Music Union : Live Your Music

Mariana Knabben, Brazilian, Journalist

Here I am once again writing about one of my passions, music. The thing is, this time is totally different and special meaning to me… I’m writing from Brazil! I’m here on vacation, enjoying this lovely summer time with my family and friends, who I didn’t see for almost three years! To my surprise, things didn’t change at all, besides music. Music is constantly changing here, adapting new styles and rhythms and bringing back old ones too. What is in one year, probably won’t be the next one and vice-versa.

When I arrived 15 days ago, I first noticed all radios and TV shows having the same kind of music and groups, the rhythm that’s in right now: a mixture of country music adapted to Brazil style with sugary lyrics. It is such a big success here that even the clubs have a special night dedicated only to them. I couldn’t forget to say that there’s a club called “Woods”, which only plays our version of the American country music.

The rhythm is everywhere and doesn’t sound appealing to me. Actually, I feel like I don’t belong here right now, I’m having a hard time adapting to the news, music and movies in general, how some of them takes time to get here. Don’t get me wrong, I’m loving my vacations, everyday is a party with beer and “caipirinha” (our traditional drink made of Brazilian rum, lime and sugar), it’s just mostly the music issue.

What I miss is that things happen fast in the USA and all the time you have something or someone new to look, to listen, to learn about. Brazil is great, great culture, great people and great places, but things doesn’t happen so fast. I miss the immediateness of how everything happens. That’s what makes the difference.

Back to the Brazilian music, more specifically our country style, a lot of names came up in a matter of one year, like “Hugo Pena & Gabriel”, “Victor & Leo”, “Cesar Menotti & Fabiano”. The curious part is, they’re all a duo. There’s no group or single vocal singing. They are at the top of the charts, sold out concerts all around the country and people singing their songs like it was the National Anthem. The funniest part in my opinion, is the lyrics starting by the name of the music. Names such as “Paga Pau”; “Chora, Me Liga”; and “Meteroro”, I can’t even translate because the translation wouldn’t have the same meaning and because it’s either slangs or expressions about women or any situation about women.

Anyway, my hopes are for the new year will be better for the Brazilian music and all music in general. I’m writing from the beach where I’m staying for the New Year’s celebration! Parties, concerts and music events non-stop, so news are to come!