Band Dona Zaira in Tour Europe 2014 – Performances in London and in Oxford.

26 Apr, 2014

Band DonaZaira consists of Beibi (drumsand vocals), Diego (triangle), Matheus (bass), Rafinha (cavaco) and Andre (accordion) inaugurates a new phase with the launch of their 3 ^rd album #AntenaseRaízes. With music production signed by Duani Martins, the new album, with 12tracks, shows the essence of this quintet that has heads on the sky but never forgetting their roots. They make a new interpretation ofa very traditional style, Forró, in the era of digital music. To celebrate #AntenaseRaízes, the band will tour with 09 concerts in 06 European countries between April and May. On Thursday, May 1 ^st , the arrive in London to play stir up Forró do Galpão . On the same day, theyare the main attractionin the traditional ForróFamily . Asif not enough, on Saturday, May 3 ^rd and May 5ththey will play for the students of University of Oxford.

TOUR 2014

London
May 1st 2014, starting 19h @ Forró do Galpão – 15 Hanbury Street, E1 6QR London – England – £5
May 3rd 2014, starting 20h @ Forró Family – 24 Exmouth Market – Farringdon – EC1R 4QE London – England, £5 May 5th 2014, starting 21h “Oxford – 119 Walton Street, 0X2 6AH Oxford -  FREE 

+ Album Antenas e Raízes

The 12 tracks on the new album from Dona Zaira just hit the streets. With music production signed by Duani Martins, the album #AntenaseRaízes is an invitation to experience dance outside the ballrooms, with a different perspective. Electronic music, carimbó, cumbia, rock’n’roll, jazz, mpb, tropicalism, hip hop, catira, maracatu and coco are some rhythms thatintegratenew themes andunusual arrangements for Dona Zaira’s music creations.

The album comes to throw open the mixture that has always guided the work of the group since its foundations. However, it has been a challenge for the band to make this modern version of such a traditional rhythm, and they love to play this game. The daily struggle to pursuit our dreams is presented in “ Antenas ” (Antennas), a song with a hint of afoxé (rhythm from Bahia), that opens the album, with the phrase “ Chão bem firmado no pé, céu não limita a fé, não ” (my feet stand on the ground/ but the sky the limit” – which means that we can’t forget about our dreams, even when we are realistic sometimes). Another song “ Terno e Gravata ” (Suit and Tie) has tastes of the rhythm carimbó, which is a tribute to the culture of the state of Para (north of Brazil). The song “ Raízes ” (Roots), has influences of Hermeto Pascoal and Dominguinhos, and discusses the discipline and focus needed to get where we want, stating that not everything is easy, but rewards for hardwork are wonderful. The single “ Tom de Alegria ” (Tune of Joy) was released last month, and is already on everyone’s playlist. After all, who doesn’t have a story of missing a lost love? “ Amanhã é Depois ” (tomorrow comes after) follows the line of love songs, and it talksabout a mutual surrender between two people, and the importance of communication and self-respect in a relationship. Forró seasoned with Los Hermanos , “ Não Demore ” (Don’t take long) was written by Beibi and Duani, and it’s about a love that almost failed, but instead, came back strengthened by distance.

Unusual themes for forró are presented in “ Sexo ” (Sex), a track that discusses the subject with humor and finesse, playing with words in a very interesting way. “ Forró em Brasilia ” (Forro in Brasilia – the capital of Brazil) shows indignation over corruption in politics, and brings awareness to the public. “O mundo é osso” (the world is tough) explains that it is better to run away from bad-natured people, the ones that forget about the bright side of life. This song says: if you only see the bad side of life, your world is tough. But I’m positive, so the best of life will come to me! The track “ Ver o peso ” was recorded on the eponymous famous market in Belém do Pará, while “ Catira ” is a typical folk dance from Sao Paulo, known by the beat of the feet and hands of the dancers. “ Coco Caipira ” (Redneck coco) closes #AntenaseRaízes, making a reference to the beloved land where the group came from: Piracicaba. It marks a contrasting idea for the album, which shows many faces of brazilian music, and includes the roots of our music within the modern global city. “ Our influences are diverse, all come from different schools of music (classical, contemporary, etc). But together, we share a taste for Forró. We have members who listen to rock’n’roll ,samba, mpb, choro, soul music, jazz, among so many other styles. With this rich background,we inserted lots of information into our music, and into theprocess of producing this album. We used to say that we’ve always had our feet in Brazil, while our minds traveled the world through music. Lately, we have actually been travelling the world! That makes us really proud! ” Dona Zaíra. The album booklet was done by illustrator Tom Simone , and shows how tradition blends with the modern new works of the group. The cover shows an astronautthat is also a cangaceiro (brazilian northeastern cowboy, and a bit of an outlaw), floating between a tree, an accordion, and other objects.Several hidden messages about pop culture are in the cover, and in the included poster, with individual referencesof each group member. The art is just the final touch of such a carefully done work of art.

Check out the new album or download #AntenaseRaízes at

VIDEO

+ Dona Zaíra

On the road for 8 years, the band formed by twin brothers Matheus and Andre, friends Diego and Rafinha, with the finishing touch ofthe voice of Rafael Beibe. Working hard to make authentic brazilian Forro with tastes of samba, choro, maracatu and jazz, but without losing the feeling of the typical Brazilian Northeastern rhythm, quintet Dona Zaira has become a public success with the song “ Esconde o Lampiao ” , launched in 2008 along with the first album “ Forro de Dona Zaira ” . 2012 was the year of “ Tome Forro ” . The second album came with a web-series of   , written and directed by Paul Domingos and Pexera Filmes . This album also featured the master Hermeto Pascoal , playing along with Rafael Barros in the song . Among other especial guests areEnok (Virgulino Trio) in “Desilusão ” , and the amazing Dominguinhos in the song . After showing their talent with a first tour in Europe last year, they also showed their civil awareness with a single of protest, , that talks about corruption and other issues in the Brazilian Parlament. This song also has video that can be watched for free on youtube. Now came the time of ! The third album shows the band’s progress within 8 years of hard work, which is always connected to their roots and never disconnected from the contemporary world.