Luxembourg-Cape Verdean Singer Carisa Dias Announces Debut Album

Luxembourgish-Cape Verdean world music singer, Carisa Dias, has announced the release of her debut album, Carisa, set for Friday 7 March 2025. 

Her musical style is described as being shaped by her multiculturality, while blending different genres such as Cape Verdean morna, Afrobeats, bossa nova, pop, and soul. She sings in various languages, including English, Portuguese, Cape Verdean Creole and French. 

Carisa will feature ten original songs and follows the release of two singles, “Sintonia” in October 2024 and “There for You” in November 2024. 

Carisa Dias’ musical career began at an early age and it was in singing that she found the force to unify her cultural backgrounds and experiences. She was born in Portugal to Cape Verdean parents and raised in Luxembourg. She has credited her identity, marked by multiculturalism and transnationality, for making her certain that her art and destiny have no borders. Her father, an author, composer and singer, introduced her to different musical genres and encouraged her to explore music as a form of expression.

Chronicle.lu recently had the opportunity to speak with Carisa Dias about her musical journey and her debut album.

Chronicle.lu: Please tell the audience a little about yourself – where in Luxembourg you grew up, where your career has taken you so far and where you are currently based.

Carisa Dias: I was born in Lisbon, Portugal and moved to Luxembourg with my family when I was eight years old. I grew up in the small town of Vichten. My journey in music began during my childhood when I sang in church. By the age of seventeen, I was already writing my own songs in collaboration with Cape Verdean producers based in Luxembourg and I recorded tracks with my cousin and his group of rappers. During those early years, I had the privilege of performing at the Festival des Migrations and various Cape Verdean cultural events. In my mid-twenties, I joined a gospel group in Luxembourg, where I sang for two years before relocating to Brussels for my studies. While there, I worked with incredibly talented artists, although none of the songs we created were released. I also performed regularly at weddings. After a period, where I focused on other projects and put music on hold, 2023 finally presented the perfect opportunity for me to return to my passion.

Chronicle.lu: You have credited your father as being your “first great source of inspiration”. Could you please elaborate on this and on any other inspirations or influences that have helped shape your musical career so far?

Carisa Dias: My father has always been a true music lover. For as long as I can remember, he immersed himself in a wide range of genres - from traditional Cape Verdean music and funk legends like James Brown and Tina Turner to salsa and reggae. I have vivid memories of him playing music on the balcony in Portugal, with the entire neighbourhood listening. It was through him that I developed an appreciation for a diverse array of musical styles. Beyond my father, artists like Whitney Houston, with her soulful gospel influence, as well as Sara Tavares, have also played significant roles in shaping my musical journey. Their artistry has left a lasting impact on my style and approach to music.

Chronicle.lu: What have been the most rewarding and challenging aspects for you, professionally or personally, while creating your debut album?

Carisa Dias: The most rewarding aspect of this journey has been the realisation that I could truly achieve my dreams. For many years, I doubted myself and struggled with confidence, even though others saw my talent. Completing each song - especially knowing I wrote 90% of the album - filled me with immense pride. On the flip side, the most challenging part was balancing my professional life, family responsibilities and the frequent travels to Lisbon required for recording. Fortunately, the incredible support of my parents and friends helped me overcome these obstacles.

Chronicle.lu: Your music is described as a blend of various genres. Is there a particular musical genre to which you gravitate more than others and can you tell us why? Do you have a favourite song from the album?

Carisa Dias:  It is tough to choose a favourite because every track represents a piece of who I am. However, I find myself leaning more toward the ballads. This genre is the most emotionally expressive and is also the easiest for me to sing – it is my comfort zone. If I had to pick, my favourite song from the album is “Luz d’um Menino”. I wrote it many years ago while I was living in Brussels. At that time, I was reflecting on my late brother and the way my nephew’s arrival brought joy and light back into our lives. Initially, no one believed in the song - until my producer, Mesaro Soares, heard it and decided to include it in the album. That moment transformed it into an incredibly special piece for me.

Chronicle.lu: What advice would you give a young person hoping to follow in your footsteps?

Carisa Dias: Have confidence in yourself, put in the effort and have faith in the journey. Trust that each step you take, even the challenging ones, will eventually lead you to your dreams.

Carisa is due to perform at Kinneksbond in Mamer on Friday 6 June 2025 and at ArcA in Bertrange on Saturday 20 September 2025.

Tickets for the Kinneksbond performance are available from: https://www.luxembourg-ticket.lu/en/detail/carisa-dias/8/nokill,1/eid,66374/carisa-dias.html 

For the ArcA performance, see: https://www.luxembourg-ticket.lu/fr/details/carisa-dias/8/nokill,1/eid,66468/carisa-dias.html