9 Brazilian Songs From 2014 That Will Grab Your Attention

Luiz Gabriel Lopes is the guitarist and lead singer of Graveola and TiãoDuá, two of Brazil’s most exciting bands and cornerstones of the music scene in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, which is where Luiz currently lives. He has picked nine songs that were released in Brazil in 2014, all of which he advises you to “listen to carefully”. If you wanted confirmation that 2014 was a great year for Brazilian music, then listen on and you will soon be convinced!

Pedro Carneiro (RJ) “Sassá”

Pedro Carneiro is an amazing singer songwriter from Rio de Janeiro, and he makes part of experimental freak progressive band Dos Cafundós. He is now working on his first solo album, in which he writes about existential themes with a silky sense of humour sense and a punk/avant-garde songwriting style.

Dom Pepo (MG) “Cabelo”

Dom Pepo are one of the most interesting new bands from Belo Horizonte: seven young musicians around 20 years old whose charismatic live performances have been seducing lots of new fans in the city. I had the pleasure to produce their first homemade record, an EP. This is a very special track, a eulogy to afro-Brazilian beauty.

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Jam da Silva (PE) “Haru”

Jam da Silva is a multi-instrumentalist from Recife, Pernambuco, who has been playing percussion with lots of significant Brazilian artists and since 2009 has been developing a very interesting solo work as a singer-songwriter. “Haru” is off Nord, an album produced in partnership with musicians from Iceland, creating a singular mix of electronic and organic elements.

Juçara Marçal (SP) “A Velha da Capa Preta”

Juçara seems to be moving – happily! – towards a “hors concours” position in latest Brazilian music. For me she combines some very special characteristics for an interpreter: personal expression without excess but with true energy. This track is a song written by Siba, and is part of her last release, Encarnado, which has been produced with a praiseworthy noise guitar approach by Kiko Dinucci and Rodrigo Campos.

O Terno (SP) “Ai Ai Como Eu Me Iludo”

O Terno (pictured above) are an amazing Brazilian rock’n’roll power-trio based in São Paulo. Martim, Guilherme and Victor are around 20 year´s old. Their live performances are deeply marked with their strength and energy on stage. Their second album is a trip into vintage tones in a 70’s-inspired atmosphere. Very nice indeed.

Alexandre Andrés (MG) “Olhe Bem As Montanhas”

Alexandre is an awesome songwriter and flutist who lives in Belo Horizonte. This is his third release, in which he experiments recording completely live with his band, to get lots of his live-energy into the album. Mixing instrumental themes and songs, Alexandre’s music is something for exigent ears. For my taste, it always brings the most positive vibrations. This track is an instrumental theme which gives name to his last album: “look carefully at the hills”.

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Tiganá Santana (BA) “Congo Angola Bahia”

Tiganá is a singer-songwriter from Salvador, Bahia, who recently has been developing a very special work writing songs in African dialects like Kimbundo and Kikongo, in search of his African roots. He plays a 5-string guitar with a different tuning and his lyrics are deeply mystical related to the Afro-Brazilian religion of candomblé. He sings about universal things, who we are and where we come from. This song will be on his next album.

Thiakov (MG) “Impressões”

Thiakov is a singer-songwriter and musical producer based in Belo Horizonte, who´s been a key figure behind the recordings of many bands and artists in town (he mixed Graveola´s last release, Dois e Meio). In his last solo-experience, Impressões, he travels beyond electronic urban grooves and jazzy vibes, creating a very interesting soundscape with guitars, keyboards and beats. This is the first track of this album, which gives a nice synthesis of the record.

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Karol Conka (PR) “Corre Corre Erê”