Portuguese fado singer Carminho's new EP Carminho at Electrical Audio, out now, was recorded in collaboration with the late Steve Albini at his iconic Electrical Audio studio in Chicago in October 2023. “Anyone who worked with Steve Albini knows of his humble authenticity and dedication towards perfecting raw sound," Carminho says. "He made the recordings sound as if we were performing in a fado house in Lisbon." A music video for “Deixei a minha casa” featuring Albini and Carminho together in the studio can be seen here. Carminho tours the US in November.
Carminho, the Portuguese fado singer and 2023 Latin Grammy nominee, digitally releases a new EP, Carminho at Electrical Audio, today on Nonesuch Records in the US. Recorded in collaboration with the late Steve Albini at his iconic Electrical Audio studio in Chicago, the four-song EP showcases the legendary producer’s dexterity in the studio and his distinctive style and vision, refreshing the rich heritage of Portuguese traditional music genre. The featured tracks are titled “Os Argonautus” (feat. Caetano Veloso), “Deixei a minha casa (Alexandrino da ponte),” “Gota de água,” and “Não olhes para os meus olhos (Fado da espera).” A music video for “Deixei a minha casa” featuring Albini and Carminho together in the studio can be seen here:
Following her featured performance in Yorgos Lanthimos’s Oscar-nominated film Poor Things, and the release of her album Portuguesa, Carminho embarked on a U.S. tour in the fall of 2023. On a day off in Chicago, she visited Albini’s Chicago studio. Carminho knew of Albini (who passed away suddenly in the spring of 2024) as the producer of many popular albums by artists like The Pixies, PJ Harvey, and Nirvana. But she did not know what her collaboration with him would bring.
“Anyone who had worked with Steve Albini knows of his humble authenticity and dedication towards perfecting raw sound, and he made the recordings sound as if we were performing in a fado house in Lisbon,” said Carminho. “Our creative process on this EP was one of true collaboration. Albini’s genius influence is inescapable. While the music industry has lost an incredible talent; in a way, he lives on in our songs.”
Carminho’s band joined her in the studio, and they spent the day working with Albini, with instruments including the mellotron, lap steel, and electric guitar, which she had added to the traditional Portuguese instruments in her previous album, Portuguesa, and has found to be very effective in her live fado performances. Albini proved to be a perfect producer for the music they recorded that day, exploring what Carminho calls the “punk side” of her multifaceted musical personality. His musical wizardry permeates the new album.
Carminho is one of the most influential Portuguese fado singers, recognized for her remarkable voice, talent, songwriting, and unwavering artistic dedication. Her childhood fado roots are reflected in her music, respecting the traditional language and the truth of the words of traditional fado and her original songwriting.
Carminho has performed alongside Coldplay at the band’s Lisbon concert, toured with Brazilian legend Caetano Veloso, and had the honor of performing her original composition “Estrela” for the Pope for Lisbon’s World Youth Day. Throughout her career, she has recorded with renowned artists including Milton Nascimento, Chico Buarque, Nana Caymmi, and Marisa Monte. Her song “O Quarto,” from the movie Poor Things was on former President Barack Obama’s 2024 summer songs playlist.
Carminho has toured extensively throughout Europe and Latin America, including a recent Brazil tour, along with concerts in the US and Canada. A US solo tour begins November 18 with a stop at NPR to record a Tiny Desk Concert, culminating November 24 with a performance at New York City’s iconic Town Hall. Details and tickets here.
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