Album Notes

This album was mixed by Howie B (Bjork, U2)
THE GIFT

The Gift is...

SONIA TAVARES
NUNO GONCALVES
JOHN GONCALVES
MIGUEL RIBEIRO

Close your eyes, and they'll take you wherever you want to go. Close your eyes. Imagine a package layered with elements of Radiohead, Portishead, Bjork and Beck with a bit of Broadway and a symphony remixed to create one unique sound. Then you have skimmed the surface of what lies within The Gift. A band whose live performance is an electrifying masterpiece and whose recordings stimulate - led by the sultry, powerful and playful vocals of Sonia Tavares.

They're two brothers, another guy and a girl all from the same small town in Portugal, about an hour outside of Lisbon - population pushing 6,000. They're Portugal's Little Band That Could and have the ability to manipulate the heart and mind with their music.

Their two albums to date adhere to the technique of creating a concept that flows throughout the recording. In their most recent independently released album FILM, the band has created a series of songs that are best listened to from beginning to end - complete with the assistance of a multi-tier orchestra of strings, horns, flutes, drum machines and synthesizers to mesh classical, pop, electronic, jazz and rock, as well as the aid of producer Howie B. (renowned for his work with U2 and Bjork). A soundtrack to a film that never existed, the music allows the listener to choreograph images in their mind, only harnessed by the imagination of the individual - for which FILM is tonic.

"The aesthetic is like a film put to music," says John Goncalves. "Each song takes you to a different environment, like the up and down ride of a movie."

Formed in 1994 while the members were still in their teens, it has been an upward battle for the band to reach their goal of bringing their art to the masses. The band released their first album VINYL in late 1999, with distribution by BMG. Today, its success boasts platinum status overseas - but with little help from the music industry. The Portuguese band that sings in English was snubbed by all of the major record label outlets in their country before releasing the album on their own. The labels believed that songs not performed in the band's native tongue wouldn't sell. Those record execs have been proven wrong.

The band took out a loan from the bank to begin their own indie label La Folie Records, and repaid the debt within six months. Then the record labels came calling - and so did Moby - for help with the demo for 18. But by this time, the band realized they could make it independently. "The do it yourself aspect has become very important to us," says John.

They toured Europe, China and America, played venues with crowds of up to 40,000 and shared stages with Radiohead, Coldplay, Morcheeba, Massive Attack and James. Then they headed back to the studio to do it again.

FILM, distributed by Universal Records, was born in late 2001. It is currently being toured throughout Europe. Fans of Air, Groove Armada, Beck, Massive Attack and similar artists will be captivated by this act. The Gift encompasses parts of each but blends the influences to stamp on their own signature - a mark not complete without bearing witness to their live performance.

Their shows are mesmerizing musical and theatrical feasts, led by Sonia's haunting voice and charismatic presence. It's a show unmatched in any genre. On stage, they are powerful. The band captivates and enchants. The sound envelops and seduces. Its raw, unleashed energy, style, personality and explosive creativity will leave you wanting more - all adding to the magic formulation that is The Gift. It's a present with universal appeal.