“Tim” from Xutos

António Manuel Lopes dos Santos, better known as Tim or Tim dos Xutos (Ferreira do Alentejo, April 14, 1960) is a Portuguese musician, singer, composer, bassist, guitarist and one of the founders of Xutos & Pontapés. He was also part of the projects Resistência, Rio Grande and Cabeças no Ar and released several solo albums.

Bassist and vocalist of Xutos & Pontapés, a band with more than 10 original albums, author of most of the lyrics and co-author of all of the group’s songs.

Tim began his artistic life at the age of 15 as a bassist, in youth formations and dance groups. At the age of 18, he worked for the first time with originals in Grupo 2, an improvisational instrumental music trio from Almada.

At 19, he began studying the double bass at the Lisbon Conservatory, and simultaneously began his activity as a bassist in Xutos & Pontapés.

He has a degree in Agricultural Engineering, specializing in Rural Improvement, from the Instituto Superior de Agronomia of the Technical University of Lisbon, which he attended between 1979 and 1986.

At the age of 22, in 1982, he recorded his first work with the group. A series of them followed, all awarded gold records, until 1990, when the group took a break. There, Tim is invited to join another meeting collective, Resistência, with Pedro Ayres Magalhães, Fernando Cunha, Miguel Ângelo, Olavo Bilac, Fernando Júdice, Fred Mergner, Rui Luís Pereira “Dudas”, José Salgueiro and Alexandre Frazão, with whom records Palavras ao Vento and Mano a Mano.

In the resumption of Xutos & Pontapés’ career, records with the group continue.

In 1995, another reference project took shape: based on a story by João Monge set to music by João Gil, produced by João Gil, Rui Veloso and Tim, with the participation of Jorge Palma and Vitorino, Rio Grande was born, whose The name is written by Tim, and it once again reaches prime importance in the Portuguese panorama. Later this year, Tim was invited by Manuel Faria to participate in the Christmas compilation Espanta Espíritos with the theme “Uma Rocha Negra” in a duet with Andreia.

This was followed by his first solo album, Olhos Meus, in 1999, which featured Samuel Palitos, Frederico Valsassina, João Cardoso and Gui.

Meanwhile, Xutos & Pontapés continued to absorb the majority of Tim’s work, with other new albums and large tours and shows, which culminated in the celebration of 25 years of career at the Pavilhão Atlântico. Another reunion project appears, Cabeças no Ar, with lyrics by Carlos Tê and music by João Gil and Rui Veloso, produced by João Gil, Rui Veloso and Tim.

On June 9, 2004, he was awarded the rank of Commander of the Order of Merit.

In 2006, Um e o Outro, his second solo album, appeared, featuring João Cardoso, Pedro V. Gonçalves and Samuel Palitos, as well as Mariza and Mário Laginha as guests. Two versions emerge: “Estrela do Mar” by Jorge Palma and “Epitáfio” by the Brazilian Titãs.

In 2008, Tim released his third solo album: Braço de Prata, with originals and also adaptations by Sétima Legião, Rio Grande, Adriano Correia de Oliveira, Bernardo Santareno, João Gil and Xutos & Pontapés themselves. For this album, Tim featured João Cardoso (Humanos) on piano and keyboard, José Moz Carrapa (Ala dos Outubro) on guitars, Fernando Júdice (ex-Madredeus) on bass, Fred (Buraka Som Sistema, Oioai and Yellow W Van) on drums and Gabriel Gomes from Sétima Legião on accordion.

The album Companheiros de Aventura was released in March 2010.

In 2012, Companheiros de Aventura Ao Vivo was released, featuring guests such as Celeste Rodrigues, Teresa Salgueiro, Rui Veloso, Mário Laginha and Vitorino.