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I love Joana Vasconcelos. Actually, I think everyone in Portugal loves Joana Vasconcelos. Beyond the “local girl done good” aspect, her work, in a country where high Art (with a capital A) is still rather snobbish, unattainable, and sometimes purposefully obscure, Vasconcelo’s art is, well, awesome. It’s big, and bold, and very very fun. She will use materials such as plastic cutlery (see above picture), pots and pans, lace, glass bottles, crochet and tampons and will create incredible work on a scale that takes your breath away. She shows everyone (and I’m looking at you, YBAs) that (very) good, strong art doesn’t have to be elitist and obscure. Some examples:
Contamination (2008)
Meeting Point (2000)
Carmen Miranda (2008) More works and information on her website. Have fun!
Manuel can be a pain. He usually is, actually. He’s one of those people who tend to provoke strong reactions in people, but who in turn are never boring, always on the go, always creative, immensely talented and, if you take the time to get to know, a very rewarding person to have as a friend. He’s one of the Furious Lovers behind the Amor Fúria label, and a singer/songwriter/musician both solo and with Os Golpes, whom we’ve featured here before. So, what have you been up to? Lately I’ve been busy with things pertaining to Amor Fúria – recording, album launches, shows, changes to the label’s catalogue, among many other things. The time between all these jobs is spent writing songs and planning big things. What’s been inspiring you lately? Pink Floyd in Pompeii and Portuguese translations of Bruce Springsteen lyrics.
What’s your favourite thing to do? Watching films at the cinema.
How do you usually spend your days? For better or worse my days are usually very different from each other – I might be running around all day or sitting down to create. The only sure thing is band practice with Os Golpes. What do you want to be when you grow up? Number 10
Who are your heroes? Father António Vieira, Saint Ignatius of Loyola, and Cosme Damião. Anything you’d like to add? Yes. Find him on: Amor Fúria, MySpace, Blog, Os Golpes.
Vanda here! You see, I love the music of the revolution so much that this week’s Music Monday comes with extras. The first one in particular I’ve been listening to obsessively for the past three days – have a listen:
Fausto – O barco vai de saída
Sérgio Godinho – Que Força é Essa (please excuse the video)
Simone de Oliveira – Desfolhada
José Afonso, also known as Zeca Afonso or Zeca, was one of the greatest protest singers and songwriters during the last years of the fascist regime that ruled Portugal from 1933 to 1974. Like most other protest singers his ideas were strongly rooted in communism and his songs spoke of resistance, brotherhood and the urge for freedom, usually through metaphors in an attempt to fool the censors. His songs have always been popular favourites and he has a special place in the hearts and minds of those who carry the flame of the revolution. He died at the age of 58 in 1987 but his legacy lives on. Every year on the 25th of April we celebrate the Revolution and his songs can be heard all over the country on radio stations, on TV and on the streets. For your listening pleasure, here is “Venham Mais Cinco”.
“The revolution was unusual in that the revolutionaries did not use direct violence to achieve their goals. Holding red carnations (cravos in Portuguese), many people joined revolutionary soldiers on the streets of Lisbon, in apparent joy and audible euphoria. It was the end of the Estado Novo, the longest authoritarian regime in Western Europe, and the final dissolution of the Portuguese Empire. In the aftermath of the revolution a new constitution was drafted, censorship was formally prohibited, free speech declared, political prisoners were released and the Portuguese overseas territories in Sub-Saharan Africa were immediately given their independence.”
Had a complicated couple of weeks, but I’m back! Oh PMA, I apologize for the neglect – there were orders to ship from one store, a new one to open, we had tourists in town last week, and we still have tourists in town this week because the poor loves are stranded due to volcano ash! Never you mind – there will be many new artists and products on the shop this week, and we’re resuming our usual posting schedule. See you on Wednesday!
 urban decay, etc. It’s time for some contemporary noise/prog-rock. Linda Martini don’t aim at a general audience. In fact, they seem to be very conscious of how narrow their niche is. They don’t make radio-friendly pop songs. Teenagers don’t sing along their chosuses while listening on their iPods on the street. But, if it’s music you like, you’ll be hypnotized. There were bands like Linda Martini before in the Portuguese scene. They’re part of a generation who grew up feeding on grunge, indie rock and hardcore and built their sound around whichever rock anti-gods they were most devoted to. But they have that spark. They sound smart and fresh. And they tamed their instruments so that they get exactly what they want out of them. On top of that, one can actually understand what they’re singing. But this music is not meant to be perfect, it’s not always in tune and it’s not even beautiful. Just give them a try. You won’t regret it. |
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