Birds Are Indie are one of the most cherished secrets of Coimbra’s vibrant music scene. Formed in 2010 by Joana Corker and Ricardo Jerónimo, the project evolved into a trio shortly after with the addition of Henrique Toscano. Their sound has been described as a unique blend of influences, echoing the artistic spirit of bands like The Velvet Underground, Yo La Tengo, Low, Belle & Sebastian, Galaxie 500, and The Pastels.
With a discography spanning six albums, the band has performed hundreds of shows across Portugal and Spain, where they tour regularly. Beyond prestigious theaters and auditoriums, they have become staples at major Portuguese festivals such as Bons Sons, Super Bock em Stock, and Gliding Barnacles, as well as Spanish events like Atlantic Fest and Fa Ce La. A standout moment in their journey was their 7th-anniversary concert at Teatro da Cerca de São Bernardo, which featured a “who’s who” of Portuguese guest musicians. Since 2018, their creative output has been centered at the Blue House studio and released under the iconic Lux Records label.
The specialized press has consistently highlighted their evolution. Reflecting on their debut LP, critic Manuel Halpern (writing for Visão) noted that “the charm of Birds Are Indie is precisely this simplicity… it is almost an anti-virtuoso manifesto, minimalist yet enchanting.” More recently, regarding their album Ones & Zeros, Mário Lopes wrote in Público’s Ípsilon supplement that the music is “stirring, invigorating, and exciting,” describing it as a collection of songs that “cry out for life” and practically force the listener to join in.
In 2023, the band expanded their artistic reach into the visual realm with the premiere of the video-album Ones & Zeros at the Casa do Cinema de Coimbra. Directed by Tiago Cerveira, the project presents the namesake album through a “cinematic narrative divided into ten chapters,” offering a visual depth that complements their musical storytelling.
Their music enjoys significant airplay on major national stations such as Antena 3 (where they have reached #1 on the Top A3.30 chart), SBSR.fm, and TSF. Over the years, the group has become a frequent guest for live sessions and interviews across platforms like RTP, Vodafone FM, and Radar. This trajectory of success reached a new milestone in 2024, when Birds Are Indie were awarded “Best Portuguese Group” at the FAM Cultura Pop-Eye Awards in Valencia, Spain—a testament to their growing influence beyond borders.
