Portugal: Kandia (Rock)

Location: Porto, Portugal (2007 - present);

Genre: Rock;

Current Line-up: Nya Cruz (vocals), André Cruz (guitars), Bernardo Lima (bass), Daniel Silva (drums);

"In November 2007, Nya and Andre decided to join forces on a project they would name Kandia – to obfuscate, to blind by light – while searching for a name that would represent their positive vibes about it. Influenced by progressive rock bands such as A Perfect Circle, Tool, Porcupine Tree, Pink Floyd, & metal giants such as Metallica & Pantera, the band was capable of finding a unique sound joining all these influences on their songs.

Only a few months after they started making their new songs, Kandia recorded two of them at home: “Grown Up” and a cover from the 80's hit “My Sharona”. Soon they were filled with requests on their Myspace page and decided it was time to get things done the right way.

The two members entered the studio on July 2008 to record their first EP – Light - with Daniel Cardoso (involved with bands like Heavenwood, Head Control System, Slamo, Why Angels Fall,  Ava Inferi, Painted Black, Anathema…) as producer. Daniel would also fill in the place of drummer in the band and record the piano tracks as well.

Light had excellent reviews and caught the attention of music fans of all places, the comments filled the pages and a set of gigs followed. But Nya and Andre had a full pocket of new songs and were already thinking about entering the studio again.

Though Light reflected their ambition of pursuing a unique sound, Kandia were not 100% fulfilled. They wanted to play more gigs and be able to play abroad. It was time to record a full length.

Into Your Hands from Inward Beauty|Outward Reflection (2010)

On May 2009, Kandia entered the studio to record their debut album - Inward Beauty|Outward Reflection. The album presents nine new songs and a remake from Rise - the song was chosen by Myspace friends to be re-recorded on the album.

On their debut album, despite all the difficulties that a self-made band may find, Kandia had one wish. Charon's frontman was invited to sing on Kandia's song Reflections and accepted the invitation. It was also a time of change for the band as Daniel Silva came to fill in the blank on drums.

Reflections from Inward Beauty|Outward Reflection (2010)

Inward Beauty|Outward Reflection caught the attention of BitOrg's CEO Masa Kishimoto & Kandia signed a deal for a Japanese edition released in January 2011."

(http://www.myspace.com/kandiamusic)

Discography:

2008 – Light (EP)

2010 - Reflections [Single Edition ]

2010 - Horn Up - Attack! Vol. I (Compilation)

2010 - Inward Beauty|Outward Reflection (Full-length)

You can find more information on their official website, and follow Kandia on Myspace, Twitter, Facebook and YouTube.

Portugal: Linda Martini (Rock)

Location: Lisboa, Portugal (2003 - present);

Genre: Post-rock;

Current Line-up: André Henriques (guitar, vocals), Pedro Geraldes (guitar), Cláudia Guerreiro (bass), Hélio Morais (drums);

Amor Combate from Olhos de Mongol (2006)

Linda Martini is a post-rock band formed in the suburbs of Lisbon, Portugal in 2003. The first demo was recorded between 2004 and 2005 and. In 2006, they release their first EP, along with their first album Olhos de Mongol. The name of the album means the Mongol look, an expression used by Henry Miller, in one of his novels, to describe the empathy between two strangers that happened to the band itself.

The Mongol look...

“There was something physical, or physiological, or physiognomical at least, which characterized all who belonged to this strange clan. What distinguished them from ‘the rest of humanity’ was the expression about the eyes. It was neither the color, shape or look of the eye; it was the way eyes were set off, or set in, the way they swam in their mysterious sockets.  Veiled ordinarily, in talk these veils peeled off, one after another, until one had the impression of peering into a deep black hole.

            Studying Claude, my gaze came to rest on the two black holes in the center of his eyes. They were fathomless. For a full minute or two not another word was exchanged. Neither of us felt embarrassed or uncomfortable. We simply stared at each other like two lizards. The Mongol look of mutual recognition.”

In Plexus by Henry Miller (1953)



Hélio Morais



Cláudia Guerreiro

Cronófago from Olhos de Mongol (2006)



Pedro Geraldes

In 2010, they released their second album - Casa Ocupada.

Cem Metros de Cereia from Casa Ocupada (2010)

André Henriques

On stage, besides the quality of their sound, Linda Martini show an incredible passion about what they are doing. It’s like an exploding star releasing so many energy, infecting everyone else around them! Highly recommendable!!!

Discography:

2006 – Linda Martini (EP)

2006 – Olhos de Mongol (CD)

2008 – Marsupial (EP)

2009 – Intervalo (EP)

2010 – Casa Ocupada (CD)

You can follow Linda Martini on Myspace, Twitter and Facebook.

Portugal: Ornatos Violeta (Rock)

Location: Porto, Portugal (1991 - 2002);

Genre: Alternative Rock;

Line-up: Manel Cruz (vocals), Nuno Prata (bass), Peixe (guitar), Kinörn (drums), Elísio Donas (Keyboard);

Ouvi Dizer from O Monstro Precisa de Amigos (1999) 

Ornatos Violeta were an influential Portuguese alternative rock group whose music was influenced by many different music genres like jazz and ska.

In spite of having only two albums on their discography, at the end of the 90’s, they quickly became a reference in Portuguese music scene.

The most successful part of their career lasted only three years, ending when its members split up.

Chaga from O Monstro Precisa de Ajuda (1999)

Nine years after the split, Ornatos Violeta continues to be a very famous band between Portuguese music fans.

Dia Mau from O Monstro Precisa de Ajuda (1999)

Discography:

1997 – Cão!

1999 – O Monstro Precisa de Amigos

Portugal: Os Pontos Negros (Rock)

Location: Queluz, Portugal (2005 - present)

Genres: indie rock, garage rock;

Current line-up: Jónatas Pires (vocals, guitar), David Pires (drums), Filipe Sousa (vocals, guitar) and Silas Ferreira (organ);

Conto de Fadas de Sintra a Lisboa from Magnifico Material Inútil (2008)

Once upon a time…

… “In the summer of 2005, 2 brothers got together to record a song for a compilation by Florcaveira. After that, Lipe joined the train to play some rock. With Tiago Guillul behind us, the band recorded a couple of songs, releasing a demo. Silas Ferreira hopped on the train this summer. Now we have released 4 more songs through Florcaveira with bands such as Lacraus, Velhas Glórias and Borboletas Borbulhas. After that, it’s only rock n’ roll.”

It’s a good mixing between electric guitars and the Portuguese traditional music.

Sub-zero from Pequeno-Almoço Continental (2010)

Discography:

2005 – Os Pontos Negros (EP)

2008 - Magnífico Material Inútil (CD)

2010 – Pequeno-Almoço Continental (CD)

You can find more information on their official website and follow them on Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, and YouTube.

Portugal: Sean Riley and The Slowriders

Location: Coimbra, Portugal (2006 - present);

Genres: Rock, Folk, Blues;

Current line-up: Afonso Rodrigues (voice, guitar, harmonica, organ), Filipe Costa (organ, piano, guitar, bass, drums, harmonica), Bruno Simões (bass, guitar, melodica) and Filipe Rocha (drums, upright bass, glockenspiel).

“An attic and a casual meeting! Four microphones echoing, among thousands of records all over the floor, an acoustic guitar, a voice and some scattered sounds. Friends getting together to celebrate the roots of music.” This is how the band starts describing themselves.

Afonso Rodrigues started writing songs under the name Sean Riley and, in 2006, after meeting Filipe Costa, Bruno Simões e Filipe Rocha at Rádio Universidade de Coimbra, they became Sean Riley and the Slowriders. One year later, their first record, Farewell, was out.

 

In early this year, they represented Portugal on Eurosonic Festival. And, in July, they opened the Super Bock Super Rock (a Portuguese summer festival).

The band is getting more and recognition among Portuguese music fans. Totally deserved for sure!!!

Discography:

2007 – Farewell

2009 – Only Time Will Tell

2011 – It’s Been A Long Night

You can find more information on their official website and follow them on Myspace, Twitter, Facebook and on YouTube.

Portugal: The Legendary Tiger Man (Rock)

Location: Coimbra, Portugal (2000 - present);

Genres: Rock, Blues Rock;

Current line-up: Paulo Furtado;

The Legendary Tiger Man is the artistic name of Paulo Furtado, a blues musician. It’s a “one-man band”, with Furtado being responsible for vocals, guitar, harmonica and drums.

Paulo Furtado follows the “Mississippi’s old Blues tradition” and the “blues-man who played alone with improvised rhythm sections in dance-halls in the Deep South”. He’s one of the very best (personally, would say “the best”) blues musician that we have in Portugal.

The one-man band had already toured in Portugal, Spain, France, Belgium and Japan.

 

Discography:

2002 - Naked Blues

2003 - Fuck Christmas, I Got The Blues

2004 - In Cold Blood

2006 - Masquerade

2009 - Femina

You can follow him on his Myspace, Facebook and Twitter.