Balako Release Funk-filled 'Jungle Music' Video

BRAZILIAN DUO BALAKO PROVIDE A FUNK-FILLED SNAPSHOT OF ‘RIO’ WITH ‘JUNGLE MUSIC’ VIDEO

THE PAIRS UPCOMING EP IS OUT JUNE  VIA GRECO-ROMAN ON JUNE 22ND

‘A neat, magnetic anthem’ Complex   ‘undeniably carried by funk momentum’ Vice

‘an enticing melting pot of sounds that feels both retro and current’ XLR8R

Blending a vast array of styles from house to salsa, carimbo and 70’s disco and funk, Brazilian duo Balako (an 80's slang word meaning 'a good type of mess’) released their sublimely infectious debut EP ‘Hora De Balako’ this time last year. Once again made up of 100% live recordings and based on the magical urban jungle that is Rio de Janeiro, Diogo Strausz and Rodrigo Peirao return with ‘Jungle Music,’ set for release via Greco-Roman on June 22nd. 

 Before they were signed, the entirely live element of Balako’s songs caused early confusion to Greco-Roman co-founder and Hot Chip’s Joe Goddard who initially assumed their debut was littered with samples. Diogo and Rodrigo insist that sampling, editing, remixing and re-editing are not the only way to make Brazil sound contemporary on the dance floor, and have once again rounded up their musician friends and created their one retro sounding tracks from scratch. Inspired by their vibrant city and its unique inhabitants named Cariocas, they strive to capture the essence of live music in Brazil, providing DJ’s with a chance to drop something organic, messy and funk driven.

"Rio is a city surrounded by chaos and social injustice, it’s people often angered by the corruption and fragility of its make-up, but still we find a reason to smile and have fun... while still hustling” says Diogo. "As Tim Maia once joked: "Here the pimps feel jealous, the drug dealers get coke addictions and poor people are right wing. Contradictions like these create a lot of depth and inspire us to keep creating. Sometimes it feels like surrealism but it’s actually magical realism."

‘Jungle Music’ is out 22nd June on Greco-Roman and it’s colourful video, depicting the duo’s hometown Rio is out today!

Balako Release 'Nervous Inn' via Greco-Roman

BRAZILIAN DUO BALAKO RELEASE SECOND SINGLE ‘NERVOUS INN’ VIA GRECO-ROMAN

‘An enticing melting pot of sounds touching on techno, house, salsa, carimbo, disco, and funk’ XLR8R

Released last month, 'Hora De Balako’ was the infectious debut single from Brazilian duo Balako. The pair - AKA Diogo Strausz and Rodrigo Peirao - aren’t about making music to fit. Their styles range from techno and house to salsa and carimbo, blending 70’s disco and funk in the process and creating something both retro sounding and current. The word Balako derives from an 80's Brazilian slang word which fittingly translates as - 'a good type of mess.’ The authenticity of the tracks caused early confusion to Greco-Roman co-founder Joe Goddard who assuming the were littered with samples, quickly fell in love. "Sampling, editing, remixing and re-editing shouldn't`t be the only way to make Brazil sound contemporary on the dancefloor” insists Strausz.“For these tracks we headed to the studio with our musician friends and created our own retro sounding edits from scratch. It just seemed obvious to us.”

'Nervous Inn,' was the first track I ever composed and was actually born from a mistake I kept making on the guitar whilst trying to learn ‘Ligia' by Chico Buarque & Antonio Carlos Jobim. I'd just started learning and was just practicing at home while Eric Duncan and my girlfriend were sitting on the sofa. My little finger kept slipping but I loved the weird chord change instantly. The next morning I played it to my teacher and legendary Brazilian guitar player Cezar Mendes and he loved it. The track has and the vibe and atmosphere of my apartment in Rio, which Eric and I nicknamed ‘Nervous Inn.’ Rodrigo Peirao 

Balako’s unique sound is testament to their ability to look to the past and present for inspiration in equal measure. They love their city’s “sexy and energetic” music scene but want to do things on their own terms. “We are not in the glory days of clubbing and I think that is directly linked to the economic crisis we are facing. Nevertheless there is still some great producers emerging from the city like Carrott Green and Joutro Mundo, alongside local heroes like Mauricio Lopes.” It’s safe to say both Strausz and Peirao had earnt their place amongst the cities exciting new generation of producers before their paths even crossed. By joining forces and dedicating their time solely to Balako, the dynamic duo look to pick up the funk mantel and make 2017 their own. They will perform in two live formats, as a DJ set and with live band.

Balako Release Debut 'Hora De Balako' (Greco-Roman)

BALAKO RELEASE DEBUT SINGLE ‘HORA DE BALAKO’ VIA GRECO-ROMAN

A MELTING POT OF HOUSE, SALSA, CARIMBO, DISCO & FUNK FROM THE BRAZILIAN DUO

A wonderfully infectious debut’ THUMP

'Hora De Balako’ is the infectious debut single from Brazilian duo Balako. The pair - AKA Diogo Strausz and Rodrigo Peirao - aren’t about making music to fit. Their styles range from techno and house to salsa and carimbo, blending 70’s disco and funk in the process and creating something both retro sounding and current. The word Balako derives from an 80's Brazilian slang word which fittingly translates as - 'a good type of mess.’ The authenticity of the tracks caused early confusion to Greco-Roman co-founder Joe Goddard who assuming the were littered with samples, quickly fell in love. "Sampling, remixing and re-editing shouldn't be the only way to make Brazil sound contemporary on the dancefloor” insists Strausz. Complete with next track ’Nervous Inn,’ the full EP will be out in August. “For these tracks we headed to the studio with our musician friends and created our own retro sounding edits from scratch. It just seemed obvious to us.”


The pair met in 2015 through a mutual friend on a production job in LA, quickly striking up a friendship through their shared love of music. “As we walked home from the beach one day we started talking about creating a party” explains Strausz. “We started doing edits and remixes from tracks we loved and bringing live musicians in to play on them to create a unique atmosphere at these events.”

From there the pair took their ideas to Diogo’s studio and Balako was born. “We complement each other well,” shares Peirao, “we both bring something to the table respect each other’s opinions a lot.” Dubbed a ‘music production master’ by Noisey, seasoned record producer and multi-instrumentalist Strausz is known for his ability to work with a wide range of styles and genres. Peirao has previously worked as a composer, DJ, producer and creative director, producing parties around the globe and DJ’ing with the likes Young Marco and Derrick Carter.

‘Hora De Balako’ - https://soundcloud.com/greco-roman/balako-hora-de-balako

Balako’s unique sound is testament to their ability to look to the past and present for inspiration in equal measure. They love their city’s “sexy and energetic” music scene but want to do things on their own terms. “We are not in the glory days of clubbing and I think that is directly linked to the economic crisis we are facing. Nevertheless there is still some great producers emerging from the city like Carrott Green and Joutro Mundo, alongside local heroes like Mauricio Lopes.” It’s safe to say both Strausz and Peirao had earnt their place amongst the cities exciting new generation of producers before their paths even crossed. By joining forces and dedicating their time solely to Balako, the dynamic duo look to pick up the funk mantel and make 2017 their own. They will perform in two live formats, as a DJ set and with live band.

https://www.facebook.com/horabalako

https://soundcloud.com/horadebalako