Maria Joćo and The Sound Strippers is the creation of portuguese singer - songwriter - composer - arranger - producer Maria Joao. Also probably one of the few female blues harp players in the world, self-taught she confessed.
Based in the UK since 1986, coming from a sunny little village by the sea in Portugal, a farmer's grandaughter, Maria Joao has built a solid career and has become a sought after artist. Her distinctive, charismatic, sensual voice and presence has impressed many and earned her a well respected reputation as a singer/composer.
No frontiers, no boundaries.
With her eclectic music tastes, love of travel and her desire to explore new horizons and challenges and having since realized one of her dreams, an Art & Design degree with Merit, Maria Joćo continues her journey, learning and experimenting with new and various mediums, immersing herself in the world/global fusion music scene drawing on ethnic and ethereal sounds and beats pushing herself into different realms.
Not forgetting her native, moorish roots, blending Fado (Portugals own blues) in a timeless, unique way. She also likes to experiment with sound and discover more and more sensorial layers that will inspire her and others.
Maria Joao has been involved in many different projects and collaborations throughout her career:
- Johny Human and The Beings (Family Fodder founder) where it all started, a rock
psychedelic punk cabaret duo, where Maria Joao and Alig took to the dusty road and
performed their act to audiences all over.
- Glow, a 8 year old affair together with composer Pete Ardron. They have created a
dedicated following and are still remembered to this day for their inspiring and uplifting
live shows. www.glow.cx
- Kamel Nitrate - Nominated for the BBC World Music Awards as Best Band and Best Live
Act 2003 & 2004 and an exclusive live set at Andy Kershaws BBC Radio 3.
Here she also takes the role of manager/promoter. Another arrow to her bow.
www.kamelnitrate.com
- Ghostland (folk/middle eastern/irish fusion - East West Records)
- Zohar (middle eastern/arabic)
- David Lowe (Dreamcatcher - Oval/Mango records)
- James Asher (world/global fusion)
- Ali Slimani (algerian, rai), etc.
- Oojami (turkish fusion beats)
- Wet Fish on Leather (soul, jazz)
- The P Funk Masters (funk combo doing Sly and Family Stone, James Brown like numbers)
Some record deal offers have come her way but not yet the right ones and so, she will keep on making the music that she so passionately loves and whatever will be will be. Like infamous comedian Bill Hicks said once : -Life is just a ride...just a ride...
FESTIVALS:
The Barbican - The Fleadh - Glastonbury festivals - Womad stages around the world - Larmer Tree festival - Donnington Off The Tracks - Big Green Gathering - Knockengorroth (Scotland) - Kingston Green Fair - Guildford festival, etc.
VENUES:
China White - Momo - Scala (London) - The Great Eastern Hotel - The Spitz - Cargo - The Troubador - Union Chapel - Whirl-y-gig - Synergy - The Crypt - Concorde2 - Darbucka - The Jamm and many more.
Italy - (Rome, Torino, Naples, Modena, Bologna, Roveretto, etc.) - Sweden - Switzerland - UK - Amsterdam - Africa - Spain - Budapest - Portugal.
Currently working on her new solo album. A fusion of styles of the world and languages, a vibrant and sensual experience for the senses. An acoustic embrace blending with technology. But before it has ever been released, some of the tracks have already been snapped up by some publishers and labels in Europe. And you can hear them here, on MySpace.
For any queries/bookings/mailing list please contact management:
Fizzymoon
Mob +44(0)78 37 05 07 30
E-mail: fizzymoon@lineone.net