Terry Gomes has been making waves for a few years now with diversified releases and this new single 'Tego Agogo' does not disappoint.
We caught up with Terry at his home in Canada and asked how the inspiration for ‘Tego Agogo” came about along with some of his previous releases:
“My sound comes from a hybridization of all of the influences mentioned above and more. For my guitar playing, I generally lean towards a “clean” sound. I am eclectic as I tend to get bored with one style of music. I write in a manner that suits a particular idea or concept, musical or otherwise. This requires altering the musical language I use to express it. For instrumental music, I tend to get “pictures” of things. These mental images lead the composition in the direction it wants to go. I’m just along for the ride. For music with lyrics, it’s whatever idea I find interesting or appealing. I tend to stay away from relationship songs. I think the world already has more than enough of those, so I look for something outside of the norm. Two songs on my upcoming EP called, “Tego Agogo” (dance satire/tribute) and “It Goes Like So” (a song about a song) are examples.”
“Tego Agogo”
Terry Gomes completed an Honours Music degree at the University of Ottawa, studying classical guitar and composition. He taught guitar for many years, played in several rock bands, and performed in a flute/classical guitar duo. Later on, he released three self-penned albums in singer-songwriter/pop/folk-rock genres. In 2013, his album SHH marked a major shift into intricate instrumental music with jazz leanings.
Subsequent projects including THE SAND IN MY SHOES, BLUE. GREEN. AQUAMARINE, THE TROPICAL DREAM and last year’s SOME CHUNES, found him exploring his roots from the Caribbean, South America and Latin America.
Gomes has had considerable airplay on CBC across Canada, has been in steady rotation on Stingray’s Smooth Jazz, Evanov Radio as well as JAZZ.FM91 and many others. He has had positive press in Exclaim!, Cashbox Canada, The Whole Note, The Daily Vault and FYI/Billboard to name a few. In 2025, he had two pieces “Someday Castaway” and “Eeza Gomes”, chosen for the City of Ottawa’s Music on Hold, City Sounds playlists and two city podcasts.
Asked about his musical background and his taste in music through the years Terry explained, “My parents were innately musical and loved music but never really played any instruments. My Dad dabbled at playing organ a bit later in life and both loved to sing. My family and extended family came from Guyana and music was often central to any gatherings. I also had an uncle that played guitar. So many artists and music inspired me at different stages of my life: My early childhood was music from the Caribbean, Latin and South America like Hugo Blanco, The Sandpebbles of Barbados, The Merrymen, and though he himself was not Latin, Herb Alpert. My adolescence was a very diverse mix including Alice Cooper (original band), Max Webster, Rush, Dire Straits, Led Zeppelin, Santana, George Benson, Steely Dan, The Beatles, Kate Bush, Gordon Lightfoot and so many more I could mention. As a young adult it was mainly classical music - 20th century orchestral composers such as Stravinsky, Bartok, Debussy and Ravel.With current music I find whatever grabs my attention is my go-to music.”
What do you feel your best accomplishment(s) have been to date and what are your super goals for the future?
Every release has been an accomplishment. At times I feel the years of my life are measured by them. My only real goals, super or otherwise, are to continue to follow my muse in whatever form it takes and hope that people are willing to give it a chance and listen. By being open to ideas and always thinking about what I will do next. I don’t find it hard to come up with ideas, at least not yet. It’s the development of those ideas into fruition that’s the challenge.”
Terry shared an insight in the ‘making of’ this new EP:
“I decided to switch gears with this EP and delve into more of a vintage rock sound funneled through my particular influences and approach to writing. Combining some vocal pieces and instrumentals, I wanted to capture some of the feel and energy of music from the 60s including surf, psychedelia and blues but still with some of my World influences.” The tracks also feature local Ottawa musicians Nick Dyson on trumpet, Alex Mastronardi on bass, and drummers/percussionists, Arien Villegas and Jeff Asselin. They were recorded and mixed by Ottawa Faces winner for Recording Engineer, Steve Foley.
Check out and listen on Bandcamp here: terrygomes.bandcamp.com/
What advice would you give up and coming artists trying to get it into the business?
“Learn music theory and study your craft from the best examples you can find. For me, this usually involves going back to the Great Composers. It doesn’t matter what type of music you play, there’s so much to learn and improve yourself with by studying the masters. However, I’m not saying it’s necessary to learn theory (there are many examples to the contrary), but it will likely put you ahead of those still “discovering” musical concepts that have already been established for centuries.”
With such a great new release what does the future hold for Terry Gomes?
“The beauty of creating your own music is
Creation – this is the BEST part of music for me
Realization (recording) – sometimes fun, often drudgery, but needs to be done
Visuals – how I can enhance my musical concept/recording using a visual medium
These are what I’m all about, and of course, the music itself."
For more about Terry Gomes visit:
WEBSITE terrygomes.com
YOUTUBE youtube.com/@Gomesongs
BANDCAMP terrygomes.bandcamp.com/
FACEBOOK: facebook.com/profile.php?id=100091429039087
X x.com/Gomesongs
