Anaïs Sylla, Vila Madalena's music vibrations...

French singer Anaïs Sylla lives with her Brazilian boyfriend in a charming old house of Villa Madalena, Sao Paulo’s Bohemian neighboorhood. Inspired by Brazilian vibes, She speaks about music and resistance.

As a French woman, how did you start your singer career in Brazil?

At the age of 23, I came to Sao Paulo for my studies, a Master of History, specialized on slavery.
It has been a strong experience. I made a lot of field trips in small Brazilian villages, to meet descendants of slaves.

I was caught by the Brazilian musicality and the strenght of their « syncretic » celebrations, mixing African, European and Indigenous traditions.

I attended folkloric parties such as the « Congada », traditional procession of Mina Gerais, and the « Festa do Bove », celebrating the death of the beef… People were singing and dancing all day long, from 8am to 11pm.
I got reconnected with some musicality, which is unknown in France, I started to play music, and to sing.

I stayed in Brazil for one year and a half.
When I came back to Paris, I felt depressed. It was too cold. I didn’t feel the French electro music, that doesn’t involve no ritual, no community experience.
In Brazil, people are warm, taking you in their arms to say Hi!

I needed to go back to Brazil, even if it’s not an idyllic country, with ultraviolence and hard politics too.

How do you feel Sao Paolo?

Sao Paulo has been an unexpected crush.
At the beginning it was not so easy, I had to discover the city’s beauties and learn Portuguese.

Sao Paulo is a huge, young and dynamic city. It’s always moving and exploding, with many things to discover.
Here I am fed with many influences, I am working with artists from all Brazil, from Bahia and Pernambuco North states…

As a local artist here, I have many solidarity’s networks, while in France I could feel isolated.

You live in a small house in the heart of Vila Madalena neighborhood…

Vila Madalena used to be a bohemian, popular and student area, near USP University, with old small houses and a hippie atmosphere.

Now it’s getting gentrified, prices are rising fast, attracting nouveaux riches, tourists, tons of bars and drunk people. Bit by bit, the old houses are being destroyed. This is the end of an era.

My house is a resistance area in Vila Madalena!
The house is from the 1940’s and we still benefit from a low rent from 2009. It’s always open and full of friends, we are cooking together, playing music, making parties…

Many times, I thought about leaving the place, but I love my house and my neighborhood… We have everything here.

What are your favorite places in Vila Madalena?
Vila Madalena is losing its soul, but there are still some authentic and popular places…

My canteen? Lanchonete do Japones
A simple Brazilian canteen owned by a couple of old Japanese.
I go there to eat simple good things, such as bean soups, pão de queijo, açai bowls, fresh juices…

Adress: Rua fradique coutinho – Pinheiros, São Paulo - SP, 05416-010

My art center? Instituto Tomie Ohtake
The building’s architecture is ugly, but it’s always hosting very strong exhibitions, mixing History and Arts.
Recently, I enjoyed “Historias afroatlanticas”, about slavery resistance and arts (from the US and the Caribbean’s to Brazil), and “AI-5”, showing artists works during the Brazilian dictatorship.

Adress: Rua Coropé, 88 - Pinheiros, São Paulo

My HQ Bar? Mercearia
The small arty left-wing bar where I go to drinks beers at night. In Brazil, everyone drink beers all day long, it’s like water…
There is also a book shop and some movie posters on the walls.

Adress: R. Rodesia, 34 - Sumarezinho, São Paulo - SP, 05435-020

My park? Horta das corujas
This is my nature’s break in town. A little park with communautary agriculture, where people can freely plant vegetables and flowers. I go there to enjoy nature, sit on a bench, read a book.

Adress: Av. das Corujas, 39 - Sumarezinho, São Paulo - SP, 05442-050

My Street cinema? Cinesala
This cinema is unique, because it’s located in the street, screening art-house and independent movies from Brazil, France, Italy…. All the other cinemas are inside malls.

Adress: R. Fradique Coutinho, 361 - Pinheiros, São Paulo - SP, 05416-010

My book store? Livraria da Vila
A wonderful book shop with a nice coffee shop.

Adress: R. Fradique Coutinho, 915 - Vila Madalena, São Paulo - SP, 05416-011, Brazil

My house, obviously!
The place where I get inspiration and energy, I sing, I cook, I meet friends…
Please come to say Hi!

Adress: R. Fradique Coutinho - Pinheiros, São Paulo - SP, 05416-010