Born and raised in Brazil, Poliana Magalhães, better known as “Pops Magellan,” gravitated toward the bass at a young age. By the time she first started playing at age nine, she was deeply immersed in the rich music of Brazil, later developing an infatuation with rock, funk, and grunge. When she turned 12, she joined her family’s event band and became well versed in all genres of music, given their long sets and extensive songbooks. She went on to land the bass chair for the Brazilian late-night TV show Adnight, and worked with many famous artists of the region like Anitta, Ivete Sangalo, Daniella Mercury, Ludmilla, Luiza Possi, and Emicida. After making the move to Portugal to further her playing, Pops decided to head out to Los Angeles in 2019, where she was met with an immediate demand. In a short span, she landed work with Adam Lambert, Willow, Avril Lavigne, Travis Barker, Larry Braggs (Tower Of Power and The Temptations), Beverley Knight, Naia Izumi, Nik West, Lari Basilio, Nona Hendryx, Ozomatli, and Moein. She recently got off of a tour with Artur Menezes in supporting Eric Gales and Kingfish, and now she’s gearing up to hit the road with Lambert and Menezes for a run of shows. But her main focus throughout all of her busy schedule is on her upcoming debut solo album, where she will show the world her own unique sound for the first time ever. We caught Pops as she was heading into one of these sessions to ask her our 10 Questions.

1. What music have you been listening to lately? 

My playlist is all over the place. From D’Angelo, SZA, Funkadelic, Sly & The Family Stone, Graham Central Station to Hiatus Kaiyote and Daft Punk.  I’ve been listening a lot to the album Wired by Jeff Beck and Ok Computer by Radiohead. Also, I just found out about a ’90s funk rock band from L.A. called Weapon Of Choice, formed by the bass player, Lonnie Marshall. It’s always changing, though. Sometimes I like to not listen to music at all for like a month.

2. What’s one element of your playing that you have been working on?

Developing my own voice. After so many years working as a touring and session bass player and constantly learning new setlists, I felt it was about time to work on my own music. I’ve been experimenting a lot lately with recording sounds, trying different tones, effects, basses, and collaborating with other artists. It’s been the most interesting phase for me.

3. What was the first concert you ever attended?

A Brazilian punk rock band called Raimundos when I was nine. I was a big fan of this band. My dad took me to the show, and I was probably the only kid there. I had green hair and used to skateboard.

4. What’s the best concert you’ve ever attended?

About ten years ago I saw The Wailers in Florianopolis, Brazil, and it was very special. I also saw Pearl Jam about five years ago in Lisbon, Portugal. It was absolutely insane.

5. If you could sub for any bass player in any band, who would it be? 

It’s so hard to pick one, but I can do four [laughs]. I would love to sub for Flea if he gives me a call one of these days. Bootsy playing for Parliament–Funkadelic, or James Jamerson playing classic Motown bass lines. Gail Ann Dorsey playing for Lenny Kravitz would be amazing, too — super edgy and very well stated, with driven bass lines.

6. What was your first bass?

It was a Brazilian 4-string Jazz Bass. It was the cheapest bass in the store that my dad could afford. It was also the lightest — I was only nine, and all basses were bigger than me.

7. What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given about playing bass? 

Someone once told me that the secret is in the notes you don’t play. As a good bass player, you should know that less is more.

8. What’s the most embarrassing thing that’s happened to you during a performance? 

I was playing with a corporate band back in Brazil and the shows were really long, around four and a half hours. I had to use the toilet really badly. I had a wireless unit and just took the bass with me to the restroom and kept playing while doing my thing. Thank God it was #1 [laughs].

9. What are four items that you absolutely need to have on the road with you? 

My Mono Ultra Vertigo Bag with wheels that makes my life so much easier; a bass — Jazz Bass or Precision Bass 4 or 5, depending on the gig; my pedalboard — I’ve been using my Line 6 HX Stomp box for most of the tours I’m doing, or a pedalboard with phase, overdrive, Fuzz, octave, and envelope filter; and two pairs of in-ears. Also, Air Tags in everything!

10. If you weren’t a musician, what would you be doing? 

I would probably be in fashion or visual arts. I make collages with photographs I shoot myself, including self-portraits. My studio is divided by music studio and atelier. The collages are a part of my creative process, where I unlock and complement ideas for my music. –BM

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