São Paulo – The Brazilian Foreign Ministry is launching the radio show “Novas Vozes do Brasil” (New Voices of Brazil) to promote new Brazilian musicians abroad. According to the press office of the Ministry’s Cultural Department, the show focuses on new talents of Brazilian music in major music industry markets, where they may be recognized by record companies.
In the first phase of the show, the Ministry supports the performances of singers Tulipa Ruiz and Tiê, in Washington and New York, in the United States, on the 18th and 19th this month. The two Brazilian popular music singers have released the albums Efêmera (Fleeting – Tulipa) and Sweet Jardim (Sweet Garden – Tiê).
Next month, the Foreign Ministry will promote two performances by singer and songwriter Marcelo Jeneci, who has made partnerships with household names of Brazilian music, such as Arnaldo Antunes, Chico César, Vanessa da Mata and Zélia Duncan. He will perform on September 13th in Washington and on the 14th in New York.
For the second phase of the program, due to start in 2012, the Foreign Ministry is assembling a data bank of information on artists interested in participating in the show. To apply, singers must already have an album released. The acknowledgement of his work in the domestic market and the opinion of music critics will be taken into consideration in the choice of musicians.
The goal is for least five new names to get support from the radio show each year. In the second phase, other cities will be included in the route of concerts. According to the Ministry’s press office, the focus of promotion will be on major cities of the United States and Europe, such as Paris, London, Rome and Madrid, but Arab countries may come to be included in the route.
Participating artists will be paid an amount lower than the market value to perform, according to the Foreign Ministry, but one that they agree upon because of the opportunity to promote their work on the international market. The remaining costs of the concerts will be paid by each venue.
Before the performances, promotion work will be done to attract audiences, by Brazilian missions abroad, such as embassies and consulates, as well as concert venues. Advertisements in printed newspapers and on social networks such as Twitter and Facebook will be included. Admittance to the concerts will be either free or low cost.
According to the Ministry’s press office, the radio show “New voices of Brazil” is part of a larger scheme for promoting Brazilian culture abroad, which also comprises art, cinema and photography.
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
