Transmissions from Down Below #1 ft. SONNY SANTOS (USA)
Channel: VIC NIC
Date: 12/03/2024

Shot during Covid-19 lockdown with minimal resources, the opening episode of the TFDB live music series focuses on the work of Sonny Santos, also known as @transvansantos345, also known as Mark Matos, also know as Padre Paulo Santo.

Singer-songwriter with Azorean roots, Mark Paul Matos was raised within the Portuguese immigrant community of the Bay Area, California. Starting his musical journey in 2003 in Tucson, Texas, under the name Campo Bravo, Matos later returned to the San Francisco area to form other musical projects.

The common thread among these projects is a strong affinity for psychedelic folk sounds, intertwined with the exotic vibes of 1960s Tropicália, resulting in a sound both expansive and mystical. This eclectic mix of sonic colours has garnered a cult following worldwide, leading him to stage collaborations with bands such as Smog, Flaming Lips, M. Ward, and Liz Phair. Trans Van Santos, in particular, boasts a rotating lineup, featuring members from renowned bands like Dead Meadow, Iggy and The Stooges, and Brian Jonestown Massacre. Mark Matos, whose songwriting has been compared to luminaries such as Beck and Bob Dylan, has also received praise from celebrities like actor James Franco, with whom he collaborated on the film "I Think You’re Totally Wrong: A Quarrel."

Mark visited VIC @aveiroartshouse on several occasions —as a performing musician, resident artist and volunteer— having eventually settled in Aveiro for a few seasons, where he became part of the family, played numerous gigs and founded yet another bizarre music project —Jenny and her Epileptic Dog— together with Hugo Branco. He was also one of the masterminds responsible for the birth of VIC NIC, havinf left behind a delightful trail of friendship, love and deep, liberating thoughts.

* LISTEN TO MARK MATOS *
https://padrepaulosanto.bandcamp.com
https://markmatososbeaches.bandcamp.com
https://lifeisavicnic.bandcamp.com/track/iberian-space-onion

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* CREDITS *
Starring: Sonny Santos
Also featuring: Fatma Matar

Video Direction & Edition: @gabibenedeti 
Interview & Assistant Production: Renata "Ré" Rodrigues
Recording, Mixing & Sound Design: Hugo Branco
Post Production: João Garcia Neto @joaocianeto 
Opening Animation: Gabi, Hugo & Ré
Additional Animations: Gabriela Benedeti
Illustrations: Lägrima

Transmitted by VIC NIC, @MunicipioAveiro 
With the Support of: Aveiro 2024, VIC Aveiro Arts House, República Portuguesa - Cultura
Media Partners: @Canal180, @Viralagenda 
Partners: Lovecraft, YEAH!, @GrETUA, MUSA