A cult classic for garage punk fans. Recorded live on tape, a lo-fi debut album filled with irresistible hooks and melodies, backed by irreverent and intimate lyrics. For the first time on vinyl, 10 years after its release, this straightforward record holds a special place in the heart of the Portuguese underground.

 

“1755 is an explicitly and openly queer record, but it’s not a manifesto nor a pamphlet. If it talks about married yuppies and other disregarding guys, about cruising and nights spent alone, it’s because those are the ghosts that need to be exorcised.” (Time Out Lisbon, 2016)

 

Out on vinyl by Tons To Tell. Distributed by 8mm Records. Digital distribution by Maternidade. Originally released in 2016 on cassette tape by Spring Toast Records.

 

Rodrigo Vaiapraia is a London-ba

 

sed Portuguese artist and performer, who started writing songs and playing live in 2013. Between 2014 and 2018, he formed a trio under the name Vaiapraia e as Rainhas do Baile (in English, “Vaiapraia and The Prom Queens”). The trio went through different iterations, including the participation of musicians Shelley Barradas, Helena Fagundes, Lou Vives and Ana Farinha. They toured extensively in Portugal and went on to put out the LP “1755” and “Amor Duro” EP, amongst other releases.

Since 2019, the project morphed into the band Vaiapraia, in which Rodrigo Vaiapraia is currently accompanied by Ana Farinha, April Marmara and chica. Together, they've polished Vaiapraia's raw songwriting into a body of work that fits witty cathartic lyrics into catchy pop refrains accompanied by effusive instrumentals, all while maintaining a punk attitude and ethos. They have shared the stage with acts such as The Raincoats, Downtown Boys, Mega Bog and King Khan. Further releases include the LPs “100% Carisma” and “Alegria Terminal”.

 

Press from the period after the original album release (2016-2018)

 

“Há urgência emocional, franqueza, tensão, sangue a ferver, num disco de temáticas explicitamente queer – ocorrência rara no panorama da música portuguesa, e em português – em que se abordam também questões ligadas à saúde mental. (…) Subverter para representar, representar para empoderar – e respirar um bocado melhor. Venham mais discos assim.”