Biography

1983 - 1989: Early Years in Brazil
0 to 6

Thiago Campos was born on July 18, 1983, in Brasília, Brazil, into a family deeply immersed in both medicine and music. Thiago was presented by his mom with Michael Jackson's Thriller album when he was just 3 months old, and was happy to dance to it. His parents, both medical doctors, fostered a lively home environment filled with live music. His father, a General and Thoracic Surgeon, and his mother, an Intensive Care Neonatologist, were part of a group of talented hobby musicians called "Barixoon." This group would regularly gather for huge jam sessions, playing and singing at home parties, bars, and restaurants. These events featured acoustic guitars, bandolim, cavaquinho, bass, and various Brazilian percussion instruments like surdo, pandeiro, ganzá, and tamborim. Though the jams were mostly MPB (Popular Brazilian Music) like Samba, Bossa, Chorinho, and Baião, at home his parents also listened to pop and rock music.

From an early age, Thiago and his brother were immersed in this culture, often falling asleep in cars after hours of live music. Seeing the instruments laid out in open cases, Thiago was always curious, eager to pick them up and learn more. His father was one of the key figures in the group, playing pandeiro and singing, while his mother also sang and played ganzá. This environment was foundational in shaping his musical instincts.

1989 - 1995: Canada, Violin, and the First Guitar
6 to 12

In 1989, Thiago’s family relocated to Toronto, Canada, due to his parents' post-graduate studies in medicine. His father pursued a Master’s and PhD at the University of Toronto, while his mother conducted research at the Hospital for Sick Children. During his elementary school years in Toronto, Thiago was introduced to formal music education, learning to play the violin and cello in the school orchestra.

Music at home was always present. His parents listened to a wide variety of pop and rock artists, including Elton John, Celine Dion, Bryan Adams, Michael Bolton, and Stevie Wonder, alongside classical music, particularly Beethoven’s 6th Symphony and Vivaldi’s works. Movies also played a huge role in Thiago's upbringing. His family watched an enormous number of films, both on the big screen and through Blockbuster rentals. Movie soundtracks had a lasting impact on him, especially the Disney films of the era and the works of Bernard Herrmann, Hans Zimmer, Ennio Morricone, John Williams, and James Horner.

Additionally, Thiago and his brother were heavily into gaming, both on PC and consoles, owning every major Nintendo and Sega console of the time. His early exposure to computers and technology took shape in Canada, and by 1996, at just 13 years old, he wrote his first mIRC script, marking his early dive into coding and tech. Other artforms were also very much appreciated. Thiago was an excellent drawer and painter from an early age, and loved to draw human caricatures (his father being a frequent victim), and Marvel Comics characters.

While he developed an appreciation for classical music, his real passion for playing music came when he received his first guitar—a red Fender Squier—just before his 11th birthday. The inspiration came from an episode of The Simpsons, where Bart Simpson plays a red guitar, sparking Thiago’s excitement to pick up the instrument. This marked the beginning of his transition toward rock and progressive music.

1995 - 2003: Early Musical Foundations
12 to 19

Returning to Brazil in his early teens, Thiago studied at Colégio Dom Bosco, where he and his brother actively participated in the Fest Bosco music festival, winning 2nd place while in 7th grade and 3rd place while in 8th grade, while Felipe, being two years younger, won while in 5th and 6th grades, respectively.

Around this time, Thiago formed his first band with his brother Felipe Campos and their friend/cousin Cassiano Cordeiro, who was one year older than Thiago and three years older than Felipe. Their father, a strong supporter of their musical journey, gifted Cassiano a Pearl drum kit to help him start as a drummer. Though they weren’t performing in pubs, they rehearsed extensively in practice studios and garages, with Thiago handling vocals "temporarily." The band’s early repertoire included Mamonas Assassinas, Bryan Adams, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Aerosmith.

Thiago's first band. (Thiago, Felipe, Cassiano)

At 17, Thiago began formal guitar lessons with Mauricio Lavenère, which helped him refine his technique. At the end of one lesson, just as he was about to leave, Mauricio said, "Check this out," and played Overture 1928 from Dream Theater’s Scenes from a Memory album. Thiago was mesmerized, and this moment became his gateway into Dream Theater, particularly the playing style of John Petrucci, which became his biggest influence and source of inspiration.

This led him to dive deep into progressive metal and technical guitar playing. Around this time, he also participated in the 2003 Songwriting Contest held by Mike Portnoy on the Dream Theater forums. The contest provided fans with time signatures and arrangement charts for an unreleased song of their upcoming Train of Thought album, challenging them to write their own music. As a relatively new Dream Theater fan, Thiago took part by composing a song titled “Start of Creation” to match the acronym SoC from Stream of Consciousness. It was his first attempt at writing a structured song in that style, and through it, he was introduced to DAWs, MIDI programming, and home recording—an experience that would later prove invaluable. Thiago wrote the song while César Zolhof handled keyboard and drum programming, and Felipe Campos recorded bass, making it a full collaborative effort.

2003 - 2007: US Experience, Ordem Inversa, and Expansion into Production
19 to 23

Before enrolling in Architecture, Thiago initially spent a year studying Computer Science at the Universidade Católica de Brasilia (UCB). In 2003, he was accepted into the University of Brasília (UnB) for the Architecture and Urbanism program. Once in the course, he naturally gravitated toward the computer graphics and visual design aspects of the field.

In 2006, Thiago took a break from university and moved to the United States for five months, working at Mohegan Sun Casino in Connecticut as part of an international student program. During this period, he used his earnings to invest heavily in music equipment, including Music Man guitars, Mesa Boogie amplifiers and cabinets, FX racks, and cables. He had previously acquired his first Music Man JP7 (Lava Pearl, 7-string) in 2005, and during his US trip, he purchased his JP6 (Mystic Dream, 6-string) alongside his now-defunct TC Electronic G-Force and other professional gear.

Thiago Campos and Pete DuBaldo from DuBaldo Music, Connecticut, 2007.

This period marked a turning point in his musical journey, as he returned to Brazil in 2007 with high-quality equipment that directly fueled his ability to launch Bad Salad with his brother Felipe and drummer Caco Gonçalves.

During this same time, Thiago also co-founded Ordem Inversa, an alternative rock band featuring Felipe Campos on bass, Caco Gonçalves on drums, and Alex Burton on vocals. The band had a more alternative rock sound compared to his later progressive metal work. In 2007, Ordem Inversa participated in FINCA (Festival Interno de Música da UnB), securing 3rd place. They recorded and released a 6-track EP in 2009, titled "Satisfação" (available on Spotify) which was Thiago's first experience in professional recording and production.

It was during the mixing stage of the Ordem Inversa EP that Thiago became dissatisfied with the final product from a hired mixer. This frustration led him to take over the mixing process himself, marking the beginning of his journey as a mixing engineer. Through trial and error, he refined his skills, an experience that later influenced his work on the VRA Split-Screen Covers and other professional projects.

As a result of his growing musical commitments, including active participation in bands, live performances, and production work, his graduation from UnB was delayed, and he ultimately completed his Architecture degree in 2011.

2007 - 2014: Bad Salad, Progressive Nation at Sea, and VRA Split-Screen Covers

23 to 30

In 2007, Thiago co-founded Bad Salad, a progressive metal band that quickly gained recognition. The band first gained widespread attention with the release of the singles Crowded Sky (2010) and Nemesis (2011) on the SignMeTo platform by Roadrunner Records, an online platform for unsigned bands. Both tracks dominated the #1 spot on daily, weekly, and all-time charts while the platform was active.

Bad Salad - Crowded Sky (Vocal Tryout Video)

Thiago and Felipe playing "Nemesis" (2009)

Thiago Campos, Denis Oliveira, César Zolhof.

Bad Salad writing sessions for Uncivilized

Initially, "Crowded Sky" was released as an instrumental to promote a vocalist tryout, leading to the selection of Denis Oliveira as the band's singer. With Denis, the band re-recorded Crowded Sky (2010) with vocals, followed by Nemesis (2011) and the full-length album Uncivilized (2012). [Available on Bandcamp and Spotify]

To promote Uncivilized, Bad Salad embarked on a Brazilian tour in July/August 2012, playing in São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Brasília, and Goiânia. Keyboardist Junghwan Kim traveled from South Korea for the tour, transcribing, programming sounds, and practicing the extremely complex material in a very short time. Though César Zolhof recorded the keyboards for Uncivilized, he never performed live with the band, as he left before the album's release.

In 2013, Bad Salad successfully launched a crowdfunding campaign through PledgeMusic, raising over $10,000 to fund their follow-up EP Puzzled (2013). [Available on Bandcamp and Spotify]

A significant milestone for the band came in 2014, when Bad Salad was selected from over 180 bands to perform at Progressive Nation at Sea, a four-day progressive rock and metal cruise festival curated by Mike Portnoy (Dream Theater). The event featured some of the biggest names in progressive music, including Transatlantic, Devin Townsend, Animals as Leaders, Haken, The Dear Hunter, and more. Sharing the stage with these acts cemented Bad Salad’s reputation within the progressive metal community and was a defining moment for Thiago and the band.

Bad Salad - Progressive Nation at Sea (2014)

During this same period, 2009, Thiago also started the VRA Split-Screen Covers ("VRA!" pronounced as "vrah", an onomatopoeia, not an acronym), an ambitious project covering Dream Theater songs with multi-instrumental performances. The project quickly gained popularity, featuring international collaborations with musicians from around the world. Over the years, VRA Split-Screen Covers amassed tens of millions of views on YouTube, making it one of the most recognized Dream Theater cover initiatives online. Its meticulously produced videos, faithful recreations, and high-level musicianship attracted a dedicated following and cemented its reputation as a premier tribute to progressive metal.

From 2012 to 2017, Thiago and his team performed live Dream Theater cover concerts under the VRA Dream Theater Cover name, featuring both Denis Oliveira and Rod Calcagno on vocals, Paulinho on drums, Felipe Campos on bass, and Junghwan Kim on keyboards. These performances became a major highlight, drawing enthusiastic audiences. The project has an official website at dreamtheatercover.com, with a collection of the Split-Screen Covers videos released over the years, fan-made videos from these live presentations, and information about the various international collaborators.

Thiago Campos (Guitar) and Felipe Campos (Bass)

2014 - 2020: Event Production and Live Performances
30 to 36

Following the hiatus of Bad Salad in 2014, Thiago shifted his focus toward the local music scene, playing guitar and providing backing vocals for cover bands performing rock classics from Bon Jovi, Aerosmith, Muse, Queen, Metallica, and more. Over time, his role evolved beyond being just a performer—he became heavily involved in event production. By 2017, he was not only playing in bands but also organizing, producing, and promoting his own shows. He managed booking, marketing, branding, and logistics, successfully running thematic events, tribute nights, and large-scale rock festivals in Brasília. His knack for event planning and audience engagement helped him build a strong reputation in the local scene.

During this time, he also expanded his skills in video production, marketing, and social media strategy, further preparing him for the digital transition that would soon follow. By this point, he was making more money as a producer and promoter than as a musician, fully embracing the business side of entertainment while still maintaining his passion for live performance.

This continued until the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, which forced the shutdown of live events, ending his primary source of income.

2020 - 2023: Digital Transition and Online Courses

36 to 39

With live music on hold, Thiago fully transitioned to the digital world. He had been interested in digital marketing for some time and used the pandemic as an opportunity to build an online business, launching his first online course in December 2020. Initially titled "4 Solos até o Natal", the course focused on teaching four John Petrucci solos in four weeks. Due to its success, Thiago expanded it into Solos do Mestre, a comprehensive platform that evolved to include 40 guitar solos and unisons, attracting students from 26 countries. This shift marked the beginning of his transition into a full-fledged online educator and content creator, merging his expertise in guitar, production, and digital marketing to build a strong educational brand.

4 Solos até o Natal (First Online Course)

Solos do Mestre (John Petrucci Solos Course)

Even after the pandemic, Thiago continued focusing on digital music education rather than returning to full-time live performance. He restructured his online teaching business into a subscription platform called VRA Music Lab, which includes Solos do Mestre (still available as a lifetime access option for those who prefer one-time purchases — solosdomestre.com/petrucci), and expanded to offer courses on riffs (for guitar, bass, and keyboards), exclusive tabs and videos from Bad Salad and Tryptamax, and interactive content from VRA Split-Screen Covers, as well as production lessons. Additionally, the platform serves as a hub for students and musicians to engage in interactive lessons, community-driven projects, and exclusive content related to his various musical endeavors. By integrating his extensive experience in performance, production, and education, VRA Music Lab (vramusiclab.com) has become a comprehensive resource for aspiring and experienced musicians alike.

2023 - Today: TRYPTAMAX, Progified, and VRA Music Lab
39 to 41

By 2023, Thiago had stepped away from the local cover band scene and live event production to fully focus on his online projects and original music. On his 40th birthday, July 18, 2023, he debuted his new progressive metal project, TRYPTAMAX (tryptamax.com), with the release of the single "The Empty" [Available on Bandcamp and Spotify]. This track marked a new chapter, with Thiago taking on composition, performance, production, mixing, and mastering duties. The music video for 'The Empty' was a major undertaking, serving as both a passion project and a statement of artistic direction.

[Watch on YouTube]

[Available on Bandcamp and Spotify]

The project represents a culmination of his progressive metal influences and his vision for an ambitious, cinematic, and thematically rich musical experience. With a blend of intricate guitar work, deep lyrical storytelling, and high production value, TRYPTAMAX stands as a deeply personal yet expansive musical endeavor.

While primarily a solo effort, TRYPTAMAX features key collaborations, including vocalist Will Shaw, a familiar name to followers of VRA Split-Screen Covers. Will was the singer on the project's most popular Dream Theater cover to date, "Metropolis Part 1", from the 1992 album Images and Words. His powerful vocal range and versatility bring an added dimension to the project’s evolving sounds. Paulinho (Drums), also featured on the legendary "Metropolis Part 1" Split-Screen Cover, makes an appearance on the Official Music Video for "The Empty".

Another endeavor worth mentioning is Progified, Thiago's progressive rock project with Rod Calcagno. In 2015 they had written and recorded the single "Why", along with keyboardist Junghwan Kim and Felipe Campos on bass, and in 2025 the duo reunited to arrange and release a reimagined cover of John Petrucci’s "Jaws of Life", for acoustic and electric guitars. The release is available on all major platforms and will receive an animated music video soon.

[Available on Bandcamp and Spotify]

[Available on Bandcamp and Spotify]

VRA Split-Screen Covers remains active, with the most recent release being a cover of "Night Terror" [Watch on YouTube] from Dream Theater’s latest album, Parasomnia. However, Thiago’s main focus in 2025 is finalizing the first full-length TRYPTAMAX album, shifting his energy toward composing and recording while still keeping the VRA community engaged.

[Night Terror - Guitar Playthrough - Watch on YouTube]

Looking Ahead

Thiago Campos’ journey has been one of constant evolution—from a classically trained child musician in Canada, to a progressive metal guitarist, mixer, producer, teacher, and entrepreneur. As he moves forward with TRYPTAMAX, VRA Music Lab, and his various creative projects, his focus remains on pushing musical boundaries while engaging with a dedicated global fanbase.

Favorite Guitarists

John Petrucci, Paul Gilbert, Andy Timmons, Guthrie Govan, Steve Morse, Joe Perry, Richie Sambora, and Brian May, the latter three playing a significant role due to his extensive experience performing rock covers.

1983-1989

1989-1995

1995-2003

2003-2007

2007-2014

2014-2020

2020-2023

2023-2025

Biography

1989 - 1995: Canada, Violin, and the First Guitar​ 6 to 12

2003 - 2007: US Experience, Ordem Inversa, and ​Expansion into Production 19 to 23

2014 - 2020: Event Production and Live Performances​ 30 to 36

​​​​​​​​​​​​​2023 - Today: TRYPTAMAX, Progified, and VRA Music Lab​​ 39 to 41

1989 - 1995: Canada, Violin, and the First Guitar
6 to 12

2003 - 2007: US Experience, Ordem Inversa, and Expansion into Production
19 to 23

2014 - 2020: Event Production and Live Performances
30 to 36

2023 - Today: TRYPTAMAX, Progified, and VRA Music Lab
39 to 41