Dino Brandão

About

" Swiss Afro-Psych delivered from the heart "

Something of a staple within the Swiss music community, Dino Brandão is finally coming into his own space, but it wasn’t an easy journey to get there. He started out as a skateboarding street musician often found bombing around Zurich’s city centre, and the soulful talent soon graduated to frontman for ‘chamber pop’ outfit Frank Powers.

Drawing on his Angolan and Swiss heritage, Brandão crafted a singular, power-soul sound, culminating in two very successful and well received LPs. Flexing his multi-instrumentalist clout, Brandão also performed as a percussionist for local indie superstar Sophie Hunger, before going on to record a lockdown album together with the Swiss singer-songwriter. The album ‘Ich liebe dich’, which also featured the homegrown talent of indie-talent Faber, was an expression of intimacy and feeling, all expressed within the nuanced sound of a regionalised Swiss dialect.

Coming out of lockdown, Dino Brandão released his debut solo single ‘Bouncy Castle’, a record that exuberates what he describes as an ‘Afro-Psych’ sound. Based on his experience being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, Brandão’s new sound is rife with energy, craftsmanship and lots of funk-power. With a talent for songwriting, Brandão’s ability to turn a personal dark story into one that is optimistic and full of heart is a singular one.

More recently he released the single ‘Decoration’, taken from a soon-to-be-released LP, a track full of bittersweet psych-rhythms that enable the musician to spiritually ascend beyond his means. Calling upon his years of experience, Brandão’s new musical identity is now complete with a rich palette of jazz, synth sounds, and strong songsmanship. He’s become a hefty talent far too heavy, now, for his skateboard to carry.

Picture credits: Julien Chavaillaz