The Story
A folk story of deep love and hope, bridging Portugal and North America
Os Primos do Céu is an acoustic folk roots collaboration between acclaimed artists: singer-songwriter and ukulele aficionado Ruby dos Santos and cellist Hugh Prichard.
With one of the bluesiest voices to come onto the folk roots scene today, dos Santos, son of Canadian Portuguese immigrants, started his professional career early at the age of twelve and at twenty-three was signed to PolyGram Records Europe, making him a Portuguese legacy artist.
Today he is considered by some in the ukulele world as a radical re-inventor who plays fast and furious with tradition, resulting in a style that favors fun above anything. His songs are a throwback reminiscent of the ’60s or ’70s. Today as an independent artist he is still recording and writing catchy songs you can’t believe are coming from a ukulele. A true balladeer, his songs, simply put, are beautiful.
Classically trained, Hugh Prichard is an accomplished and dynamic soloist, ensemble and session performer who uses his instrument as a melodic voice, fusing world music influences and traditional elements to create passionate and emotive musical poetry. Prichard’s versatile and cinematic arrangements provide a sophisticated counterpoint to the ukulele’s percussive drive, creating a rich orchestral-rock atmosphere. Together, their unique improvisational storytelling style weaves together a musical tapestry that blends folk blues, jazz and classical influence with pop sensibilities, resulting in a folk roots sound distinctly their own.
Their debut recording is produced and engineered by world-renowned producer Garth Richardson, the Emmy and Juno award-winning producer behind seminal albums like Rage Against the Machine’s debut, the Red Hot Chili Peppers and others. Richardson’s signature high-fidelity sound provides the bedrock for Os Primos do Céu’s radio-ready songs.
Videography and art direction is led by Severan Samulski, a critically acclaimed multimedia artist and photographer. Previously the official photographer for the NHL’s Vancouver Canucks and videographer for Justin Bieber, among many others — his blend of visual and musical experience helps tell a folk story of deep love and hope as it bridges the cultural landscape of North America and Portugal, connecting two sides of the Atlantic.
