Revisit the first episode of season 3 of The Heart and Hustle of Portugal with the singer-songwriter MARO.

Revisit the first episode of season 3 of The Heart and Hustle of Portugal with the singer-songwriter MARO.

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

Rerelease: MARO’s music is global, but her taste is still Portuguese

There is no doubt that D.A.M.A. are one of the most successful bands in contemporary Portuguese music. For over 13 years, they have performed more than 900 concerts, filled arenas and secured a unique place in the national music scene. What sets them apart, as they often say, is not a genre but an intention: rejecting labels and exploring Portuguese culture in all its diversity, translating it into a pop universe. In this conversation with Tony Gonçalves, they revisit the origins of the project, the creative chemistry that brought them together, and the evolution that led them to this moment — including their upcoming appearance at the International Portuguese Music Awards in the United States.

Cristo and Coimbra, two of the band’s three members, explain how D.A.M.A. was born from friendship, poem-writing, and a shared desire to “do things the right way.” They reflect on growing up under public scrutiny, on the early “boy band” label, and on the need to prove they were far more than that. Above all, they emphasise the strength of their personal bond — a three‑way democracy, moments of disagreement, and the commitment to still be sharing stages when they’re 60.

Today, D.A.M.A. embrace a clear mission: to carry Portuguese culture forward, without filters or borders. This mission comes to life in the projects that take them to the Alentejo, to the Minho, and soon to other Lusophone regions, immersing themselves in local traditions to recreate rhythms and emotions through a contemporary lens. It is this refusal to limit themselves — geographically, aesthetically, or musically — that keeps the band relevant and prepares them for the next chapter.

There is no doubt that D.A.M.A. are one of the most successful bands in contemporary Portuguese music. For over 13 years, they have performed more than 900 concerts, filled arenas and secured a unique place in the national music scene. What sets them apart, as they often say, is not a genre but an intention: rejecting labels and exploring Portuguese culture in all its diversity, translating it into a pop universe. In this conversation with Tony Gon&ccedil;alves, they revisit the origins of the project, the creative chemistry that brought them together, and the evolution that led them to this moment &mdash; including their upcoming appearance at the International Portuguese Music Awards in the United States.
Cristo and Coimbra, two of the band&rsquo;s three members, explain how D.A.M.A. was born from friendship, poem-writing, and a shared desire to &ldquo;do things the right way.&rdquo; They reflect on growing up under public scrutiny, on the early &ldquo;boy band&rdquo; label, and on the need to prove they were far more than that. Above all, they emphasise the strength of their personal bond &mdash; a three‑way democracy, moments of disagreement, and the commitment to still be sharing stages when they&rsquo;re 60.
Today, D.A.M.A. embrace a clear mission: to carry Portuguese culture forward, without filters or borders. This mission comes to life in the projects that take them to the Alentejo, to the Minho, and soon to other Lusophone regions, immersing themselves in local traditions to recreate rhythms and emotions through a contemporary lens. It is this refusal to limit themselves &mdash; geographically, aesthetically, or musically &mdash; that keeps the band relevant and prepares them for the next chapter.

Miguel Cristovinho (Cristo) and Miguel Coimbra, two of the three members of the band D.A.M.A., sit down for a conversation with Tony Gonçalves on the podcast “The Heart & Hustle of Portugal”

D.A.M.A.: “We’re not a genre, we never were. We are a style of music”

Singer-songwriter Carolina Deslandes’ conversation with Tony Gonçalves that kicks off season 4 of “The Heart and Hustle of Portugal” podcast reveals an artist who moves between vulnerability and courage, always remaining true to herself. Deslandes speaks openly about motherhood, public exposure, and online hate with the frankness that characterizes her.

Carolina Deslandes explains how writing became her personal space of freedom and a way to address issues such as violence against women the rise of the far-right. She argues that freedom requires responsibility and access to information, something she sees as essential in a country where, she says, we are once again debating the “basics.”

Revisiting her artistic journey, Deslandes describes songwriting as a physical urgency, inseparable from the different stages of her life. She reflects on her early days on the TV show Ídolos, the challenge of balancing creativity and family life, and the moments of exhaustion that forced her to rethink her priorities.

But it is in the civic sphere that Deslandes asserts herself most strongly, invoking the legacy of the Carnation Revolution and criticising the narratives that aim to restrict rights, particularly those of women. Even so, she remains hopeful about the generosity of the Portuguese people and the cultural vitality that renews itself every day.

Singer-songwriter Carolina Deslandes&rsquo; conversation with Tony Gon&ccedil;alves that kicks off season 4 of &ldquo;The Heart and Hustle of Portugal&rdquo; podcast reveals an artist who moves between vulnerability and courage, always remaining true to herself. Deslandes speaks openly about motherhood, public exposure, and online hate with the frankness that characterizes her.
Carolina Deslandes explains how writing became her personal space of freedom and a way to address issues such as violence against women the rise of the far-right. She argues that freedom requires responsibility and access to information, something she sees as essential in a country where, she says, we are once again debating the &ldquo;basics.&rdquo;
Revisiting her artistic journey, Deslandes describes songwriting as a physical urgency, inseparable from the different stages of her life. She reflects on her early days on the TV show &Iacute;dolos, the challenge of balancing creativity and family life, and the moments of exhaustion that forced her to rethink her priorities.
But it is in the civic sphere that Deslandes asserts herself most strongly, invoking the legacy of the Carnation Revolution and criticising the narratives that aim to restrict rights, particularly those of women. Even so, she remains hopeful about the generosity of the Portuguese people and the cultural vitality that renews itself every day.

Singer-songwriter Carolina Deslandes’ conversation with Tony Gonçalves on “The Heart and Hustle of Portugal” podcast reveals an artist who moves between vulnerability and courage, always remaining true to herself. Deslandes speaks openly about motherhood, public exposure, and online hate with the frankness that characterizes her.

Carolina Deslandes: “I don’t write songs for my haters”

Journalist Mariana Van Zeller returns to The Heart and Hustle of Portugal and expands her love for Portugal’s mascot: Bacalhau. Listen again to this season 3 episode.

Journalist Mariana Van Zeller returns to The Heart and Hustle of Portugal and expands her love for Portugal&rsquo;s mascot: Bacalhau. Listen again to this season 3 episode.

Rerelease: MARO’s music is global, but her taste is still Portuguese

In 1 playlist(s)

The Heart and Hustle of Portugal

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips