A long-time fixture of both the American and Brazilian music scenes, either as collaborator with NY guitar legend Yonatan Gat, or as co-founder of São Paulo psych-funk combo Garotas Suecas, Sessa debuts his solo work for the first time in 2019. His songs are sung in Portuguese, with visceral, sexual lyrics in the vain of Caetano Veloso and melodic flourishes not unlike those of Jobim. However, the music gets a deliberate minimalist treatment rarely found in contemporary Brazilian music, more reminiscent of the understated directness of Leonard Cohen or Devendra Banhart’s early work. Sessa’s concerts are already stuff of legend in Brazil, as he takes the stage accompanied solely by female background vocalists and Afro-Brazilian percussion. While the songs often deal with subjects such as the sensual body in times of digital excess, the music points to new, more subtle directions for World pop in 2019 – a deep, minimalist, almost insinuated use of the endlessly rich textures and rhythms that defined the songwriting history of Brazil – one which Sessa now joins as one of the most promising new voices.
A rising star in today’s bubbling music scene in the state of Ceará, ILYA has debuted her 2018 solo project to critical acclaim with the independently produced album "Doces Naufrago." The song ‘Se Eu Saio e Você Dança’ gained rotation on French radio Nova, and in her short time career, she’s already had the oportunity to share the stage with respected Brazilian artits such as Bixiga 70 (at New Morning - Paris), Francisco El Hombre at Maloca Dragão Festival among others. ‘Doces Náufragos’ features both original compositions and those of her friends in the music scene. Her music incorporates elements of Brazilian popular culture and distorted electronics.
