Band: We Sea
Country of Origin: Portugal

Last month I found myself in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. The Azores, a grouping of Portuguese islands, might be one of the world’s best kept secrets (though probably not for long as tourism seems to be picking up). The food is incredible, the people are kind, the weather is refreshing, and the landscape is breathtaking to the point where photos do no justice. While I was unable to attend a show while I was there, curiosity about whether or not there is a local music scene on these small islands led me to We Sea. We Sea has a beautiful synth-pop style that evokes the feeling you’re listening to “island music,” though not in the traditional sense as the Azores are not your typical islands. Give their full record a listen below (they also have a limited edition of their new record on tape). The band will be releasing a video for their next single “Tantos mas, mais quantos nós?” at some point this summer.

Five Questions

1. What is your desert island disc (the one album you couldn’t live without?)

Clemente – Tough one, this question. There are few albums that I still carry with me since I started playing and really felling in love with music. If I had to chose: In Rainbows – Radiohead; The Empyrean – John Frusciante; and Grace – Jeff Buckley

Rui Rofino – Grace -Jeff Buckley; Axis:Bold as Love – Jimi Hendrix Experience; 7 anos Música dos Açores – a compilation of Azorean songs from the 80’s and 90’s

2. How did the band members meet (or, for a solo musician, how did you get started)?

Normally bands are formed between friends who already know each others and want to make music together. In our case, we first were musicians and band members from a previous project (that ended) who later became friends and still wanted to make music.

3. What is the underground music scene like in your home country?

Portugal is now known to everyone and so is it’s music scene. Lisbon has become a capital of techno music, for example. There is also many Portuguese bands playing abroad, however, as our language is not that promoted outside, is difficult for native speaking bands to export their products. In the Azores, the scene is relatively small, when compared to the mainland. However, there are some interesting bands and experimental projects coming up and doing their thing such as: King John, Sara Cruz, Voyagers, Cristóvam, Luís Barbosa…

4. What are some of your biggest influences outside of music?

Art, nature and literature . We both enjoy David Lynch, Paul Thomas Anderson, Kubrick, neo-noir movies, 80’s nostalgia… We also come from some forgotten islands in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, surrounded by utopic landscapes and filled with mystery tales about the lost Atlantic people… so the nature and mystery and undoubtedly a part of our music.

5. Tell us about your favorite show you ever played.

All the Tremor Festival shows were special.