LINA_ Fado Camões

Presence is the quality that best describes LINA_s performances. She feels what she sings and shares generously with the audience – a messenger of fado's ability to renew the soul.

This year LINA_, whose full name is Lina Rodrigues, is again relevant with a new release - Fado Camões - based on poems by Luís Vaz de Camões (1524-1580). Camões is referred to as Portugal's greatest poet, and his mastery of the art of verse means that he is compared to Shakespeare, Homer and Dante.

The album has been awarded five stars by BBC Music Magazine and Songlines, who call the album "Experimental fado at its very best".

On "Fado Camões", Lina makes her debut as a composer and collaborates with star producer Justin Adams, who contributes rhythmic elements, in addition to Portuguese guitar by Pedro Viana and acoustic piano by Ianina Khemelik.

"Expressive and exquisite fado...An intimate deep dive into the classic poetry of Luís Vaz de Camões." - World Music Central

Growing up in Egypt, Adams became aware of the connection between the blues and the traditional rhythms of the music of the Maghrib region. The influence of African music in fado is well documented, and Adams has taken advantage of this in the production of the album.

Lina herself shares her knowledge of fado's history in The Portugal News: "Fado is very rich in various sources of inspiration, from large parts of Europe's coastline, to North Africa and even Brazil".

Several sources in the music industry claim that LINA_ is reinventing fado, but she would not agree with this: "I don't feel that I'm an inventor. I take traditional fado, develop melodies, but I am true to the roots of fado."

About her love for Camões, LINA_ says: “I was so moved by what he writes; the longing, the pain that comes from separation and the unrequited love – all this is connected to fado.”

Line up:

LINA_ – vocals and synthesizer
Pedro Viana – Portuguese guitar
Ianina Khemelik – acoustic piano and synthesizer


Supported by: