Danças Ocultas is a Portuguese quartet that has been creating its very own soundscapes with four diatonic accordions since 1989. Perhaps the best way to describe their music is as ‘impressionistic folk’. After three albums that can be symbolically described as exhalation (Arco, Amplitude and Dentro desse Mar), the band is making a respiratory U-turn with the album ‘Inspirar’, which describes both the inhalation and the absorption of influences and the inspiration that the music can bring to the listener.

With Inspirar, the band has gained new momentum by adding new pieces to their repertoire and drawing on the deep connection that has developed between the musicians. In this album, the group took on the concept of creating time, light and breath, with the aim of forming a raw yet expressive sound. There was something deeply organic about this process – as if each piece had been carefully honed and shaped until only the essence remained.

Having previously recorded with an orchestra for ‘Amplitude’ and with numerous renowned guest musicians such as Jacques Morelenbaum, Rodrigo Leão, Zélia Duncan, Carminho and others, ‘Inspirar’ is also a return to the original quartet line-up and the profound sound of the diatonic accordion, which creates both the deep, inhaling and exhaling rhythmic structure and the melodic and harmonic sound structures in its own unique way. Drawing inspiration from chamber music, Nuevo Tango and traditional music, Artur Fernandes, Filipe Ricardo, Filipe Cal and Francisco Miguel create beautiful and unique soundscapes full of unexpected twists and turns and noble melancholy, whose appeal is hard to resist.

After 36 years, it is time for the band to take a breath, try out new things and present the repertoire of their 10th album on stages across Europe.