Daniel Diau , lead singer of the renowned band Calcinha Preta, shares his journey marked by challenges, determination and passion for music. From his first steps in bars, influenced by country music, to crowded stages, his career was shaped by an unshakable passion for the art of singing.
The experience at Calcinha Preta marked her trajectory, achieving successes and teaching valuable lessons about stage, public and success. After some individual projects, Daniel returned to the band, motivated by the musical identity and the affection of the fans.
A challenging moment was throat surgery in 2008, which temporarily took him away from the stage. However, faith and determination helped him overcome this obstacle, renewing his dedication to music. His conversion to gospel brought a new perspective, leading him to record a solo gospel album. Even in the transition between secular and gospel, Daniel seeks to transmit messages of love and faith through music.
Looking to the future, Daniel shares his plans and dreams, including a possible move to the United States and a quieter life with his family. However, music remains in his heart, always present in his aspirations and in his gratitude for the journey so far.
Daniel, your journey in music began at an early age, singing in bars and forming duos influenced by country music. How have these early experiences shaped your career and musical identity over the years?
My musical journey started at an early age. I actually started in church when I was 10 years old, singing some hymns and praises. At 19, that’s when I started singing in bars. Before that, I already participated in a little group called Grupo Xadrez, which I formed at the time imitating Dominó. Of the members, I was the only one who continued his musical career. Then I started singing in bars. I had a partner, Daniel de Alma, with whom I formed a country duo. That’s where the countryman came. Before that, he used to sing songs by Roupa Nova, Fivers , and Yahoo, among other styles. For me, it was a very rewarding and wonderful experience. What really changed my career was singing country songs, in which my voice already identified with the style of singers like Leonardo, Zezé Di Camargo, Marco & Alcântara, Chitãozinho & Xororó, Chrystian & Ralf. It was these artists who inspired me when I heard their songs to sing in bars. Today, I’m performing these songs in forró. I started singing forronejo , doing forró with country songs in a romantic rhythm. These are songs that marked eras and talk about family and love. For me, it is very gratifying to sing songs that address such significant topics in a couple’s life.
You had a remarkable time with the band Calcinha Preta, where you had several hits. What was your experience in this band like and what did you learn most during that period?
I had several stints in Calcinha Preta and I’m still in the band to this day. Striking were the songs that made the season, those that we re-recorded and had reinterpretations, entertainment. We planted several hits, such as “Hoje à Noite”, “Mágica”, and “Cobertor”, which were pioneers, right? What I learned most here was the experience with the stage and the public, how to deal with fans and success as well. Maintaining success is difficult, isn’t it? Today, thank God, we are able to maintain this success because we do work with great care, a lot of love for our audience and fans. I’ve never been shy about going on stage, singing, picking up the microphone. It was always my dream. Once, I thought I didn’t have the dream of being known, of signing autographs, taking photos. And God granted me this honor. For me, there is no money in the world that can buy the affection and love that God has for us and our audience.
After some individual projects that did not achieve the expected success, you returned to Calcinha Preta. What motivated you to return to the band and what was that return like for you?
It’s true, we always want to have a dream, don’t we? A personal project to truly showcase our work, what we have always loved doing. I have always loved singing, I like to convey messages of love through music. I like to sing songs that speak sincerely to the heart. Not all projects always work out, but today I’m returning to Calcinha Preta too. What motivated me was really the song repertoire, the musical styles, because when you talk about Daniel Diau , you talk about Calcinha Preta. This is a brand, an identity, right? So, we are here today, together under the name Calcinha Preta, to continue transmitting love through music to you. This return has been very good, truly wonderful. And I am grateful for all the blessings that God has given us. Here it’s just gratitude.
In 2008, you temporarily took a break from music due to throat surgery. What was this recovery period like and how did it impact your career and personal life?
In fact, in 2008 I had a problem with my vocal cord, I ruptured a cyst and had to go through a process that lasted almost a year without being able to sing properly, without being able to do anything. It was a difficult and time-consuming period, but thank God, Jesus healed me. I believe that He has placed His hand in my life, because I have always said and continue to say that my voice is that of the Lord Jesus. It was He who gave it to me, so here nothing is ours, everything is his. In 2008, I left precisely because of this surgery that I needed to have. It wasn’t an operation on the vocal cord, because the vocal cord doesn’t operate like that, as my doctor said, I’m laughing, he just removed the cyst. I was in the process of taking some antibiotics, but I don’t think I needed to take many, because I know that what cured me wasn’t the medicine, my medicine was Jesus. I know that He is the God who heals, frees and saves. I cried at His feet and He gave me today’s victory, allowing me to sing twice as much as I imagined. This period of recovery had its impact, but believing in a God for whom nothing is impossible, a God who heals, really restored me. This I proclaim to the four corners of the world, because without Him we are nothing.
After your conversion to gospel, you recorded your first solo gospel album. How was this transition from secular music to gospel music and what was the message you wanted to convey with this work?
I was born into an evangelical cradle, my whole family is evangelical. My father was an evangelist. Thank God, my wife is also evangelical, we came together on the path of faith. Through her, I returned to the church after a period away. For me, the life of faith was a life of abundance, of feeling the presence of God, of trusting that He would never let us lack for anything. We go through difficult times, hardships, but what God has for us is bigger than all that. I make a point of recording several projects for the Lord, because I believe it is little compared to what He has done for us. My first album was a very meaningful experience. As for the secular, I don’t separate my faith from what I do today, as it is a work where I try to convey a message of love and show that God is real and capable of all things. I minister and win souls for Jesus even in a secular environment, talking about the love of Christ to people. I do not stop being evangelical, because being evangelical is not a matter of religion, but of faith in the word of God. I believe that what God has in store for our lives is much more than we can imagine, and I consider myself a Christian, believing in Christ, who died for all of us and is the son of God.
In 2016, you, together with Silvânia Aquino and Paulinha Abelha, announced the band project “Gigantes do Brasil”. How did this idea come about and what did you hope to achieve with this new project?
Yes, that’s right, the band Gigantes do Brasil was a transition from gospel to secular, after my period at the call center. The idea came from the project called Gigantes do Samba, combining the name with Gigantes do Brasil. The proposal was to show that only God is greater than us. We organized the entire structure of the band before it even existed, with a scheduled schedule and everything. When we got together at my house, we started planning the moves and shows, and demand was already high before we even started. It was a blessing to achieve our goal of bringing good and positive music to the public, regardless of age. The project lasted around 10 months, but faced administrative issues that led to its end. Now, we are together again, with Paulinha in her place, and the band continues with me and the support of many fans.
You returned to the band Calcinha Preta in 2018 after 10 years. What motivated you to return to the band and what has this new phase been like for you?
What motivated me to return to the band in 2018 was mainly the financial issue, you know? You have to work, don’t you? We cannot sit idle and waste our talents for 10 years. God gave us talent to multiply, right? So, that’s what we seek to do. I joined back in 2018 and have been here ever since. We are going through a very good phase, with a new timeless project. We’re rescuing songs that didn’t make it onto DVDs, they were just recorded, and now we’re including them in our shows and DVDs. It’s something that fills our eyes and satisfies us a lot. They are beautiful songs, with incredible melodies, and that is very gratifying for us.
Throughout your career, you have had different experiences and musical projects. What do you consider to be the most challenging and rewarding moments of your journey so far?
Yes, I really went through a lot of trouble with some businesspeople. And that was a big challenge, wasn’t it? Dealing with people who had no idea what they were doing, people who only saw me with the intention of receiving money and not investing in the project. This is a challenge for many, facing this, isn’t it? What was gratifying was returning to Calcinha Preta. So, my trajectory has always been at Calcinha Preta, since I left and today I’m back. Although there were many singers here trying to sing the songs I recorded at the time, there are many good singers who passed through here. Beck Rabello was also here at the time, that’s when the manager asked if we could bring him into the band to join me, because he sings very well. We brought him, and he stayed here for a while, that’s when I left and then came back. So, we went… When I lost my mother at the time, Beck was here holding the wave, and I spent some time a little distant, right? So, the project didn’t work out because of businesspeople. That’s what I say, there are many businesspeople who say they are one thing, but they are not, they are liars, they are wolves trying to take advantage of you to make money. They don’t aim for the project, they don’t aim to do something cool so that they can both benefit in the future. They only aim to receive the money, put it in their pocket and leave.
How do you see music and the music market evolving over the years, especially considering technological and social changes?
Since then, a lot has changed. Music evolved and became something disposable. Currently, an artist needs to release one song a month to maintain success, but that success only lasts for a short time, maybe a month, before they need something new. It has become very disposable. But despite this, we have a new generation of young, talented musicians who we respect and consider friends. They are evolving in their work and moments, which is gratifying to see. This new generation is committed and dedicated to music, which is admirable.
Taking into account technological and social changes, we are here watching and waiting to see what the future holds. There is a lot that can happen and many changes that are yet to come. You can be sure that the future of music will bring even more transformations.
Looking to the future, what are your plans and goals in music? Is there anything in particular you would like to accomplish or explore in the coming years?
Look, looking to the future, my plans and goals in music include the idea of stopping. I don’t intend to live my whole life singing. I believe there comes a time when we need to stop. I don’t want to be 60 years old and still on stage. I want to live my life in peace with my family. My true dream is to live outside Brazil, in the United States. This is, without a doubt, the biggest dream of my life. This is a more private part of my life that I’ve never shared with anyone, but I’m exposing it to you now. The realization of this dream will depend on what I decide to do, on what I will experience. I won’t forget music, because music is something that really moves me. It’s in the blood. So, I will never leave music, but being on tour, traveling, taking the road, flying up and down, I don’t want that life anymore. I want a more peaceful life with my wife, my family, walking around my house. My biggest dream is to live outside of Brazil, in the United States, and there, perhaps, sing for friends. If I’m going to a party, a birthday or something like that, I’ll sing, because I want to. And sing in my church, get even more involved in the gospel again, singing only for the Lord Jesus in my church. For now, I can’t sing, as I’m still in the secular world, but my pastors don’t see a problem, if I want to sing, I’ll sing, because it’s my choice within the gospel. And the love I have for my God? For everything He has done in my life. Just for putting a wonderful woman like her in my life, a family that I asked God for and He gave me, so just thank you. Gratitude is the word today and always. Kisses on the heart, thank you for your affection.
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