Ed

Today we're sharing an interview with Ed - a name you'll be hearing a lot in a while. As soon as we heard his first track “desculpa pr’a sempre” for the first time, we knew he was special. Despite his short career, he promises to be one of the big names in portuguese music.

Who is Ed? Where does that name come from?

The name comes from my first name, Eduardo. I never liked the idea of having a stage name other than my real name, so I went for the simplest and chose what everyone already called me, Ed.

You started out as a producer and later moved on to the mic. Do you see that as a natural transition?

I never really saw it as a transition. I always knew inside that I wanted to make my own music. Working in the studio was just the means to that end. There was a point when I realised I was giving too much of myself to other projects and needed to focus more on my own, so yes, it was a natural thing.

Your first track, ‘desculpa pr'a sempre’, got over 30,000 plays, something unusual for an artist at the start of his career. How do you explain this initial impact?

I want to believe that it's because I do this with love and because I take care in choosing the songs I release. Before that song, I made a lot of other songs that never came out - and probably never will... I also had a lot of people sharing and support from my friends... I think it was a combination of all that. Anyway, I'm very grateful, and I'm going to keep doing everything I can to get my music out to more people.

Your songs have a very distinct identity. Do you think the fact that you learnt the piano and have a connection to classical music has shaped your artistic approach?

I think studying music helped a lot, especially on a technical level. When I started singing (into the mic), I already had some vocal technique, and that made the process easier but I think my musical identity comes from the need to create something that is truly mine and to always try to put what I'm feeling into the music.

Your songs have a melancholic side, with ‘echoes’ reminiscent of fado. Considering that you regularly frequent fado houses, do you feel that this influence is present in your work?

Yes, definitely. My friends and I really enjoy going to the “fados”, and that ends up influencing the way we make music. But even before fado was part of my life, I was already making melancholy songs and what attracted me most to fado was exactly that: the melancholy, the depth of the lyrics and the musicality. I feel that I found in fado a reflection of what I already felt when making music.

In the past you collaborated with Tripsy Hell and Chico da Tina. Did you feel that meeting them was a turning point in your career?

Of course. I really wanted to make music and seeing them working, recording and building their careers made me want to follow my path even more. Being surrounded by people who are chasing the same dream as you makes you believe even more that it's possible.

Nowadays it's becoming more and more common to see producers taking on the role of performers - from Lhast in Portugal to Pi'erre Bourne in the US. What do you think is behind this trend?

I can't answer for others, because each person has their own path but in my case, I had to set up a studio and record other people to earn money so that my parents would believe in my dream. It was my way of supporting myself, buying material, and at the same time evolving because I was always recording my songs in parallel. Eventually, when I realised it was time, I started focusing on my music with all the baggage of those years in the studio.

Do you think there's room on the national scene for artists who cross genres and create a hybrid sound like yours?

I want to believe so. We are the ones who create space.

You were born in Vila Nova de Gaia, but recently moved to Lisbon. Do you think it's essential for an artist to leave their home area and head to the capital in search of new opportunities?

I don't think it's essential, but it helps. Being in Lisbon speeds up the process because that's where most of the industry is concentrated but if you work well and are consistent, you can make your way anywhere. It may take a little longer, but the most important thing is to stay true to yourself and your work.

We're only halfway through the year and you've already released two songs. Can we expect more news and surprises in the coming months?

I hope so, but I'm not going to promise anything because I'm making my music at my own pace. It takes me as long as it takes to release a song I really like.

Can you make a living from music?

Not from my music yet. But I make a living from music-related work, yes.

A message to our community :)

This community is amazing - thank you for inviting me for the interview. love you <3