Gisela Joao

Description

It is singing, visceral, imperative, that brought Gisela João, born in Barcelos in northern Portugal, from Porto to Lisbon. In the deep solitude of a small house in Mouraria, she resists discouragement and perfects her art. Having set out to conquer the casas de fado, she fills the venues until they quickly sell out. Her first album was recorded in February 2013 in the Marquês de Pombal palace. The success is dazzling: two weeks after its release in June 2013, it takes first place in the Portuguese sales charts. Considered the most important debut album by a Portuguese female artist of the 21st century, Gisela João’s record is a landmark in the history of contemporary fado. Without detours or artifice, it combines authenticity, the original purity of fado with the contemporaneity of urban music. The singer lives this fado deeply, sometimes holding back her vocal power in a soft murmur only to release it at last in a passionate outburst. Intense, the artist delivers fervent, human music, filled with shivers. "Gisela João will be the greatest fadista of the 21st century. A miracle has happened: listen." Miguel Esteves Cardodo, In Público