Beirut, O Leãozinho

Beirut are a indie folk and rock band formed in Albuquerque, USA. This band started with three members Zach Condon, Jeremy Barnes and Heather Trost. Nowadays from the original set up only stays Zach Condon.

Zach Condon at the age of 17 decided to go to Europe and stay with his cousin and it was during that time where he got into contact with folk music - genre that would influence deeply Beirut's sonority.

- Gulag Orkestar era
On his return from Europe, he got into University of New Mexico, where he studied Portuguese and Photography. Condon recorded the hole sonority of Gulag Orkestar on his bedroom, going into studio to finish the album with Jeremy Barnes and Heather Trost who became early members of Beirut.
After the recording, Condon signed with the label Ba Da Bing! records under the name of Beirut, and Gulag Orkestar was released in May 2006. Zach Condon recruted some friends to play this album live, Beirut was officially born.

- The Flying Club Cup era

Beirut's second album was recorded in Albuquerque and completed at Arcade Fire's studio in Quebec. The music on this album has a French influence thanks to Condon's interest in French chanson during the recording. He mentioned Jacques Brel, Serge Gainsbourg an Yves Montand as influenced. He also showed his interest in french films and culture. The album was officially released in September 2007.

- March of the Zapotec/Holland era

On April 3, 2008, Beirut canceled the already announced summer European tour. The band had already toured in the US, and Zach Condon told that he was running on too little sleep, and explained that he wanted to put the effort to make sure that any show would be "as good as humanly possible". Later, The Stranger reported that Condon was trying to make a third album. The album resulted in a double EP March of the Zapotec/Holland EP, influenced by Zach Condon's recent trip to Oaxaca (March of the Zapotec) and an electronic experience that resulted in Holland, supposed to be released on February 16, 2009. But iTunes put it on sale on January 27.

On February 6, 2009 Beirut made their first tv performance on the Late Show with David Letterman, playing "A Sunday Smile".

The song I choose today from Beirut is a cover from the brazillian artist Caetano Veloso and his song "O Leãozinho". The lyrics are pretty simple but still very pretty and melodical. This song made me fall in love with Beirut, their interpretation, their passion, their melody is absolutely music. This is music for me, when someone of a bunch of someones put themselves together and play not only their songs but also other songs from absolutely different people.