Eleven personalities assembled give rise to a dense, cosmopolitan, dancing sound. It all started back in 2011, when the Aláfia pack was heating up their affinities with a run of performances at Bar B, in the center of São Paulo. The street language, the freshness of these gatherings, and the deep liaison with the Afro-Brazilian ancestry dawned as crucial aspects to the creation of the group. Of urban nature, the troop belongs in the entranced city. Aláfia’s music (alafia, from yoruba, open ways) rises from the digestion of such diverse influences, a meeting point of rap, Brazilian pop music, funk, as well as the musicality of traditional worship yards. Rhythms and melodies shape a sophisticated lyricism that questions the current society, leaving no one indifferent.
After releasing a first eponymous album in 2013 at SESC Pompéia with packed house, Aláfia has been through all over the city and state of São Paulo, marking their presence in a bunch of local venues. They also took part in important events, such as the Black Consciousness Day at the Anhangabaú Valley, the Virada Cultural of both city and state of São Paulo, the opening of Cooperifa’s culture festival, João Rock Festival in Ribeirão Preto, Favela Monte Azul Festival, among others. The band also made itself present in other states: at the SESC Cariri cultural festival, in Ceará; and the Festival Veraneio, held at Oi Futuro Ipanema, in Rio de Janeiro; until making its first overseas performance at Plaza de la Revolución in La Havana, Cuba.
Its originality was highlighted by the media and acknowledged by the music scene. The song Mais Tarde made it to the soundtrack of the “Fifa World Cup 2014” videogame, by Electronic Arts, while Em Punga integrates the New Sounds selection of the British magazine Songlines. In May 2014, Aláfia released the single Quintal along with their first video, which had over four thousand views in the first 48 hours. They have also presented themselves in brazilian TV shows, in addition to performing the web concert “Showlivre”.
2015 marks the release of their second album, Corpura (YB Music), presented by the Natura Musical program. Produced by Alê Siqueira and Eduardo Brechó, it brings along the band’s commitment not only to its Brazilian roots and matrixes, but also to the need of dialoguing with the country’s cultural and social realities. Current and relevant issues are approached and brought to music while Aláfia flirts with Carioca black music back from the 1970s, along with touches of North American and African funk. The candomblé funk then reaches its maturity. Corpura equally leads to reflection and invites do dance.
MEMBERS
Eduardo Brechó – vocals and guitar
Xênia França – vocals
Jairo Pereira – vocals
Alysson Bruno – percussion
Victor Eduardo – percussion
Lucas Cirillo – harmônica
Pipo Pegoraro – guitar
Gabriel Catanzaro – bass
Gil Duarte – trombone and flute
Filipe Vedolin – drums
Fabio Leandro – keyboards
photography by Sté Frateschi
Source: Aláfia
[soundcloud]https://soundcloud.com/alafia/sets/alafia[/soundcloud]
Social