Toronto singer-songwriter Nelson Sobral has just released his latest single, “Built To Last” – a stirring roots-rock anthem about resilience, connection, and the bonds that endure. We caught up with Nelson to chat about the new music, his love of martial arts, and how he gauges personal success.

From The Strait: Tell us about the new single, “Built To Last”. 

Nelson Sobral: Lyrically, “Built To Last” speaks to relationships and moments that weather time and trial, urging listeners to hold tight to what matters. I wrote ‘Built To Last’ thinking about the rare connections that stand the test of time. It came together quickly, almost like it was waiting for me to catch up. I recorded it myself, and when Mattie mixed and produced it—with Tay’s harmonies lifting everything—it felt like the exact way it was meant to sound: warm, real, and lived-in.

From The Strait: What’s your favourite – and least favourite – thing about being a musician?

Nelson Sobral:  I love creating, recording, playing live…all of it really as long as i’m in the zone, when there’s distractions in any of those aspects it can be a bit of a drag…but, thats life! lol

From The Strait: What do your kids think about their dad being a musician, and do they have a favourite song of yours?

Nelson Sobral:  They enjoy it but it’s hard to tell what they really think as they’re only 2 & 4 years old. They recognize my voice when my music is playing in the house and they always used to sing along to the chorus of a song off my 1st album “The Light”

From The Strait: What are some of your non-musical hobbies?

Nelson Sobral:  Martial Arts. I’ve been training since I was a kid. Muay Thai & BJJ predominantly. I have a black belt in BJJ and i’ve had a bunch of pro MMA & kickboxing fights (and streetfights shhhh!) in my younger days. I now run my own gym called “Reign Martial Arts” (named after my first born) and I teach and train there 7 days a week.

From The Strait: How do you gauge personal success in music?

Nelson Sobral:  The goalposts have shifted throughout various phases in my life from wanting to be a rockstar, to wanting to be a guitarist in a touring band, gun for hire, songwriter for hire, etc.

The overarching theme that ran throughout for me was to be able to create my own music and play the way I wanted to play and to sound like me, which probably conflicted with some of the above goals! Lol.

Personal success is leaving a body of work that I’m proud of, that my kids can be proud of and let the chips fall where they may.

From The Strait: If you could play a show where the audience was filled solely with other bands & musicians, who would you want in attendance?

Nelson Sobral:  That sounds like a rough gig! I could rattle off a list but it would just be bands & musicians i love and not necessarily a receptive audience! I think I wouldn’t care as long as they genuinely wanted to be there…I mostly have my eyes closed when I’m playing/singing so I probably wouldn’t notice them anyways!

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Check out Nelson’s new single, “Built To Last”!

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Follow Nelson Sobral: Facebook / Instagram

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