On April 16, 1980, the post-punk world was forever altered with the release of Joy Division's seminal album 'Closer.' Following the band's groundbreaking debut, 'Unknown Pleasures,' this album solidified their place in music history. With haunting tracks like 'Love Will Tear Us Apart' and 'Isolation,' 'Closer' painted a dark yet compelling picture of despair and emotional turbulence. The record was a remarkable commercial success, peaking at number 6 on the UK Albums Chart and gaining a cult following that endures to this day. The original pressing of 'Closer' is a prized possession among vinyl collectors, often sought after for its striking cover art and immersive sound that encapsulates the bleak yet beautiful essence of the band's unique style. Vinyl enthusiasts recognize the limited vinyl releases of the album that have emerged over the years, including the 2015 remastered edition, which has rekindled interest in the band's profound impact on alternative music. Joy Division's music resonated deeply not only within the UK but also around the world, influencing countless artists and movements in the decades that followed. Tragically, the band's frontman, Ian Curtis, passed away just a few days before their U.S. tour was set to begin, adding a haunting layer to the album's legacy. Despite this heart-wrenching loss, 'Closer' remains a testament to Joy Division's genius and emotional depth. The album has inspired a myriad of genres, from goth to indie rock, proving that even in darkness, music can shine brightly. Today, 'Closer' stands as an iconic record, forever etched in the annals of music history, inviting listeners to explore the depths of human emotion through the power of vinyl.
Chico Gouveia
Chico Gouveia: A Brief Musical Biography
Chico Gouveia was born in 1953 in Porto, Portugal. At the age of 12, he began studying guitar under António Mafra, and by 14, he had also taken up piano. In the following years, he focused on classical guitar, studying with several instructors, including Prof. Duarte Costa, with whom he completed a full course.
During the 1970s, Gouveia was active as both a guitarist and keyboardist in various rock bands based in the suburban areas of Porto. At this time, he also taught classical guitar and founded a string orchestra in Gondomar, composed of his students.
In the 1980s, Gouveia developed an interest in traditional Portuguese string instruments, starting with the “guitarra portuguesa” and adopting the Coimbra guitar technique, drawing inspiration from Carlos Paredes. He performed numerous recitals in Portugal and Spain, accompanied by Prof. José Neves on classical guitar. This collaboration led to the release of two albums featuring Portuguese guitar: "UMA GUITARRA SOBRE O RIO" and "O NATAL DE UMA GUITARRA," both containing his original compositions.
Around the early 1980s, he began attending the workshop of luthier Domingos Machado in Braga, where he made his first encounters with traditional Portuguese string instruments. He started playing the cavaquinho, viola braguesa, and toeira, and during this period, he released two albums—one featuring the cavaquinho and the other the viola braguesa—featuring adaptations of classical themes as well as original pieces.
In the year 2000, Gouveia launched a website titled “Guitarras de Portugal,” which aimed to promote traditional Portuguese string instruments (including cavaquinho, viola braguesa, viola requinta, viola toeira, and guitarra portuguesa). This pioneering initiative achieved significant success in globally disseminating popular Portuguese music. The website closed four years ago and has since been replaced by his YouTube channel.
In 2008, he recorded an album dedicated to the Coimbra “viola toeira,” titled "SERENATA," which received the award for Best Ethnic Music CD that year from the Clube de Radialistas. Eight years later, in 2016, he released "MODA VELHA," an album focused on the viola braguesa, consisting entirely of original compositions.
During this decade, Gouveia met António Teixeira da Silva, a luthier from Amarante, which led him to study the “viola amarantina.” Impressed by the quality of craftsmanship from this artisan, he began frequenting the workshop. The knowledge and experiences he gained with this instrument culminated in the 2018 release of "AMARANTINA," which, like his previous works, features only original compositions specifically written for the instrument.
Throughout his career, Gouveia has chosen not to pursue professionalization in music, a decision he does not regret and appreciates his status as an amateur musician.
