The Buchinas

The Buchinas formed in Figueira da Foz in the mid-1990s, with Ana Bacalhau on vocals and accordion. Their music pulled from Portuguese folk traditions, particularly from the Beira Alta region, but they weren't interested in strict preservation. They worked those melodies into something that felt more current, often with electronic touches.

Their 2000 album included 'Velha da Beira,' a song that became a kind of signature for them. Other tracks like 'Eu, Alice e Os Doors' and 'Garota Mal Assombrada' showed their tendency to weave storytelling with their rearranged folk sound. They recorded a live album in a rural community center in 2001, which captured a different, more direct energy than their studio work.

Their approach didn't sit well with everyone. While some listeners appreciated what they were doing, others, especially traditionalists, saw it as a dilution of the music they were drawing from. The band's lyrics and stage presence sometimes drew criticism from more conservative quarters, though they kept making music on their own terms for several years.