Brazilian-born artist and songwriter Frederico7 announces the release of Brasileirôu (Lion’s Lair Records, August 19), a new 12-song album rooted in Brazilian soul, rhythm, and lived poetry. Created between Austin and Brazil, the record represents the culmination of a twenty-five-year artistic journey exploring identity, belonging, nature, and the enduring dialogue between two cultures.
Produced and mixed by Latin Grammy winner Beto Martinez at Lechehouse Music, with arrangements and orchestration by Latin Grammy winner Pedro Dom, Brasileirôu brings together Brazilian percussion maestro Luiz Coutinho and an extraordinary community of musicians from Austin and Brazil in a work shaped by deep listening, friendship, and artistic trust.
Where Frederico7’s acclaimed 2019 album Exótico Americano explored life between cultures and the experience of immigration, Brasileirôu comes from a more integrated place. Rather than asking where he belongs, the new album reflects an artist who has learned to carry Brazil within himself wherever life leads.
Many of the songs were written over nearly two decades. Though born during different seasons of life, they gradually revealed themselves to be chapters of the same conversation, exploring belonging, ancestry, memory, resilience, longing, joy, healing, and transformation.
The title itself arrived unexpectedly during a return trip to Brazil with his wife and creative partner, visual artist Vivienne J. Forte. After years away because of life, finances, and the pandemic, the couple returned to the forests, waterfalls, beaches, and landscapes that shaped Frederico’s childhood.
“I didn’t invent the title,” says Frederico7. “It felt more like recognition than creation.”
“Brasileirôu’ literally suggests becoming Brazilianized, but for me it means something much deeper. It’s a state of being. A way of moving through the world with warmth, resilience, creativity, emotional intelligence, and the ability to keep dancing with life despite its challenges.”
Rather than recreating traditional Brazilian music or pursuing fusion for its own sake, Brasileirôu allows Brazilian musical thought to naturally converse with soul, jazz, chamber music, Afro-Brazilian rhythms, and contemporary songwriting. The result is a record that feels deeply rooted while remaining unmistakably personal.
The project was brought to life through a successful grassroots campaign supported by more than 200 backers and years of community-building across Austin’s Brazilian cultural scene. Alongside his recording career, Frederico7 has spent the last decade producing and curating events such as SouthAmericano, Brazil Nights, and Tropicália Nights, while also working in public art and arts education to strengthen cultural connections throughout the Americas.
The album’s visual identity was created by Vivienne J. Forte, whose original paintings expand the music into a symbolic landscape populated by the pantera, Oxumaré, cavalo branco, beija-flor, rivers, forests, sun, and moon, inviting listeners into what Frederico describes as “a musical portal.”
“I stand proudly behind this album. It’s your best work ever,” – Producer Beto Martinez
“The songs are sad and joyful; mystical and down to earth… filled with nuance and spirit. You can feel Brazil in all of it, and yet it’s so original. I’m excited for people to hear it,” Sonia McLaughlin, singer and bandleader of Nossas Novas
Frederico7’s previous release, Exótico Americano, reached #1 on the North American Independent Radio Chart (World Music) and received coverage from Rolling Stone en Español, Jazz Weekly, PRI’s The World, and numerous international outlets.
With Brasileirôu, Frederico7 hopes to continue building cultural bridges through touring, festivals, performing arts centers, educational programs, and collaborations throughout the Americas and beyond.
Album release concert
Sunday, August 23, 5:00pm
The Rosette Theater
3908 Avenue B, Austin
www.rosetteatx.org/upcoming-events/brasileiru-album-release-show-by-frederico
For more information please contact: Mark Gorney
Worldisc
(510) 665-4211
worldisc@gmail.com
www.worldisc.net