Pedro Sousa

Pedro Sousa grew up in Porto, Portugal, where he heard fado and Brazilian music around him. Those sounds eventually found their way into his own songs, which often lean toward folk and blues. His 2005 debut album was called 'Dois Selos,' and it included the track 'Depois do Deserto.'

That song, 'Depois do Deserto,' became something of a signature piece for him, with a melody that sticks and lyrics that feel quietly introspective. He worked regularly with a small group of musicians, including João Frade on guitar, Miguel Amado on bass, and Luís Nunes on drums. Their live shows tended to be fairly intimate, built around Sousa's voice and storytelling.

Some listeners found his material too melancholic or not quite mainstream enough, but he kept writing in that vein anyway. He didn't chase a different sound just to please critics. The music he made was mostly about emotion and searching, delivered without much flash.