Band of the Week: Clã

[May 18 - 24]

Clã
Sounds Like: Indie-Pop
Drinking Buddies: Via Audio, Quruli, The Acorn

Synopsis: Quaint Portuguese indie-pop prominent with passion.

Makes You Want To...: Dance; Learn a foreign language; Sing
[Myspace] / [Official Website]

One week, one band. You know the drill.
This week, the featured artist is Clã.


Unique is a difficult term to nail down. There are a lot of folks you might who'll say, "Uniqueness is hard to come by." But I beg to differ; uniqueness is EVERYWHERE. But there are different types of uniqueness, from what I see. And since this is true, it's difficult to figure out which brand of uniqueness is actually the most unique and interesting. I tend to focus my effort (in music, anyway) toward those who are willing to have fun and play around with their sound. Folks who aren't afraid what folks will think; folks who want to play good music for the sake of playing good music.

It's in this land where boundaries that once seem to matter crumble under the pressure of freedom. Genres? Pishposh. Language? Never-you-mind. What's important here, in music without boundaries, is enjoying the neat sounds that spill forth from the speakers. And who better enjoy than Clã.

Clã hails from Portugal, and plays a unique, uplifting, invigorating pop rock with a European twist and tang. Clã has been around for quite a long time, first picking up their instruments back in 1992. They've expanded their repertoire with perky pop music and Portuguese lyric - tunes that just make your heart feel like beating, and that will make you feel like smiling. They've released quite a few studio albums - Kazoo, Lustro, Afinidades, Rosa Came, and more - and seemed to have really picked up in a more international fanbase with the release of their most recent album, Cintura, which was released in 2007. The pickle about Clã is that they are indeed independent, and they are indeed based strictly out of Portugal. This means it's VERY difficult to go about acquiring their music. But if you're willing to snoop around for your songs, then Clã is a band you definitely don't want slipping under your radar.

Presently, Clã is going to be touring around Europe for the Summer. If you were playing really close attention to Voilà! too, you may have even noticed that Clã made my list of bands to pay attention to during this year's South by Southwest; need I repeat Clã should not be overlooked? They have quite a sophisticated, sexy looking official website, with everything you need to know about Clã, in both English and Portugese. Or if you're the traditional Myspace type, you can even find Clã on Myspace as well.

It's time for something a little more unique, reader! Have a great week.