LISTEN TO TARA RARA 

WATCH LIVE RENDITION OF STANDOUT MEU PRETO

Toronto, ON – May 13, 2022 – The long awaited album of internationally acclaimed dynamic Toronto-based singer-songwriter, Bruno Capinan (Broo-noh Cap-ee-nan, pronouns: they/them), arrives today. Tara Rara (Portuguese for 'Rare Desire') is a full circle, spiritual collection of songs, resonant with sonic elements embedded with Bruno's Brazilian heritage, on a quest to connect listeners to the roots of their ancestors by weaving a tale of love and pain, travelling from Africa to Brazil in its storylines. On the new album, Bruno goes back to their birthplace of Bahia to reclaim the painful past of the Atlantic Slave Trade by honouring their true selves through music. While the songs are sung in Portuguese, they are made for dancing and radiant energy - all of which embody a universal language. Listen to the album via all streaming platforms here.

In addition, Bruno shares a live rendition today for highlight track, Meu Preto. The song is a sombre, yet romantic, ode about two Black lovers delivered with lingering prose. Watch Bruno's captivating performance here, and read the lyrics (with English translation) here.  Meu Preto follows the stunning visual for Qualquer Lugar, filmed in Brazil. Watch the video here, and read the lyrics for Qualquer Lugar, in English and Portuguese, here.

Toronto audiences can hear Tara Rara live at Do West Fest on Friday, June 3,  where Bruno will take to an open air stage and deliver their unparalleled live performance. Bruno previously had a stunning, intimate set at BSMT254 alongside special guests, Brazil's Bem Gil (son of Gilberto Gil) and Domenico Lancellotti (Portugal).

About Tara Rara
The title takes reference from childhood memories, at times reflecting on Bruno's experiences of bullying and discrimination, while growing up in Brazil. Bruno’s nickname as a child, given to them by their father, was “buddha." In coming into their identity as a non-binary person, Bruno realized they are also “tara”, which in Buddhism represents the feminine counterpart of the bodhisattva (“buddha-to-be”), and in Portuguese mean “desire." The word “rara” which means "rare" in Portuguese, and represents Bruno’s signature voice and is a celebration of their power. 

Tara Rara encompasses Bruno’s deep exploration of some of their two greatest influences; Afro-Sambas and reinterpretations of Bossa Nova. While all tracks are performed in Portuguese, they are accompanied by lush arrangements made for dancing and movement. Tara Rara is a mix of vocal layers, percussive Brazilian instruments, acoustic guitar, synthesizers, programming, and a string orchestra composed of four violins, two cellos and one viola, as well as trombone, trumpet, French horn, flutes and sax.

As a non-binary person, Bruno ensured gender and racial justice was in focus when cultivating the stellar personnel lineup for Tara Rara. The album highlights an orchestra of seven string musicians, 90% BIPOC and LGBTQI+, an elder percussionist, and musicians from different cultural backgrounds.  

Working with acclaimed Ukrainian-Brazilian producer and songwriter, 17-year-old, Vivian Kuczynski (Pabllo Vittar, SCALENE, Alice Caymmi) the album was recorded from July 2021 until December 2021, primarily in Toronto (at Union Sound Company), with additional recordings in Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Bahia and Melbourne. Vocals were recorded in Bahia overlooking the ocean, and brass in Melbourne, Australia. Bruno worked with guitarist Bem Gil (son of Brazilian singer Gilberto Gil), percussionist Marcelo Costa, a string orchestra from Toronto, arranger Graham Campbell, and others.

Learn more about Bruno's stellar career to date below and stay tuned for more shows to be announced! 

TOUR DATES
Friday, June 3 - Do West Festival - Toronto, ON - INFO

DOWNLOAD - Tara Rara Album Cover (by Daryan Dornelles)

Tara Rara Tracklisting
1.Ode ao Povo Brasileiro
2.Deuses Deusas
3.Qualquer Lugar
4.Meu Preto
5.Mafuá  
6.Tara Rara 
7.Possíveis Possibilities
8.Na Moral 
9.Comigo Não
10.Do Mais Secreto Desejo
11.Bahia Brasil  

DOWNLOAD - Press Photo (by RONCCA)

About Bruno Capinan
“Acrobatic, sensual, both angelic and profane” is how The Guardian describes Brazilian-born, Canadian singer-songwriter Bruno Capinan. The Toronto based queer artist has released five albums in their decade long music career and performed to audiences in Canada, Japan, Brazil, Argentina and the United States; fusing bossa-nova inspired music and an extravagant performance as an act of LGBTQI+ resistance. 

A fierce performer, Bruno Capinan’s approach to music making is rooted in the Brazilian tropicalia influence, which is to embrace all the vast possibilities of sound. Their music beautifully blends traditional Brazilian sounds, also known as MPB, with many other global influences, and features Portuguese lyrics that are both personal and conversational. 

Bruno Capinan gained international recognition with the release of Divina Graça (2016), including reviews in French newspaper Libération, as well as Brazil’s largest publications O Globo, Folha de São Paulo, and Rolling Stone Brazil. They have collaborated with artists around the globe, including Japanese composer Jun Miyake.

Most recently, Capinan released Leão Alado Sem Juba, recorded remotely between Canada, France, Portugal and Brazil, receiving two nominations to the prestigious APCA (São Paulo Association of Art Critics). In April of 2020, they were scheduled to showcase at Atlantic Music Expo 2020 in Cape Verde, but the performance was canceled due to the pandemic. 

About Lulaworld Records
Bridging the contemporary and the traditional, Lulaworld Records brings the Latin, Brazilian and global roots sounds of the most diverse city in the world to music adventurers around the globe.

​Having grown out of the vibrant live music scene at the Toronto venue Lula Lounge and the associated Lulaworld Festival, the label's debut release by Mexican Canadian singer songwriter Quique Escamilla won the 2015 JUNO Award in the world music category and the Canadian Folk Music award.Subsequent releases by OKAN have also earned Independent Music Awards and JUNO wins and nominations. 

With a focus on salsa, tropical and Latin jazz, the label is now expanding its scope to include artists from beyond Toronto, including Brazilian, spoken word and Indigenous artists.

Like the venue that inspired its creation, the Lulaworld Records has a musical range that spans Mexican reggae, Cuban jazz folk fusion, New Orleans inspired funk, classic Tumbao and electro samba. Stay tuned for single, albums and compilation releases coming soon. www.lulawordrecords.ca