Smokey & Miho

What do the world�s hippest musicians play for their own creative pleasure? Well, if you�re guitarist extraordinaire Smokey Hormel and Tokyo-born vocalist Miho Hatori, the answer clearly is beautiful Brazilian. Smokey and Miho met five years ago (they were part of a double bill, with Hormel doing guitar chores for Beck while Hatori was vocalizing for New York art popsters Cibo Matto), and discovered their mutual passion for the lilting rhythms of Brazil. Smokey literally grew up with Brazilian music. His wealthy, L.A.-based dad threw parties for the likes of Gilberto Gil and Antonio Carlos Jobim. Although both Smokey and Miho are known for their very contemporary music-making with artists as diverse as John Zorn, Ry Cooder, Tom Waits, John Doe and Gorillaz, they love the irresistibly slinky and sensual charms of a samba. What started out as an offstage hobby has blossomed into a pair of gorgeous records and a fivepiece band that effortlessly captures the heartbeat of sexy �60s Brazil. In Victoria with Smokey and Miho will be Jon Birdsong (Beck) cornet, Mauro Refosco (Bebel Gilberto and David Byrne) percussion and Ganda (Cibo Matto) backing vocals.