Work History

I have worked in a variety of capacities as an expert on Latin American music, as well as just a fan of music and culture (especially when it comes from South America). Here is a list of the most prominent work I have done as a writer, editor, music consultant and publisher:

2019

Received an MA (by Research) with Distinction in Hispanic and Latin American Studies at University of Nottingham for my thesis ‘Que Nordeste é Este? Manguebeat, Intellectuals and Popular Music in the Making of the Brazilian Nordeste’.

Obituary of João Gilberto for Songlines (#151)

Started Sin Nombre internet radio show with Benjamin Kay as co-host

Article for Songlines on contemporary Venezuelan music and how Venezuelan musicians are adapting to the social and economic problems in the country (in Songlines #150)

Interview with Azymuth’s Ivan Conti for The Wire 422 (a playlist I curated of Ivan’s music can be found on The Wire’s website)

Feature on Nidia Góngora and her group Canalón de Timbiqui for Songlines (#146)

Dispatch from Medellín, Colombia for Songlines #145

2018

Feature on the history of rock music in Peru (Los Saicos’ claim as the 1st punk band, the psych rock scene of the 60s and 70s, where cumbia stood in all of that) for Long Live Vinyl (#14)

Introducing article on LADAMA for Songlines #140

The craze for Brazilian records and the UK’s thirst for particular strands of Brazilian music, a history for Long Live Vinyl #10

2017

The story of Brazil’s Vanguarda Paulista for The Wire 406 (a playlist of tracks from Vanguard Paulista artists can also be found on The Wire’s website)

A history of vinyl imports into Colombia, and how African music became so loved on Colombia’s Caribbean coast for Long Live Vinyl (#7)

Interview with Eblis Álvarez for The Wire 403

Introducing Rio Mira article for Songlines #131

Introducing Orkesta Mendoza article for Songlines #127

2016

Feature on Renata Rosa for Songlines #124

Wrote press release for UK release of La Mambanegra’s album El Callegueso y su Mala Maña.

Published Sounds and Colours Argentina, an alternative guide to Argentine music and culture.

News story on Henry Arteaga’s WOMEX Professional Excellence Award for Songlines #122

Wrote cover story for Huck magazine (issue #58) on French photographer, Antoine Bruys, who has spent the best part of the last five years photographing people liv122ing off-grid around Europe.

Organised No Passport Needed: Mexico event at Doodle Bar in London with Battersea Spanish Centre, including hosting a Q&A with Mexican author Laura Esquivel

Feature on Brazilian singer Elza Soares for The Wire magazine (issue #393)

Tour Leader for Songlines’ musical tour of Colombia (September 12-22, 2016) – details of tour at songlines.co.uk/music-travel/tours-festivals-2016/colombia.php

Tropicália segment for BBC Radio 4’s Broadcasting House programme.

Segment on Brazilian hip-hop for BBC Radio 1’s Rap In Rio with DJ Semtex.

DJ set at Tropical Pressure Festival in Cornwall

Beginner’s Guide to Elza Soares for Songlines #122

Cultural destination guide to Rio de Janeiro for American Express Travel.

DJ set at Rattle album launch in Nottingham

Compiled Sonidos Raíces del Perú compilation for Sounds and Colours

Interview with Bixiga 70 for Songlines magazine (issue #119)

Tropicália talk at Truth and Lies’ Revolution and Change: Sao Paulo, 1969 event at Rough Trade Nottingham

Obituary on Naná Vasconcelos in Songlines

Interview with Sidestepper for Songlines magazine (issue #115)

2015

Published/Edited Sounds and Colours Peru, the third publication from Sounds and Colours and one focusing on Peruvian music and culture.

Wrote Global Ear: Lima feature for The Wire Issue 379 – focusing on the works of Pauchi Sasaki, Liquidarlo Celuloide and the releases of Buh Records

Press Release for Akö, a new album from Cameroonian musician Blick Bassy (released on No Format)

Began working for Company Cue as a Latin American music expert.

Interview with Criolo for Songlines #109.

Compiled 10 Essential Colombian Albums for Songlines #108.

Extract from interview with Vincent Moon published in book Paddle Against The Flow.

Profile of Spanish singer Amparo Sanchez for Songlines #105.

2014

Liner Notes and Press Release for Fiesta, Que Viva La, a release on Staubgold records collecting together the recordings of Colombian groups Ensamble Polifónico Vallento and Sexteto La Constelación de Colombia.

Press Release for Sobre Noites e Dias, the latest album by Brazilian singer/songwriter Lucas Santtana (released on No Format)

Chose and wrote about Moacir Santos’ Coisas for the Viva! Brazil microsite put together by Universal Music.

Hosted Q&A session at Broadway Cinema (Nottingham) with Gilles Peterson and Charlie Inman to discuss their new film (and musical project) Brasil Bam Bam Bam.

Feature on Gilles Peterson’s Brazilian project for Songlines #101, including sidebar of the best new Brazilian artists according to Brazilian producer/musician Kassin

Chose 10 Essential New Brazilian Albums for Songlines #101.

Wrote feature on Uruguayan musician Eduardo Mateo for The Music Exchange’s first-ever newspaper

Created detailed 16-page “Report on Latin American Popular Music/Jazz” for The Swiss Arts Council Pro Helvetia.

Published, edited and wrote articles for Sounds and Colours Brazil, a new publication from Sounds and Colours focused on Brazilian music and culture.

Feature on Metá-Metá for Brasil Wire.

Small article on Brazil’s illegal stealing of electricity (i.e. gatos) for Makeshift Issue 10: Powering Up.

Feature on Latin American rock music for Colombian magazine Shock.

Music consultant for Barbara Casasola show during London Fashion Week.

Interview with New York-based street photographer Daniel Arnold for Huck 45 (an Ed Templeton-curated special).

Interview with French film-maker Vincent Moon for Huck 44.

2013

Feature on Latin psychedelia for Songlines #96.

Interview with British folk musician Michael Chapman for The Quietus.

Interview with Family Atlantica for Songlines #95.

Interviewed for Beyond Ipanema, a new documentary TV series focusing on Brazilian music, produced for Brazilian TV station Canal Brasil.

2012

Published, edited and wrote article for Sounds and Colours Colombia, the first ever publication from Sounds and Colours – focusing on the music and culture of Colombia.

Invited to Canadian Music Week’s 2012 Spotlight on Latin America as a participant in various discussions.

Feature on Colombian supergroup Ondatropica for Songlines #85.

Interview with Meridian Brothers’ Eblis Alvarez for The Quietus.

Various music reviews for The Quietus.

Various live music reviews and previews for Brighton Noise.

2011

Wrote Global Ear: São Paulo article for The Wire 327. Article focused on the underground music scene in São Paulo and featured Criolo, Metá-Metá, Lucas Santtana, Lulina and Hurtmold, among other artists.

Interview with Deerhoof’s John Dieterich for Drowned In Sound.

Interview with A Hawk and a Hacksaw for Drowned In Sound.

Began working at Jungle as Online Editor (a position I held until March 2012)

Interview with Brazilian singer Tulipa Ruiz for Jungle.

Joined the team behind Brazilian music documentary Oba! Sounds of Brasil as a music consultant.

Article on Brazilian producer/musician DJ Tudo for fRoots Issue 337.

Began writing Latin American music reviews for Songlines magazine (you can read some of my music reviews online here).

Various music reviews and news items for PopMatters.

Variety of Brazilian music reviews, previews and artist profiles for Time Out São Paulo (here’s a short piece I wrote on Criolo).

2010

Founded Sounds and Colours, a new website focusing on South American music and culture.

Interview with Prefab Sprout’s Paddy McAloon for PopMatters.

Interview with Cibelle for Drowned In Sound.

Review of Os Mutantes at Royal Festival Hall for Drowned In Sound.

Variety of Brazilian music reviews, previews and artist profiles for Time Out São Paulo (here’s a review of Copacabana Club).