- country:Portugal
- style(s):Electronic, Pagan Folk
- label:Frente Bolivarista
- type:Duo
- instrumentation:instrumental, vocal, electronic, brass
- artist contact:Ao Sul Do Mundo
Line up
- Edgar Valente (Voice, Adufe)
- Tempura the Purple Boy (Bass, Bass Synth, Keys, Adufe and Adufão)
Links
Bandua is a groundbreaking musical project that reinterprets centuries-old traditional music from Portugal’s Beira Baixa region through a contemporary electronic folk lens. Founded by eclectic producer and sonic explorer Bernardo D’Addario (aka Tempura) and multi-instrumentalist and vocalist Edgar Valente, Bandua represents a bold and unprecedented fusion: the first time these regional melodies and stories have been transformed into an electronic soundscape sung entirely in Portuguese.
The project is named after Bandua pre-Roman deity of the Iberian Peninsula associated with water, transitions, and human connection—a fitting metaphor for the duo’s mission to bridge ancient heritage with modern expression.
Often likened to the synergy of the group Darkside, with Valente echoing Dave Harrington’s emotive instrumentation and Tempura channeling the textured production of Nicolas Jaar, Bandua’s chemistry is both spiritual and visceral. Their self-titled debut album, released in 2022 on the (now closed) @frentebolivarista label, received critical acclaim and positioned them as one of Portugal’s most compelling new acts.
Their live performances go far beyond a typical concert—they are immersive, ritualistic experiences that transport audiences through overlapping timelines. Drawing from ancestral Portuguese music while embracing the aesthetics of global electronic and dance traditions, Bandua creates a sonic space where the past meets the future. Their mission extends beyond entertainment: to preserve, transform, and revitalize folk music, keeping it alive through innovation and communal experience.
Since 2022, Bandua has built a strong national presence in Portugal. In 2024, they made their international debut with performances in Germany and Italy. 2025 marks a major expansion, with shows in Turkey, Hungary's iconic Ozora Festival, and a prestigious showcase representing Portugal at the Osaka International Expo in Japan.
Looking ahead, Bandua is set to release their highly anticipated second album in late 2025, alongside a special remix collection featuring reimagined versions of their debut by leading Portuguese artists and producers. Bandua invites audiences to dance, reflect, and connect—to tie together the threads of memory and movement, just as their namesake once did.