A tale of two cities
“How about a playlist called ‘Porto-Chicago’ or something to that effect? Our home cities have a lot in common and I think we can create an interesting musical journey connecting the two, with songs about the two cities, exploring the music scenes from either side, or just following the vibe wherever it may meet in the middle.”
An epic musical journey between Porto and Chicago
Jenna writes:
Chicago holds a special place in my heart. Chi-Town is full of memories for me and the familiarity of The Bean, Millenium Park, and Navy Pier. Alongside them, one of my favorite things about the city is the music and the musicians that grew up there. When Nuno came to me for the idea to collaborate on a playlist about our home cities I was excited to explore more songs and artists that have captured the many sounds of the Windy City. I was also excited to discover the musical link between our two cities.
Half of this playlist is filled with tracks inspired by Illinois, and the other half of Portugal. It didn’t take long for us to discover the connection between the two, even through different languages and instruments. Each song transports you to a different time and location in one of these places. One minute you’re staring over the freezing waters of Lake Michigan in Chicago and by the next you’re caught in the sunshine on a warm sunny day in Porto!
Together we created this epic musical journey for listeners by connecting these two cities that we both know and love.
Porto-Chicago is an invitation to explore the two cities’ shared landscape
Nuno writes:
Some cities exist in a plain beyond geography, landmarks and the physical structures that form them. Some cities breathe and sing and course through your veins, they call out for you even when you’re not there. Some cities have a soul. And in many ways, Porto and Chicago are soulmates. Two Second Cities that stand proud and play second fiddle to none. Warm sunny days notwithstanding, they are both stoic northern metropoles, deeply connected to their respective bodies of water: the Douro River and Lake Michigan. They’re gritty, hardworking and welcoming.
Both Porto and Chicago have an eclectic, vibrant arts scene and that vibrancy extends to their music and to the music about them. I think that my favorite thing about this journey that Jenna and I embarked on was discovering artists and bands that neither of us knew, but whose music sounds and feels so familiar, like an echo of home.
Porto-Chicago is an invitation to explore that shared landscape. Come join us.
Want more musical journey playlists from the musicto global creator community? Check out Lakeside, Continental Drifting or Trip Around the World!
About the Curators
Jenna Barton
My name is Jenna Barton. I currently live in a small town in Illinois. Although I live in small town I have always been a big city girl at heart. I live near the great city of Chicago, where I try to visit as often as I can. I enjoy seeing new places and being around people. I'm not sure what my future holds, but I do know that music will be apart of it.
Music has always been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. You can find me listening to music in between classes and during nature walks. Ive had a passion for music at a young age when I started my own musical discovery. My journey into music led me into the boyband area for a while, but now its very diverse and I am always looking for something new to listen to.
I wouldn't be able to pick a favourite artist or song right now because its constantly changing. Music has changed my life for the better and I want nothing more than to share that with you.
Nuno Nogueira
Born in Porto, Portugal, I'm an architect, a designer, a writer, a poet, a translator, etc. I have an eclectic taste in music—but less in that non-committal way people sometimes say "I have an eclectic taste in music" and more in that I'm really into some really weird stuff.