Norberto Lobo

Norberto Lobo, a Lisbon musician, releases “Mudar de Bina”, his debut solo album. The record is almost entirely centered on the sound of the acoustic guitar, highlighting Norberto Lobo’s expressive and interpretive skills as a guitarist. In an era of polished music production, it’s easy to forget the physical nature of musical creation. “Mudar de Bina” helps reverse this trend, with minimal production tricks aimed at adjusting the music to its natural environment: its physical, human, and popular character. Recorded between home and street, the album reveals its authenticity. The melodies, complex harmonies, and simple approach create an intimate and melancholic atmosphere, but with a vital force and vigor that distances itself from sentimentalism, bringing the record closer to the “street”.

His music is based on a modern appropriation of multicultural traditional elements. By fearlessly revisiting the past, Norberto Lobo shows respect for the tradition he “distorts”. The album “Mudar de Bina” is a prime example, combining elements of Portuguese folk music with influences from John Fahey and the Takoma Records scene. The elemental approach to the instrument and the joy of producing sound communicate with the listener on a deep level, conveying a sense of physical vibration. The music isn’t “difficult”, but rather crafted to be appreciated on a level prior to intellectual evaluation. It seamlessly blends contemplative and joyful elements, traditional and modern, without succumbing to a “post-modern” appropriation or concealment of its debt to tradition. Instead, the approach is candid, unpretentious, and fundamentally joyful.

Norberto’s music is uniquely and integrally his own, yet it welcomes us all. With the release of his highly anticipated second album, “Pata Lenta”, presented at Casa do Alentejo in Lisbon, there is no room for doubt. His debut album, “Mudar de Bina”, released two years ago, had already showcased his ability to combine diverse influences, from Carlos Paredes to John Fahey and Ravi Shankar. Norberto Lobo’s head is full of music, with influences ranging from traditional Portuguese music to Americana and jazz. His music is not a reproduction of sounds, but rather an expression of soul and intangible essence. Now, with “Pata Lenta”, Norberto Lobo confirms his unique musical identity.

The concert poster features a collage with Norberto Lobo’s head represented as a lit lamp, showcasing his sense of humor and constant activity.

He is a musician who creates music that transcends words, is a guitarist with a touching expressiveness. In an interview, he shows up wearing an unlikely Manowar t-shirt, showcasing his sense of humor and appreciation for American heavy metal icons. Norberto Lobo discusses globalization and cultural identity, arguing that “there’s no such thing as cultural identity” and that the internet only reinforces this idea. He prefers to focus on challenges and starting points rather than returns. His second album, “Pata Lenta”, includes a version of Björk’s “Unravel” and titles like “Ayrton Senna” and “Vento em polpa”. Norberto Lobo feels constantly challenged and doesn’t believe he has a defined language.

In “Pata Lenta”, he aimed to recreate the concert experience, including mistakes and unedited history. For him, mistakes are as important as the rest, and he doesn’t strive for perfection, but rather authenticity. Norberto draws inspiration from musicians like Thelonius Monk and John Fahey, and believes that each person has their individual expression and will create their own fusion. He’s fascinated by the idea of mantra and loop, and acknowledges the influence of magical realism in his music. Beyond his solo career, Norberto also plays in other bands, such as Tigrala and Norman, and is interested in other arts, like painting and chess.

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