Biography

Galandum Galundaina was born with the purpose to study, investigate and present the traditional music, dances and the language from Miranda do Douro region, northeast Portugal, the "Mirandes". The band links the elder musicians generation and the younger generation, ensuring the continuity of this regions rich cultural tradition, that for years was about to disappear. Galandum Galundaina's four elements: Alexandre Meirinhos, João Pratas, Paulo Meirinhos and Paulo Preto, devote part of his life to collect, study and disseminate in the most diverse forms the traditional music of their small region. They try to give a modern touch to their work, not neglecting the rhythms and tones of traditional instruments and voices. The instruments used, reproductions of ancient ones, mantain their look and resonance, are: mirandese bagpipes, tabor pipes, hurdy-gurdy, rabel, psalterium, dulzaina, harmonica, flute, adufes, war drum, shells, castanets, fryin pan, tambourine, among several others. They build most of their instruments, modify and transform the others they use. This way they produce sounds, tunings and tones that gives them a very unique style. Besides instrumental music, the band presents repertoire of vocal music, faithfully reproducting the traditional melodies, embellished with sounds, rhythms and harmonies, capable of inspiring emotion and some modernity.