A major Irish whiskey brand’s project will host 12 artists from around the globe in Ireland this month for a week-long composition, collaboration, and recording session. This initiative aims to blend cultures and genres by creating five unique tracks for music fans worldwide.
The lineup includes EU.CLIDES, Loyiso from South Africa, Kethan and Xenia Manasseh from Kenya, Mary Ann Alexander from India, Monika Karina from Indonesia, and Moldanazar from Kazakhstan, among others.
The group will be mentored by acclaimed American singer and producer Anderson .Paak, known for his solo work and collaborations in NxWorries with Knxwledge and Silk Sonic with Bruno Mars.
Anderson .Paak will guide the selected artists in the collaborative process of creating music that is both innovative and true to their roots.
The American publication Rolling Stone reports that the outcomes of the second edition of the ‘Distilled Sounds’ project will be released throughout the summer on the Jameson brand’s YouTube channel, featuring digital performances and masterclasses.
In the project’s first edition last year, Portuguese DJ and producer Branko was among the selected artists.
EU.CLIDES, born in Cabo Verde in 1996, moved to Portugal a year later and took up classical guitar at the Aveiro Conservatory at age 8. He paused his studies around age 19 or 20 after relocating to Paris, where he toured with the Senegalese group Daara J Family and later worked with Cape Verdean singer Mayra Andrade.
As a solo artist, EU.CLIDES transitioned to singing to enhance his expressive capability through music.
He released his debut song ‘Terra-Mãe’ in 2020 as a tribute to Freedom and the April 25, 1974, Revolution in Portugal.
Subsequent releases include ‘Ir para quê?’ and ‘Tempo Torto,’ the latter in collaboration with Branko. He continued the partnership on the EP ‘Reservado,’ released in 2021, when he also performed at the Festival da Canção, singing a piece composed by Pedro da Linha, alongside his first solo concerts.
In March 2023, EU.CLIDES released his first album, ‘Declive,’ which encompasses influences from classical music to electronic, gospel, and the sounds of Cabo Verde.
He was awarded the José Afonso Prize 2022 with ‘Reservado.’ The jury commended EU.CLIDES for exploring new sounds while anchoring in Cape Verdean music, echoing the fusion of tradition and innovation that José Afonso embodied.
This year, EU.CLIDES returned to the Festival da Canção, now as a guest composer.
In October, EU.CLIDES will perform live in Lisbon on the 3rd at Casa Capitão and in Porto on the 17th at Sala Mouco.
