"Can you imagine a world without the blues and everything it’s inspired? It would definitely be a sad and gloomy place! The blues has given so much to music, and it still does. We’ll keep it alive, no doubt about that!"

Kiko Pereira: New "Old School" Blues

The new album ‘Ghosts’ (2024) from the Portuguese blues band Kiko & The Blues Refugees, is the perfect introduction to this band lead by Kiko Pereira, the Newark born Portuguese singer composer and producer who music critic José Duarte called ‘the best male voice in jazz and blues in Portugal’. The band skillfully blend traditional blues with modern influences, creating a unique sound characterized by soulful vocals, captivating guitar riffs, and an engaging rhythmic intensity. Their debut album, ‘Threadbare’ of 2022 showcases a mix of jazz, soul, gospel, and pop, all deeply rooted in the blues. The album has been praised for its musical diversity and socially conscious lyrics, tackling themes such as fake news and social justice. Produced by André Indiana, ‘Ghosts’ features special collaborations with renowned musicians such as BJ Cole, AG Weinberger, Eduardo Cardinho, Telmo Marques and many others. The album delves into deep themes like emotional detachment, social confinement, and personal introspection, reflecting on the struggles and resilience of the human spirit, with a positive attitude. It critiques the isolating effects of technology, the pressure of societal expectations, and the journey toward self-awareness and living authentically.

(Photo: Kiko & The Blues Refugees)

Through a blend of nostalgic reflection and challenging resolve, the lyrics encourage listeners to value genuine connections and embrace their true selves in a chaotic world. The band, featuring António Mão de Ferro on guitars, Jorge Filipe Santos on keyboards and the dynamic rhythm section of Carl Minnemann on bass and João Cunha on drums, showcases their signature elegance and energy on every track of the new album. Kiko & The Blues Refugees claimed 3rd place in the 2024 edition of the European Blues Challenge, one of the most prestigious blues competitions in Europe, held this year in Braga, that brought together 24 bands from various European countries.

Interview by Michael Limnios                 Special Thanks: Kiko Pereira & A-Z Press

How has the music influenced your views of the world? What does the blues mean to you?

Yeah, it might sound like a bit of a cliché, but so much of what I’ve learned about human relationships and the depth of the human spirit has come from the music I grew up with. It wasn’t just about hearing it—it was more about what I started to understand as I developed, not just as a musician, but as a person and a member of my community.

I’ve always been drawn to the albums by Robert Cray, especially because they deal with social complexities and the nuances of life, but still within the blues tradition. The blues, for me, is the foundation of most of the music I love and find comfort in. Over time, I’ve learned to appreciate the different directions it’s taken, while still being rooted in that tradition.

How do you describe your sound and songbook? What's the balance in music between technique/skills and soul/emotions?

I feel my music has really become more minimal and spacious over time. I want the message to be front and center, but with enough room for individual expression. That’s something I’ve really taken from the blues—it’s like a map. It gives you a sense of direction, but also the freedom to create your own path.

The technical skills are important, sure, but only to the extent that they allow you to connect on a deep emotional and intense level. That’s what drives me to write songs. I need to express what’s happening around me, in these times, while still honoring the tradition. I’m living in the 2020s, and my reality is so far from the early 20th century, but the need to speak honestly through music is the same.

"Work hard, be respectful, be honest, and don’t blame the world if things don’t go your way—that only leads to bitterness. Life’s too short to be bitter." (Photo: Kiko & The Blues Refugees, featuring Kiko Pereira, António Mão de Ferro, Jorge Filipe Santos, Carl Minnemann and João Cunha)

Why do you think that the Blues music continues to generate such a devoted following in Portugal? Are there any similarities between the blues and the genres of local folk music and traditional forms?

Wow, that’s a really interesting question. I guess the blues is a lot like fado in that both explore how fate and life intertwine with our personal journeys. The music itself is simple, but in a way that’s poetically rich—like a haiku. It leaves room for us to immerse ourselves and discover something deeper.

That’s a quality you find in so many traditional forms of music across cultures. There’s a timeless allure in how they create space for emotional engagement and self-reflection, which is why they continue to resonate even now.

What moment changed your life the most? What´s been the highlights in your life and career so far?

I’d say failure has definitely shaped me into the artist I am today, which makes me believe in something like fate. I’ve always pushed myself to grow and learn, and that’s really my main focus—to keep evolving. I want the music I write, record, and perform to be a testament to my journey, both as an artist and as a person.

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

I don’t really miss anything, to be honest. I feel good when I listen to the music I grew up with—Zeppelin, Robert Cray, Tom Waits—that sweet melancholy takes me back. But I respect all music and all artists, because we’re all striving to be relevant in our own ways.

If I have one concern, it’s that creativity isn’t being properly compensated. Sharing music and art is great—it brings it to the people—but the way artists are paid for their work has become really unfair. We used to sell albums and CDs, but that’s over now because the way people experience music has shifted.

Nowadays, we have to be on the road constantly, and in a smaller country like Portugal, that can be a real challenge. But we keep making music, because for me, not making music isn’t even an option.

"I guess the blues is a lot like fado in that both explore how fate and life intertwine with our personal journeys. The music itself is simple, but in a way that’s poetically rich—like a haiku. It leaves room for us to immerse ourselves and discover something deeper."

(Photo: Kiko Pereira)

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

Work hard, be respectful, be honest, and don’t blame the world if things don’t go your way—that only leads to bitterness. Life’s too short to be bitter.

Why is it important to we preserve and spread the blues? What is the role of music in today’s society?

Can you imagine a world without the blues and everything it’s inspired? It would definitely be a sad and gloomy place! The blues has given so much to music, and it still does. We’ll keep it alive, no doubt about that!

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