Oruã
Passe
Transfusão Noise Records
The name Oruã carries deep roots, originating from the Nheengatu-Tupi language of the Amazonian people, it's meaning possibly related to illness or the spiritual realm. In the context of a challenging band, it reflects a connection to indigenous wisdom and the natural world, bridging the past to contemporary times. Oruã's album cover for "Passe" features a cat, symbolizing the historical significance of the jaguar in indigenous lore and its evolution to the domesticated cat's everyday presence since colonization. This juxtaposition speaks to a journey through time and culture, where ancient meets contemporary life.
Musically, Oruã weaves a diversity that spans genres such as lo-fi indie rock, krautrock, noise, afrobeat, and the rich culture of Brazilian sounds. Influences range from the raw energy of Luiz Gonzaga's Pernambuco roots to the hypnotic rhythms of classic Brazilian psychedelic rock. This amalgamation forms the essence of Oruã's identity: a nostalgic yet forward-thinking exploration of music. Brazilian culture itself is a melting pot, shaped by influences from Portuguese explorers, African slaves, indigenous people, and immigrants from all over the world, who have all actively contributed to its richness.
In "Caboclo," Oruã touches upon the concept of caboclo—a person of mixed indigenous and European descent—echoing the cultural complexity of Brazil. The music video delves into urban realities with its depiction of pixação (a form of Brazilian graffiti), police presence, and statues honouring white men. These are juxtaposed with images of blood-stained white cloth, reflecting the experiences of mixed-race and black communities. This inequality is evident in the choice of camera angles, with lower angles representing marginalized groups and upper angles indicating the powers and privileges of others. Some are killed by hate through police bullets that seem directed towards black or any minority bodies. Others are killed by farmers or an ethnocide that has occurred since Portuguese colonization in 1500. Others are voices shut down by hate. These are lost stories.
A frequent element I noticed in Oruã’s videos is the presence of cassette tapes, which can depict nostalgia and serve as an artistic choice against mainstream culture. However, I believe this message should break the bubbles that divide us. After all, the ‘others’ are the citizens of paper—mere numbers in statistics, subjects who do not matter in news headlines, ghosts “haunting” Brazilian culture. Oruã reflects how the world is sick and in need of an antidote, offered in their sound. It embraces nostalgia from a past that excluded them while being forward-thinking in exploring and recreating histories. 'Passe' is a record for post colonial explorers.
Oruã 2024 Live
July 19th - Boise, ID - Neurolux
July 21th - Astoria, OR - Columbia Theater
July 22nd - Portland, OR - Swan Dive
July 23rd - Seattle, WA - Chop Suey
July 25th - Eugene, OR - Sam Bond’s Garage
July 26th - Arcata, CA - Miniplex
July 27th - San Francisco, CA - El Rio
July 28th - Los Angeles, CA - Resident
July 29th - San Diego, CA - Soda Bar
July 30th - Phoenix, AZ - Linger Longer Lounge
July 31th - Albuquerque, NM - The Minnow
Aug 3rd - Austin, TX - The 13th Floor
Aug 7th - Gainesville, FL - The How Bazaar
Aug 8th - Tampa, FL - Hooch & Hiv
Aug 11th - Durham, NC - Rubies on 5 Points
Aug 12th - Washington, DC - The Garage
Aug 14th - Philadelphia, PA - Philamoca
Aug 15th - Brooklyn, NY - Baker Falls x Knitting Factory
Aug 17th - Pittsburgh, PA - Poetry
Aug 18th - Detroit, MI - Lager House
Aug 19th - Windsor, ON - Meteor
Aug 20th - Chicago, IL - Burlington Bar
Aug 21th - Minneapolis, MN - Cloudland
Aug 23rd - Colorado Spring, CO - Lulus
Aug 24th - Denver, CO - Larimer
Aug 25th - Salt Lake City, UT - The DLC at Quarters Arcade Bar *
*Only Oruã
Essential Information
Oruã image by Pan Alves
