RAIA is a solo project by Portuguese musician António Bexiga Tó-Zé Bexiga.
“Solo”? Not quite. On his latest album release, “Uádi”, ToZé is joined by a feast of friends including O Gajo, OMIRI and other names.
A sound journey around the latitudes of the viola campaniça, between tradition and experimentation with Iberian roots. The viola campaniça is one of the Portuguese violas. Campaniça means ‘from the countryside’, Campaniça region (Baixo Alentejo). Raia is the borderline between Portugal and Spain, a cultural ecosystem with common dots on both sides. António is alentejano (from Alentejo) and raiano (from the Raia). He studied traditional repertoires and techniques but his work led him to explore the viola in many other music styles, from roots to experimental or electronics and soundscape. António: Viola campaniça, percussions, vocals, live loops. Sometimes with live illustration by Cristina Viana.