“Do=s” is presented this Friday, March 24, at 21 pm, at Teatro das Figuras, in Faro, and marks the beginning of concerts to present Diogo Piçarra's new work, which will only end at the Coliseus at the end of the year.
The choice of the hometown for the release of the second album was intentional, since, in the first one, the musician did not have this option.
«I was very sorry for not being able to present my first work, when I was going to establish myself as an artist of originals, after so many years of playing in Faro, after people support me in the program or in bars. That's why, this year, on the second album, he said: “it can only be in Faro, it can't be anywhere else” and I chose my city. I was happy to have got a date and to have sold out Teatro das Figuras, which is not easy» confesses Diogo Piçarra to Musical|Sul Informação.
This is a special concert and it marks the start of a new era. After “Espelho”, released in 2015, and many stages covered, it was time to give a new face to the live sessions. “The concert will be different from the first album, mainly in terms of visuals. I bet on innovation in the show. Now there was time to prepare the video, the lights, it's more complete. With two discs it's easier to make a more dynamic show. I hope people like this new live approach, a little more adventurous, a little more tweaked, I hope Teatro das Figuras doesn't come down" jokes the musician.
The themes that became known in 2016 show that Diogo Piçarra is exploring other musical paths. "Dialect” gave the first impression, “History” reinforced the idea and “We no longer speak”, released this Monday – and with 140 views in just two days – was the confirmation: the new work clearly brings a change in sound.
“For me it's a normal evolution, thanks to exposure to other musical styles. During the two years of the “Espelho” tour, I heard a lot of music and all those influences are part of this record. Thanks to that, my way of playing and singing has also changed. It is for me a natural evolution and not a radical change», says the artist from Farense.
If fans question what may have happened or what new Diogo is this, the musician clarifies: «Diogo Piçarra is still there, it's the same, the lyrics are still romantic, what has changed, was the sound, the production and maybe my way of singing, but the rest is all the same. Two years ago I didn't think I would be able to make this type of music, I was looking for this for my concert and I finally managed to complete it with this type of songs and these new sounds», he considers.
One of the particularities that can help to understand the differences between the two albums is the amount of producers involved: only one in “Espelho”, in contrast to the six involved in “Do=s”. In common, they have the composition process that they kept.
«I'm the one who makes the record by myself, in my room, on my laptop, as I was producing 10 years ago and I hope to continue like this. I'm not a big fan of studios, nor do I feel very comfortable. It's almost unnatural, it's all very cold and very formal, it's time trial, and making time-trial music doesn't exist for me. I want to be up until six in the morning looking for a verse or the sound of a snare drum or a bass drum and I don't want someone behind me saying that I have to close the shop», reveals Diogo Piçarra.
After getting the basic structure, the musician tries to understand the need to find a producer who can guide him or help him find some rhythm or sound.
That's how it was with “Do=s”, written and composed mostly by Diogo Piçarra, who also produced two songs and co-produced another seven, in partnership with some of the greatest producers of national music: Branko, Fred, J-Cool, Karetus, Kking Kong, Lhast, and MØTA and Stego.
Arrived in 2017, the Algarve musician sees his dream of being a singer and composer recognized for his work and not just for the covers. «I wanted to move from interpreter to the stage of composer, producer, and I can only give thanks for having gone so well with this achievement of what was just a goal since I was very young, since Fora da Bóia, where I already composed my songs», refers.
The path was followed by the Ídolos contest, in 2012, through personal initiatives with videos and songs on Youtube, always with songs from others, until, in 2015, he launched “Mirror”, his first original work. The album went directly to number 1 in the national sales chart, reaching the Golden Award. «After almost three years, I managed to release the first album of originals and now, finally, another one and I hope that all the good things that have happened will be maintained», aspires Diogo Piçarra.
The notoriety achieved by participating in the talent contest may be one of the reasons that explains the success. However, several years passed, several competitions and few artists were able to capitalize on this notoriety and conquer the industry. What will have made the difference? Diogo Picarra could be a case study.
The musician laughs at the idea, confesses that this issue is something he doesn't think about much and says he maintains the same philosophy of ten years ago: «make music I like a lot and be proud of the final product».
There is, however, one characteristic that may have made the difference: “I like to be part of everything, to be a five in one, so to speak. Be it on social media, in the visual part, in videos, at the concert, I like to play with everything, this could have been an advantage. That independence allowed me to subsist on my own and keep my feet on the ground, continuing to work even when I wasn't getting recognized».
The formulas for success in the music world are not mathematical and can hardly be replicated. There are many variables and, even with a lot of work, sometimes there are small details that can make all the difference: “there are people much more hardworking than me, but then I don't know what ingredient they lack to captivate the public. I was always natural. I don't know if people only liked the music or my personality and my way of being. That could be it, it could be a musical question, because they quickly identified with the lyrics, with my way of composing, with the choruses, or with the instrumentals, it could be in concerts… there are several factors that can mold and make an artist be recognized», he considers.
The musician assumes that he is always connected to the virtual world, where he seeks to be up-to-date with news and establish a close relationship with his audience, taking care to respond to those who contact him.
“Whether it's replying to messages or taking a liking to a comment, I like to be part of people's lives that way and not just through my music. That makes all the difference», says Diogo Piçarra. This connection placed, in January, the artist as the outstanding leader of the ranking which measures the media notoriety of Portuguese musicians. Piçarra was well ahead of António de Zambujo and Deolinda, who closed the “podium”.
The year of 2017 promises to be a big one for the musician from Faro. “Do=s” has not yet been released and there are already over 50 concerts booked. The presentation show will have no guests, as they are being reserved and planned for the special moments that close the 2017 tour: the Coliseu in Porto, on the 27th of October, and in Lisbon, on the 3rd of November.
the concert of Faro, sold out, lasts 75 minutes and the musician is accompanied by Francisco Aragão (guitars, keyboards and programming), Filipe Cabeçadas (drums and programming) and Miguel Santos (bass and keyboards).
The video for “No More Talking”:
Listen to the interview with Diogo Piçarra:
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