people, I followed the traditional path. I graduated high school, finished college, got an internship, and landed a job. I received promotions, got my own place, a car, and settled into what seemed like the right life.

But no matter how much I had accomplished, there was always this feeling that I wasn’t in the right place. Sitting in an office felt more and more depressing. Something didn’t feel right.

Then one day, when I was around 23 or 24, I decided to change everything. I can’t explain why or how, but it happened in an instant. The next thing I knew, I was preparing to leave Brazil and start over in Los Angeles as a music student.

It was a huge risk. I was leaving behind my family, friends, and everything I knew for something uncertain.

Five years later, I’m still in Los Angeles. I’ve explored many paths as a musician—from busking on the streets of Hollywood and Santa Monica, playing guitar dressed as an alien, to surviving a pandemic and dealing with failed music business ideas. Now, I’m finally thriving as a DJ, guitar player, and music producer. I’ve made amazing friends and experienced so much. My family is still proud, although my mom and grandpa still get emotional about the distance.

Looking back, I’ve never felt more alive or more grateful for everything that’s come my way.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I started my music career as a guitar player when I moved to LA in 2019. At the time, I said yes to every opportunity that came my way, eager to learn and grow. I played live sessions for various artists, was part of bands, and even did solo performances at small venues like bars and cafes. It was a challenging period, especially with COVID affecting everything, but I kept pushing forward. To make ends meet, I also spent time busking on Hollywood Blvd, the 3rd Street Promenade in Santa Monica, and at the Japanese Village Plaza in Little Tokyo. This street performing experience was a big part of my journey, helping me develop both as a musician and as a person.

As I spent more time exploring the LA music scene, I became increasingly drawn to music production. I started collaborating with friends and experimenting with self-produced lo-fi beats, which I now share under the name “Vento” on various streaming platforms. My interest in production led me to enroll in the music technology program at LACC, where I learned about DAWs (Digital Audio Workstations), music theory, and the business side of music. It was there that I discovered DJing, thanks to a friend who introduced me to the craft during my internship. I started DJing as a way to gain experience and connect with a new audience, and soon I found myself falling in love with the art form.

Though I initially focused on Brazilian music, I’ve found ways to blend those influences with other genres and create something fresh. The rhythms and melodies of Brazil, from samba to bossa nova, have always been a huge part of my musical identity. But as I grew as an artist, I began to experiment with mixing Brazilian sounds with electronic music in a way that feels organic and unique. It’s been an exciting journey of blending the old with the new, the traditional with the modern.

One of the key things that sets me apart as a DJ is my ability to play guitar live during my sets. This adds a layer of authenticity and improvisation that makes each performance feel special. I love the challenge of integrating live guitar with electronic music—it allows me to express myself in ways that feel personal and in-the-moment. The combination of Brazilian music, live guitar, and electronic sounds creates a dynamic, ever-evolving performance that keeps both me and the audience engaged.

Along with my live performances, I’ve been building my YouTube channel, where I upload mixes recorded in beautiful outdoor locations that inspire me. The channel has become a place where I can showcase my music and connect with people from around the world. Collaborating with local artists has also been an important part of my journey, allowing me to refine my sound and push myself creatively. I’m currently working on producing my own original music, which I plan to release soon.

For me, music is more than just entertainment—it’s a way to tell stories, connect with others, and express emotions that words can’t capture. When I DJ, I see my set as an entire song, a journey that unfolds over time. Each track is a building block of something greater, and I carefully craft the flow of the set to create tension, release, and emotion. Whether it’s the rhythms of Brazil or the energy of electronic beats, I strive to create an experience that resonates with my audience and reflects my passion for music.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

Even though I love DJing and music production, I really believe that this is just a means to an end. My main goal in life is to share as much knowledge as I can on how to be happy, healthy, and wealthy.

Right now, I am acquiring this knowledge by building my career in the music business, which has been forcing me to grow in every single aspect of life. I have learned a lot in these last 5 years, and I know that there is much more to come.

I just want to see what happens if I put all of my energy into becoming a great DJ and music producer, and what I can learn from it.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

In my opinion, being a creative is an extremely generous act where you are bringing something to life that cannot be done by anyone else but you, and in most cases, this act is risky and the payback takes time.

I believe that no one will be able to write a poem exactly like you, no one will be able to compose a song exactly like you, and the same goes for every single art form in the world. When people resonate with something done in the most authentic way possible, and connect, there is this amazing feeling of “mission accomplished, you did what you were supposed to, you shared something unique”.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://solo.to/ventomusik
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ventomusik
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ventomusik
• Other: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/07uj6GeKt161c1bSfCgh5o?si=556481c9fae14eaa