In this episode of Heart & Hustle of Portugal: On Location, the trio that make the band D.A.M.A. sit down with Tony Gonçalves on rehearsal day to talk about what it means to bring the heartbeat of Portugal to the diaspora, and why this community feels like something you can't quite explain but immediately recognise.

They talk about five years of diving deep into the musical traditions of Portugal from north to south, choosing two songs that carry the longing of Alentejo and the joy of Minho onto a stage in Providence, and why it is so important to believe in yourself when no one else does.

In this episode of Heart &amp; Hustle of Portugal: On Location, the trio that make the band D.A.M.A. sit down with Tony Gon&ccedil;alves on rehearsal day to talk about what it means to bring the heartbeat of Portugal to the diaspora, and why this community feels like something you can't quite explain but immediately recognise.
They talk about five years of diving deep into the musical traditions of Portugal from north to south, choosing two songs that carry the longing of Alentejo and the joy of Minho onto a stage in Providence, and why it is so important to believe in yourself when no one else does.

Each week, join Tony Gonçalves—a U.S.-based Portuguese immigrant and successful media executive—as he explores the stories of those driving Portugal’s influence on the global stage. From visionary entrepreneurs to cultural pioneers, The Heart and Hustle of Portugal uncovers the unique ways the Portuguese identity thrives worldwide. As Expresso’s first English-language product, this series bridges cultures and connects the global audience to Portugal’s spirit of innovation, passion, and resilience.

Each week, join Tony Gonçalves—a U.S.-based Portuguese immigrant and successful media executive—as he explores the stories of those driving Portugal’s influence on the global stage. From visionary entrepreneurs to cultural pioneers, The Heart and Hustle of Portugal uncovers the unique ways the Portuguese identity thrives worldwide. As Expresso’s first English-language product, this series bridges cultures and connects the global audience to Portugal’s spirit of innovation, passion, and resilience.

Tony Gonçalves—a U.S.-based Portuguese immigrant and successful media executive— explores the stories of those driving Portugal’s influence on the global stage

The Heart & Hustle of Portugal

The Heart and Hustle of Portugal

D.A.M.A. sit down again with Tony Gonçalves, before their act on the IPMA, to talk about portuguese heritage, food and what it means to be a genre

D.A.M.A. uses their music to protect Portuguese culture

Ricardo Farias was born in the United States. He has spent 26 years giving his career to the Portuguese community. Ricardo built the bridge and stayed on his side. Not because he had to. Because he chose to.

“When I don't feel nervous, I get nervous” he says to Tony Gonçalves, a day before stepping on the stage of the IPMA, his 11th time hosting the International Portuguese Music Awards. Eleven times on that stage and he still feels the weight of it. That is not anxiety. That is respect for the room.

His inspirations are Walt Disney and Fred Rogers. Not names you'd expect from a Portuguese community TV host and MC, but when you think about what both men did, creating connection, building trust, treating an audience like they matter, it is exactly right. “He showed care and compassion at the same time he was teaching them” Ricardo said about Rogers. “That human approach to this type of work was fantastic.” That is also what Ricardo does. For 26 years and counting.

Ricardo Farias was born in the United States. He has spent 26 years giving his career to the Portuguese community. Ricardo built the bridge and stayed on his side. Not because he had to. Because he chose to.
&ldquo;When I don't feel nervous, I get nervous&rdquo; he says to Tony Gon&ccedil;alves, a day before stepping on the stage of the IPMA, his 11th&nbsp;time hosting the International Portuguese Music Awards. Eleven times on that stage and he still feels the weight of it. That is not anxiety. That is respect for the room. His inspirations are Walt Disney and Fred Rogers. Not names you'd expect from a Portuguese community TV host and MC, but when you think about what both men did, creating connection, building trust, treating&nbsp;an audience like they matter, it is exactly right. &ldquo;He showed care and compassion at the same time he was teaching them&rdquo; Ricardo said about Rogers. &ldquo;That human approach to this type of work was fantastic.&rdquo;&nbsp;That is also what Ricardo does. For 26 years and counting.

Ricardo Farias is a TV host and one of the most reconizable faces in the north-american portuguese community. Before stepping on stage to host the IPMA, he sat with Tony Gonçalves to talk about heritage and… chorizo

Ricardo Farias knows that being Portuguese means pride

We first met Manic Boys and Girls Club backstage at the International Portuguese Music Awards last year. This time, Fernando and Bela weren’t there as performers. They were there as friends, fans, former performers, and part of the community that keeps coming back year after year.

They sat down with Tony Gonçalves to talk about what they’ve been building since our first conversation, why imperfection has become part of the band’s identity, the difference between creating music in the studio and performing live, and why the moments that go sideways are often the ones people remember most.

We first met Manic Boys and Girls Club backstage at the International Portuguese Music Awards last year. This time, Fernando and Bela weren&rsquo;t there as performers. They were there as friends, fans, former performers, and part of the community that keeps coming back year after year.
They sat down with Tony Gon&ccedil;alves to talk about what they&rsquo;ve been building since our first conversation, why imperfection has become part of the band&rsquo;s identity, the difference between creating music in the studio and performing live, and why the moments that go sideways are often the ones people remember most.

Manic Boys and Girls Club return for a special episode live backstage at the IPMA. Fernando and Bela talk about heritage, performance and the differences between live shows and recorded music

The Manic Boys and Girls Club perform… by not performing

Sophia Tavares grew up in Porto, fell in love with music on a 13-hour road trip to Spain, and almost walked away from it all after completely losing her voice. She didn't. And she was nominated for Best New Talent at the 2026 IPMA.

In this episode of Heart & Hustle: On Location, recorded at the International Portuguese Music Awards in Providence, Sophia sits down with Tony Gonçalves to talk about the email she almost didn't open, the vulnerability she wants every listener to feel, finding her voice again after losing it, a dream collaboration with Billie Eilish, and what it felt like to land in Boston for the first time and think “I’m home”.

Sophia Tavares grew up in Porto, fell in love with music on a 13-hour road trip to Spain, and almost walked away from it all after completely losing her voice. She didn't. And she was nominated for Best New Talent at the 2026 IPMA.
In this episode of Heart &amp; Hustle: On Location, recorded at the International Portuguese Music Awards in Providence, Sophia sits down with Tony Gon&ccedil;alves to talk about the email she almost didn't open, the vulnerability she wants every listener to feel, finding her voice again after losing it, a dream collaboration with Billie Eilish, and what it felt like to land in Boston for the first time and think &ldquo;I&rsquo;m home&rdquo;.

Sophia Tavares was nominated for Best New Talent at the 2026 IPMA. She sat down with Tony Gonçalves to talk about her love for music and how she almost lost her voice.

D.A.M.A. uses their music to protect Portuguese culture

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