Orquídeas Francesas

Orquídeas Francesas formed in São Paulo in the early 1980s, with Rodrigo Penha on vocals and guitar, Fabio Sampaio on bass, and Leo H on drums. They put out an EP in 1984 and followed it with their first full-length album, 'Remanescentes do Século XX,' two years later. That record's title track became something of a cult favorite, though its somber tone and experimental approach also drew some criticism at the time.

Their sound pulled from post-punk and new wave, with a touch of tropicalia in the mix, giving it a hazy, atmospheric quality. They released two more albums before the decade was out: 'Televisões em Preto e Branco' in 1988 and 'As Canções do Poeta Maldito' in 1990. Other songs from their catalog, like 'Vozes do Além' and 'Cristina,' share that same moody, textured feel.

They weren't around for very long, but their records have held up for listeners who connect with that particular strain of Brazilian underground music from the period. The music doesn't feel dated so much as suspended in its own time, a quiet artifact from São Paulo's post-punk scene.