Kiko Loureiro: Why I Left Megadeth

Kiko Loureiro spent almost nine years as the guitarist of Megadeth — touring the world, winning a Grammy with Dystopia, and writing over 15 songs with Dave Mustaine. Then he walked away. In this conversation, recorded backstage during his European solo tour, Kiko talks openly about why he left Megadeth, what it was like having newborn twins while touring five months a year, and why freedom over his own schedule became non-negotiable. We go deep into his creative process: how he collects musical ideas like a sketchbook, why he believes the ultimate goal of any guitarist is to create their own music, and what Dave Mustaine taught him about composing with focus. He also shares the story of the school that called a psychologist on him for writing about metal festivals, what he learned from having dinner with Allan Holdsworth, and how Brazilian music quietly shaped everything he does. This isn't a gear talk. It's a conversation about life decisions, creativity, and what it costs to follow your own path. 🎸 Kiko Loureiro: @KikoLoureiro Kiko's Guitar Academy: https://kikoloureiro.com/guitaracademy/ ‪@Megadeth‬ Chapters: 0:00 - Intro: Meet Kiko Loureiro 0:43 - Touring Europe as a Solo Artist 1:40 - Why I Left Megadeth 2:38 - Having Twins While Touring the World 4:13 - Wanting Freedom Over Your Own Schedule 4:50 - The Struggle Every Musician Knows 5:31 - The Creative Mind Is Never Satisfied 7:42 - Turning Points in Life & Career 8:41 - Starting with Angra: The First Album 10:25 - Recording His First Solo Album 11:09 - Instrumental Music Is Like Abstract Art 11:49 - The School That Called a Psychologist 13:30 - Metal Shirts, Black Sabbath & Rock in Rio 15:18 - The First Guitar Teacher Who Changed Everything 17:34 - Discovering Metal in a Closed Country 19:20 - Hearing Yngwie for the First Time 20:17 - Discipline vs Talent: What Came First? 22:20 - Robert Fripp Exercises He Still Does Today 23:33 - The School With VHS Tapes & Guitar Magazines 25:22 - Wanting to Play vs Wanting to Be a Musician 28:14 - The Force of Wanting to Play 30:25 - Living in Finland as a Brazilian 32:30 - Teaching: More Than Just Guitar 35:00 - Dinner with Allan Holdsworth 37:22 - Brazilian Music: The Hidden Influence 39:25 - How Kiko Composes: The Full Process 42:31 - Overcoming the Fear of Releasing Your Music 44:40 - The Judge Hat: Do I Like It? 48:10 - What Dave Mustaine Taught Him About Composing 50:38 - Megadeth's Method: 50 Riffs Into 15 Songs 51:46 - Creativity vs Commercial Pressure 54:30 - Why Bands Are Worlds (And Solo Artists Are Free) 56:06 - Outro 👍 If this conversation resonated, like and subscribe, that really helps, thanks! #KikoLoureiro #Megadeth #GuitarInterview #GuitarPodcast #Angra #DaveMustaine #BrazilianGuitar #CreativeProcess #GuitarInspiration #InstrumentalGuitar Join this channel to get access to perks:    / @sixtyscalesandthetruth