Q1: “Aurora Melodies: A Journey Through Strings” is your new project — how would you describe the concept of this album in a few words?
A1 (Walter Monsanto): Aurora Melodies is pure adrenaline through strings. It’s my fourth full-length album — although I also released an EP called When Power Begins — and this time I wanted to explore a new format. It’s an instrumental record created mainly with electroacoustic guitars, thanks to my sponsorship with Lava Guitars, which came at the perfect time. My vision was to combine electric and acoustic guitars in a way that creates a balance of emotions and melodies. The result is a melodic and catchy album that I consider my best solo work to date, capturing all the emotions I’ve been expressing through music over these years.
Q2: Every album tells a story. What inspired you to write and record “Aurora Melodies” at this particular moment in your career?
A2 (Walter Monsanto): I had this idea in mind since last year. My last solo album, Perfect Balance, was released during the pandemic in 2020, and since then I also released an album with my parallel band, De La Cruz, which is hard rock in Spanish. But this time I felt it was the right moment to return to a solo project and explore new musical landscapes. I wanted to create something memorable, where each track conveys emotions people can connect with. Life has its ups and downs, and this album reflects that: electroacoustic parts contrasted with electric guitar; some songs are cheerful, others more melancholic and nostalgic. I was inspired by everything I’ve lived, not just in the last few months, but throughout this entire year.
Q3: This is your fourth solo album. How do you feel “Aurora Melodies” represents growth or evolution compared to your previous work?
A3 (Walter Monsanto): Aurora Melodies definitely marks an evolution compared to my earlier records. This time I wanted to create something more accessible for a wide audience, music people can emotionally relate to. In the past, my solo work had a more metal, progressive, and virtuosic focus — complex scales, intricate arrangements, and technical sections. Although there are still moments of that characteristic intensity in the electric guitar, the heart of this album is its melodic nature. It’s less about showcasing technique and more about letting the music breathe. To me, this record feels bigger, more mature, and represents both my growth as a musician and my evolution as a composer.
Q4: The album combines electric and acoustic guitars in a very particular way. How did you approach finding the balance between both sounds?
A4 (Walter Monsanto): From the start, I knew I wanted to create a dialogue between electric and acoustic guitars. Some songs lean fully one way: for example, “Heartstrings” and the acoustic version of “Turning Tides” are completely acoustic, while “Celestia” is built around electric guitar and synthesizers. But most tracks are designed with a question-and-answer dynamic: the electric guitar presents a passage, and the acoustic responds with a familiar melody, and so on. This back-and-forth was my main intention from day one, to create a natural balance that feels dynamic and emotionally engaging.
Q5: Of all the tracks in “Aurora Melodies,” do you have any favorites that are particularly special to you? Why?
A5 (Walter Monsanto): It’s a tough question because I really love every track. But if I had to highlight a few, I’d start with “Shades of Tomorrow,” probably my personal favorite. I also feel strongly connected to “Infinite Mirrors” because of its energy and dynamism. Of course, the title track, “Aurora Melodies,” has a very special place: it’s an eight-and-a-half-minute journey that I feel achieved something I hadn’t done before in terms of instrumentation and creativity, including subtle human voice textures, not singing, just interesting layers. And I can’t forget “Turning Tides,” the first song I composed for this album, which will be the first single and will have a video. Those are my favorites, although every track means a lot to me.
Q6: You’ve collaborated with amazing international artists before. For “Aurora Melodies,” this time you invited talented Guatemalan guitarists. How was that experience compared to working with renowned international musicians?
A6 (Walter Monsanto): Yes, I’ve had the honor of working with international artists like Timo Tolkki, Derek Sherinian, David Readman, Mark Boals and others. For this album, I wanted to highlight local talent, so I invited some highly skilled Guatemalan guitarists. Some of them are musicians I’ve admired since I was a kid, from whom I even learned techniques just by listening. Others are close friends and colleagues I’ve played back-to-back with in recent years. It was a refreshing and inspiring experience; working with them was very close and personal, sharing ideas, experimenting, and capturing authentic energy. It also allowed me to support and showcase talented musicians from my country, making the album even more meaningful and connected to my roots.
Q7: You mentioned that “Turning Tides” will be the first single. What made you choose that song to introduce the album to the world?
A7 (Walter Monsanto): “Turning Tides” was always the main single from day one. From the start of creating the album, I knew it would perfectly represent this new stage of my solo career. Conceptually, it embodies the essence of the record, which is why it’s also track number one. The song has a catchy, melodic chorus that feels nostalgic, melancholic, and uplifting at the same time. I believe it will connect with the audience not only musically but also visually, because the video concept is already defined. It’s the perfect introduction to Aurora Melodies for first-time listeners.
Q8: You’ve worked extensively with electric and acoustic guitars. Did you face any challenges composing and recording this album with these instruments?
A8 (Walter Monsanto): Actually, this album flowed surprisingly well. Of course, there are always challenges when creating a record: technical difficulties, moments that could delay a release, etc. But this time everything fit together. I locked myself in the studio for a month, and about 80% of the album was composed, recorded, mixed, and mastered almost simultaneously. That could have been overwhelming, but the timing was perfect. I was able to fully immerse myself, working on each track with inspiration and care. Overall, the process was very smooth, and I feel it reflects in the final result.
Q9: Many fans are curious: did you experiment with new techniques or sounds on “Aurora Melodies” that you hadn’t tried before?
A9 (Walter Monsanto): Yes. Beyond the focus on electric and acoustic guitars, which is new for me in a solo album, I incorporated more synthesizers and a few percussions than ever before. Everything integrated naturally with my sound. I also used my Lava Spruce guitar, which I love and am thankful to Lava Guitars for sponsoring, along with my Fender, ESP, and Jackson guitars, instruments I’ve used for years that maintain a familiar sound. Regarding style, nothing drastically new, except for the subtle human voice textures on the title track, which added a fresh layer to the record.
Q10: If someone listens to “Aurora Melodies” for the first time, what experience or feeling do you hope they take away?
A10 (Walter Monsanto): When I shared the album with some close friends during mixing, I noticed how it moved them: some almost cried with certain tracks, while others felt uplifted and energized. That’s exactly what I hope listeners feel: the ability to connect with the intention and emotion behind each track. I want people to feel the power of the music from start to finish. It’s an album you can listen to anywhere: in the car on the way to the beach, working, or just relaxing at home. It’s for all ages: a teenager, your aunt, or your uncle can listen and enjoy. That accessibility and emotional connection was a central purpose of the album.
Q11: Finally, looking back at your career, where does “Aurora Melodies” fit within your personal and musical journey?
A11 (Walter Monsanto): It definitely represents the best version of me as a person, with many lessons learned and a very meaningful musical stage. This album reflects the deepest aspect of my creativity, and it’s a project I value as an artist, not just as a guitarist but also as a composer and producer. I can say I fell in love with this record in a way I hadn’t felt with any previous work.
Walter Monsanto
AI Complete Interview – English
Q1: “Aurora Melodies: A Journey Through Strings” is your new project — how would you describe the concept of this album in a few words?
A1 (Walter Monsanto): Aurora Melodies is pure adrenaline through strings. It’s my fourth full-length album — although I also released an EP called When Power Begins — and this time I wanted to explore a new format. It’s an instrumental record created mainly with electroacoustic guitars, thanks to my sponsorship with Lava Guitars, which came at the perfect time. My vision was to combine electric and acoustic guitars in a way that creates a balance of emotions and melodies. The result is a melodic and catchy album that I consider my best solo work to date, capturing all the emotions I’ve been expressing through music over these years.
Q2: Every album tells a story. What inspired you to write and record “Aurora Melodies” at this particular moment in your career?
A2 (Walter Monsanto): I had this idea in mind since last year. My last solo album, Perfect Balance, was released during the pandemic in 2020, and since then I also released an album with my parallel band, De La Cruz, which is hard rock in Spanish. But this time I felt it was the right moment to return to a solo project and explore new musical landscapes. I wanted to create something memorable, where each track conveys emotions people can connect with. Life has its ups and downs, and this album reflects that: electroacoustic parts contrasted with electric guitar; some songs are cheerful, others more melancholic and nostalgic. I was inspired by everything I’ve lived, not just in the last few months, but throughout this entire year.
Q3: This is your fourth solo album. How do you feel “Aurora Melodies” represents growth or evolution compared to your previous work?
A3 (Walter Monsanto): Aurora Melodies definitely marks an evolution compared to my earlier records. This time I wanted to create something more accessible for a wide audience, music people can emotionally relate to. In the past, my solo work had a more metal, progressive, and virtuosic focus — complex scales, intricate arrangements, and technical sections. Although there are still moments of that characteristic intensity in the electric guitar, the heart of this album is its melodic nature. It’s less about showcasing technique and more about letting the music breathe. To me, this record feels bigger, more mature, and represents both my growth as a musician and my evolution as a composer.
Q4: The album combines electric and acoustic guitars in a very particular way. How did you approach finding the balance between both sounds?
A4 (Walter Monsanto): From the start, I knew I wanted to create a dialogue between electric and acoustic guitars. Some songs lean fully one way: for example, “Heartstrings” and the acoustic version of “Turning Tides” are completely acoustic, while “Celestia” is built around electric guitar and synthesizers. But most tracks are designed with a question-and-answer dynamic: the electric guitar presents a passage, and the acoustic responds with a familiar melody, and so on. This back-and-forth was my main intention from day one, to create a natural balance that feels dynamic and emotionally engaging.
Q5: Of all the tracks in “Aurora Melodies,” do you have any favorites that are particularly special to you? Why?
A5 (Walter Monsanto): It’s a tough question because I really love every track. But if I had to highlight a few, I’d start with “Shades of Tomorrow,” probably my personal favorite. I also feel strongly connected to “Infinite Mirrors” because of its energy and dynamism. Of course, the title track, “Aurora Melodies,” has a very special place: it’s an eight-and-a-half-minute journey that I feel achieved something I hadn’t done before in terms of instrumentation and creativity, including subtle human voice textures, not singing, just interesting layers. And I can’t forget “Turning Tides,” the first song I composed for this album, which will be the first single and will have a video. Those are my favorites, although every track means a lot to me.
Q6: You’ve collaborated with amazing international artists before. For “Aurora Melodies,” this time you invited talented Guatemalan guitarists. How was that experience compared to working with renowned international musicians?
A6 (Walter Monsanto): Yes, I’ve had the honor of working with international artists like Timo Tolkki, Derek Sherinian, David Readman, Mark Boals and others. For this album, I wanted to highlight local talent, so I invited some highly skilled Guatemalan guitarists. Some of them are musicians I’ve admired since I was a kid, from whom I even learned techniques just by listening. Others are close friends and colleagues I’ve played back-to-back with in recent years. It was a refreshing and inspiring experience; working with them was very close and personal, sharing ideas, experimenting, and capturing authentic energy. It also allowed me to support and showcase talented musicians from my country, making the album even more meaningful and connected to my roots.
Q7: You mentioned that “Turning Tides” will be the first single. What made you choose that song to introduce the album to the world?
A7 (Walter Monsanto): “Turning Tides” was always the main single from day one. From the start of creating the album, I knew it would perfectly represent this new stage of my solo career. Conceptually, it embodies the essence of the record, which is why it’s also track number one. The song has a catchy, melodic chorus that feels nostalgic, melancholic, and uplifting at the same time. I believe it will connect with the audience not only musically but also visually, because the video concept is already defined. It’s the perfect introduction to Aurora Melodies for first-time listeners.
Q8: You’ve worked extensively with electric and acoustic guitars. Did you face any challenges composing and recording this album with these instruments?
A8 (Walter Monsanto): Actually, this album flowed surprisingly well. Of course, there are always challenges when creating a record: technical difficulties, moments that could delay a release, etc. But this time everything fit together. I locked myself in the studio for a month, and about 80% of the album was composed, recorded, mixed, and mastered almost simultaneously. That could have been overwhelming, but the timing was perfect. I was able to fully immerse myself, working on each track with inspiration and care. Overall, the process was very smooth, and I feel it reflects in the final result.
Q9: Many fans are curious: did you experiment with new techniques or sounds on “Aurora Melodies” that you hadn’t tried before?
A9 (Walter Monsanto): Yes. Beyond the focus on electric and acoustic guitars, which is new for me in a solo album, I incorporated more synthesizers and a few percussions than ever before. Everything integrated naturally with my sound. I also used my Lava Spruce guitar, which I love and am thankful to Lava Guitars for sponsoring, along with my Fender, ESP, and Jackson guitars, instruments I’ve used for years that maintain a familiar sound. Regarding style, nothing drastically new, except for the subtle human voice textures on the title track, which added a fresh layer to the record.
Q10: If someone listens to “Aurora Melodies” for the first time, what experience or feeling do you hope they take away?
A10 (Walter Monsanto): When I shared the album with some close friends during mixing, I noticed how it moved them: some almost cried with certain tracks, while others felt uplifted and energized. That’s exactly what I hope listeners feel: the ability to connect with the intention and emotion behind each track. I want people to feel the power of the music from start to finish. It’s an album you can listen to anywhere: in the car on the way to the beach, working, or just relaxing at home. It’s for all ages: a teenager, your aunt, or your uncle can listen and enjoy. That accessibility and emotional connection was a central purpose of the album.
Q11: Finally, looking back at your career, where does “Aurora Melodies” fit within your personal and musical journey?
A11 (Walter Monsanto): It definitely represents the best version of me as a person, with many lessons learned and a very meaningful musical stage. This album reflects the deepest aspect of my creativity, and it’s a project I value as an artist, not just as a guitarist but also as a composer and producer. I can say I fell in love with this record in a way I hadn’t felt with any previous work.
2 weeks ago | [YT] | 3