The triumph of Saulo Oliveira S. Absent for almost two years he turns thirty and accumulates successes between disappearances
A decade of career and success as the rock star turns 30
by Olivia Omen, Friday, July 14th, 2023
June 6, 2006, also known as 06/06/06 or the “666 day”, was a highly anticipated date among some religious groups, as the number 666 is often associated with the devil or the Antichrist in Christian theology. Many people believed that something significant or ominous would happen on that day, but in general, it was just a normal day like any other. However, the date did receive a lot of media attention and became a popular topic of discussion and speculation leading up to it. And, apart from that, something really interesting took place.
In the heart of Curitiba, Brazil, on this fateful day in June 2006, a young boy by the name of Saulo Oliveira S. found himself at a crossroad. As he waited for the school bus, a mysterious man, wearing head to toe black, suit and tie, appeared before him, challenging Saulo to a harmonica-playing contest. Many believed this man to be the devil himself, but young Saulo, undaunted by the challenge, accepted and proceeded to play his harmonica with all the skill and passion he possessed. The man claimed that the harmonica in his hand was from another dimension and would give its possessor unlimited creative and musical powers. He then proposes a challenge to the boy: a solo battle. “Whoever plays the best harmonica solo will have the Elder Harmonica”, said the man, according to witnesses. If Saulo lost he was to give the man his soul. To his own surprise and that of everyone present, Saulo emerged victorious, and the strange man gifted him with a harmonica that would become legendary in his life and music career — the Elder Harmonica. From that day forward, Saulo’s destiny was set, and he would go on to become known as the ‘boy who defeated the devil and became bigger than God’, a rock musician, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist with a unique blend of Blues and modern pop in his compositions.
But Saulo’s talents and passions would extend far beyond the world of music, as he would also become a lawyer and activist for human rights, as well as a film enthusiast and critic. This is the brief but compelling story of Saulo Oliveira S., a true rockstar and a force for positive change in the world.
Despite his early success and the acclaim that followed, Saulo faced many challenges in his career and personal life. As he grew older, he became increasingly interested in using his music and platform to advocate for causes he believed in, evoking themes in his work such as the defying of authoritarianism and empower of all forms of art. He also faced the difficulties of balancing his artistic pursuits with his endeavor as a student, the seduction of alcohol, as well as navigating the ever-changing landscape of the music industry.
But through it all, Saulo remained committed to his vision, constantly evolving his sound and pushing the boundaries of what it meant to be a rock musician in the 21st century. From his critically acclaimed album ‘Wild Horizon’, which featured the legendary Elder Harmonica, to his work as a filmmaker and activist, Saulo Oliveira S. continues to inspire and amaze audiences around the world.
Oliveira was born on July 14th, 1993, Birmingham, England. His musical work has influence in classic rock scene, bands such as The Doors, The Beatles, Pink Floyd, Black Sabbath, Oasis, Nirvana and so on, which you can see right away. He also ventured into directing a documentary following Thomas Vinterberg’s Dogme 95. Plus, he composed the original score of this same documentary, “Ethics, Politics and Citizenship”, in 2013. Back at the day, that’s probably his first composition that we have news of.
In 2019 Mr. Oliveira dropped the single “Old MTV” a blues-beat song with nostalgic lyrics. Then came the protesting opera-rock, “What Governs Behind Them + Kool Kids Klub”. After that the pop-rock single “Like We Used To Do” arrived.
In October of 2019 was the Christmas single’s turn to show up. “Antichrist-Mas”, a Christmas single against Christmas. The campaign promoting the single was in brilliant horror movie format and the poster reads “The red this year will be Santa’s blood”, setting an uncompromising and formidably appealing tone.
In 2020 the artist externalized his devotion for conceptual work with “Wild Horizon”. One of the comments about “The Doors of Perception” is “Masterpiece in the world of rock” from a listener on Soundclound. The Hype Magazine called his lyrics “provocative” and stated that “His catalogue already shows the craftsmanship in writing and political vision of the world (…)”.
Following this, the singer released “Lockdown”, a strategic and commercial move, one of his most listened to songs during the pandemic. In 2022 he joined the board of OFTA (Online Film & Television Association) as a permanent member.
So far, he has been two times the cover of the Rock Life Today Magazine (june edition 2022 and December edition 2022), and in the second time he was granted the title of “Rocker of The Year”. He was also the cover of the Hollywood Gossip’s “Musicians on Musician” in December 2022 and was recently the cover of “Avec Élégance Magazine”, (march 2023).
In “Renewing Rock N Roll”, released on February 4, 2022 - the EP’s flagship - Saulo fires his sentences at a frantic speed, with certainty. Everything is built to hold attention. The rocker spells 1.593 words in six minutes while Eminem spelled 789 words in “Lose Yourself” and 1.539 words in “Rap God”, both 5 and 6 minutes respectively. That’s historic. The Prince of Rock broke a record surpassing Slim Shady. Saulo Oliveira proves not only that he is capable of telling a good story, but he can do it with agility and efficiency. In that sense, RRNR is a remarkable epic.
As for his most notable trait, the artistic appeal, everything starts when, accepting a challenge from law school, the young man embarks on the mission of writing, directing and also composing the music for a documentary about the politicized movements of June Journeys in Brazil.
Despite his status as a rock star, Saulo is a man of many talents and passions. Alongside his music career, he has also made a name for himself as a Brazilian lawyer advocating for social justice, fighting for the well-being of the Amazon Rainforest, for an example. Saulo is a member of the Online Film and Television Association, where he is highly respected for his opinions concerning the world of cinema. In addition, Saulo holds a Harvard degree in Art and Design, a testament to his diverse interests and commitment to lifelong learning. This versatility and breadth of expertise have not only made Saulo a respected figure in multiple fields but have also informed and enriched his music, imbuing it with a depth and complexity that is rare in the world of rock and roll.
It’s true; sometimes he disappears for an extended period of time and leaves everyone wondering what he’s going to do next, as is the case with speculation about his highly anticipated new single “Nighthawks”. But the wait is rewarded because whenever he returns his new project tends to be ravishing. Therefore, keeping an eye on the artist’s steps is vitally important.
Whether he is playing his Elder Harmonica or fighting for his believes, Saulo is a man who embodies the spirit of rock and roll — a rebel, a dreamer, and a true original.
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