Binario

Ipanema Beach in Rio may be best known as the inspiration for the most famous bossa nova song of all time, but these days, the music has changed. Binario are a seven-piece band who built up a following by hosting parties on the beach (with speakers powered by car batteries), and set out to update the experiments of the Tropicália movement back in the late 1960s by mixing Brazilian influences with rock and jazz. The energy and rawness of their groove also brings to mind bands from Rio’s early 80s post-punk scene, yet their influences go far beyond Brazil. Their rhythmically dense, layered sound owes much to the rock-improv of Tortoise (who they opened for in Rio two years ago) and Radiohead; kraut and progressive rock are obviously a big influence as are hip hop and dub/reggae.

Binario’s first album was released in 2006 through Cracker Records and was called ‘Nereid’. As ‘Binario’ co - producer David Brinkworth (Harmonic 313) says, “These guys love nothing better than playing, composing and producing music. I can't say I ever heard a cross word spoken between them.” Without egos or arguments Binario put down their second album, self titled ‘Binario’, in just five days at Companhia Dos Técnicos - the old RCA rooms in Copacabana – a studio large enough to set up two drummers, three guitarists, bass and vocals to capture what Joe Davis and Brinkworth had heard on the beach. “We placed all the mics, turned off the lights, lit a couple of strategic candles and pressed record!”