Multi-instrumentalists Vasco Ribeiro Casais and Joana Negrão, former members of influential Portuguese world music band Dazkarieh, formed Seiva in 2014. The goal is to perform music based on the Portuguese oral tradition, primarily from the Beira-Baixia region in eastern Portugal.
Percussion plays a crucial role in Seiva’s music. They use square frame drums (adufes) and tambourines, along with traditional string and wind instruments.
Seiva’s debut album, the self-titled Seiva, was well received in Portugal and chosen as “Album of the week” by the German National Radio SWR2. It featured a mix of traditional and original songs.
The line-up includes Joana Negrão: vocals, Portuguese bagpipes, adufe, tambourine; Vasco Ribeiro Casais: viola Braguesa, cavaquinho, Portuguese bagpipes, adufe; and Rita Nóvoa on Portuguese drums.
[headline image: Seiva – Photo by Rita Carmo]
Discography:
Seiva (2015)
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.