"I’d say that Portuguese people also share the nostalgia and sorrow of the blues. We have Fado music for example, which is genre that although it comes from a different root, has similarities in terms of soul, feeling and deepness. With this in mind Portuguese blues musicians have these feelings already engraved when they play."

The Smokestackers: Feeling The Blues

Deep rooted in the Blues Scene, The Smokestackers represent the image and sentiment of this kind of music. Their repertoire spans from traditional to a more modern approach, between acoustic and electric, reminiscences of the Mississippi Delta, where they dwell upon. The Smokestackers arise from a conversation in the studio and from a common taste - the Blues. Always with its roots on the scene, the quartet formed by Joao Belchior, Diogo Mão de Ferro, Vasco Pereira and Marco Jung, represents the image and feeling of the Blues, in a repertoire that unites the traditional and a more modern sound. Between the acoustic and the electric, between Mississippi and the Delta, the Smokestackers have their own identity, represented on their first album "Road Songs".

(Photo: The Smokestackers)

This band has their own unique identity that can be felt on “Road Songs” (2020) and they already have their second cd on his way further on 2023. The band are João Belchior – Singer / Guitar, Diogo Mão de Ferro - Singer / Guitar, Vasco Pereira – Bass, and Marco Jung – Drums. The Smokestackers will be the Portuguese participation at the European Blues Challenge, Chorzów in Poland (June 1-3, 2023).

Interview by Michael Limnios

How has the Blues and Roots music influenced your views of the world and the journeys you’ve taken?

João Belchior: I've always tried to put the feeling of the daily life in the blues. Every time I play a tune or do a solo, a bend, I always try to get some good or bad feeling in it, to expand the music to something more than just...music...in that particular moment. It's very personal and, during this musical journey it can, and it has to be a balance for me. The way I sing, and play goes very often to the roots so, there, I try to understand myself as a musician, person and how to relate to others in this crazy world!!

How do you describe band's philosophy?

Vasco Pereira: Our band’s philosophy basically consists on having as much fun as we can, while playing the music we love. We all contribute with our influences and ideals to the creative process and we’re fortunate enough that our identities really fit within this group of people. I truly believe that you can also hear on the music we make the admiration and respect that we all have on each other.

How do you describe your sound and songbook? Where does your creative drive come from?

Diogo Mão de Ferro: I’d say in terms of sound, while always having the blues in mind, we try be open to explore new sonorities. Each one us contributes with their own personal stories/backgrounds on our songs, and I think that’s why we have a distinct sound. We are all different but at the same time we converge when it’s time to create.

Why do you think that the Blues music continues to generate such a devoted following in Europe?

Marco Jung: It's a root genre that’s been only since the last 4 decades spreading around Europe. Blues music as the father of most of the genres is conquering audiences due to its warm, groovy and heartfelt performances where handmade musicianship is the main focus. Its honest heartfelt music.                           (Photo: The Smokestackers)

"Music communicational powers of bringing all human beings together in harmony and that its healing abilities should never be underestimated. The conscience of its creator defines the outcome."

What would you say characterizes Portuguese blues scene in comparison to other European scenes?

Vasco Pereira: I’d say that Portuguese people also share the nostalgia and sorrow of the blues. We have Fado music for example, which is genre that although it comes from a different root, has similarities in terms of soul, feeling and deepness. With this in mind Portuguese blues musicians have these feelings already engraved when they play. There’s really a lot of talented blues musicians all over the country, we’ve been blessed to have crossed paths with some of them, from the most classic to the most modern, from the most intimate to the most effusive blues. Above all, we think that in Portugal and the rest of Europe, the Blues is alive and constantly growing.

Are there any memories from gigs, jams, open acts and studio sessions which you’d like to share with us?

João Belchior: There are three special moments. About ten years ago I was at a bar. This cool cat Minnemann, with his Blues Band invited me to play a few tunes with them. He is one of the most important musicians in the Portuguese Blues Scene, also one of the first to ever do it in our country. One open act that was very special. Opening for the one and only Doug MacLeod, at the BB Blues Fest in Baixa da Banheira, in 2018. Also very special, a Jam session in Chicago in 2018, at the bar Kingston Mines. In fact, the song "Road Song nº4" from our first record - ROAD SONGS - talks about that night.

What do you miss most nowadays from the blues of the past? What are your hopes and fears for the future of?

Diogo Mão de Ferro: To be honest, I try to always look forward because that’s what our heroes always did, they kept paying their tribute to the past, while playing their music, building the future. That’s what we try to do as a band, go on with our music, while incorporating the lessons from the people we crossed paths or we listened to. I do believe that the blues will always be alive and in good health, it’s just so heavily rooted and it’s so important to the music in general that it’s going to last in time. That’s what I really hope.

What are some of the most important lessons you have learned from your experience in the music paths?

Marco Jung: Music communicational powers of bringing all human beings together in harmony and that its healing abilities should never be underestimated. The conscience of its creator defines the outcome.

(Photo: The Smokestackers)