Doomed Confessionary: Romão, Rocha, Nogueira & Cláudio (Desert’Smoke)
Photo credits: Daniel Jesus
Born in the underground scene of Lisbon (Portugal), Desert’Smoke emerged with a mission: to craft an instrumental blend of heavy stoner rock, hypnotic psychedelia, and raw energy fit for the biggest stoner/rock/metal festivals. Inspired by the likes of Elder, The Obsessed, and 40 Watt Sun, the band quickly carved out a space in Portugal’s heavy music landscape.
Reinvigorated by their journey, the band returned to the studio to craft their most ambitious work yet – »Desert’Smoke«, released March 28th, 2025 via Raging Planet Records. With another European tour already in the works for May-August 2025, the band is poised to take their cosmic desert voyage to even greater heights.
From the depths of rehearsal studios to international stages, Desert’Smoke continues to push the boundaries of stoner and psychedelic rock, forging an experience as immersive as it is powerful.
Desert’Smoke are André Pedroso Rocha, Cláudio Aurélio, João Nogueira and João Romão.
Can you say a few words about your band?
Romão: We are a group of school friends that got together in 2016 and decided to start writing some riffs and maybe play some shows at the time. The things went good, and now we got 3 studio records. This month we’re on our way to a 25 days Euro Tour in 6 countries!
What was the biggest challenge for the band?
Desert Smoke: Last year was a good challenge, we played around 20 shows. The ups and downs of the Euro Tour and the van breaking down were also a good example!
What can you be most proud of so far?
Romão: All we’ve achieved so far, the first EP, the two LPs, the festivals we’ve played reaching so many crowds, the Euro Tours, the opening shows for bands we so look up to, everything we done we’re proud of.
What was your biggest regret?
Desert Smoke: We only regret what we didn’t do!
What was the best concert/tour so far and why?
Romão: Very hard question, we definitely have some better than others, but I’ll say maybe playing Sonic Blast 2023 was a hell of a show, super crowd and we were quite on point.
Rocha: For me maybe the show at St.Imier in Switzerland, not only the place is very cool and with good sound and great vibe, but it was a place where I felt at home being so far away from home. The audience was so great, almost full house, some portuguese were there so it was funny to listen to portuguese after being on the road for so long, we have been received so well by the owners and even the city, such a beatiful place. Can’t wait to return to this place on this new tour on the 22.05.
Nogueira: My favorite show so far would be the same as Romão’s, Sonic Blast 2023 for sure.
Cláudio: For me I would at Sonic Blast in 2018. A dream come true for all of us being able to play at a festival that we are frenquent visitors and also, that gave us the desire to follow a dream not only playing there but also in other venues.
What was the biggest surprise on the music scene for you?
Desert Smoke: Getting to know really cool musicians and fans is always good!
What is currently in your heavy musical rotation?
Romão: Lately I’ve been lestening to a lot of the old Mastodon records, also Brazilian Hip Hop like Criolo, and a lot of Bossa Nova such as Caetano Veloso, Chico Buarque, Ney Matogrosso, the list goes on. Right now I’m listenning to “Rockin’ in the Free World” by Neil Young.
Rocha: On the last few weeks I’ve been listening a lot from Amenra to Shibusa Shirazu Orchestra or Physics House Band to Tommy Emmanuel. From post-metal to free jazz or progressive rock to bluegrass music.
Nogueira: I’ve been listening to a lot of hip hop lately but i always go back to the classics. Also i ve been listening to a lot of Al-Qasar and Altin Gun
Cláudio: Recently I haven’t listen to much heavy metal. Right now I’m more into Kendrick Lamar, Mono Neon which more funky fusion, and some Dhafer Youssef which is more ethno jazz.
What was the best advice you’ve ever been given as a musician?
Romão: A long time ago a wise man told me: “When playing, ear the others, ear yourself, and most important ear yourself with the others.”
Rocha: Feel the tempo, tap your foot. And never forget, feel the music, feel the melody.
Nogueira: Play what you like. Music is to be enjoyed.
Cláudio: Pratice and be on time.
What are your guilty pleasures?
Romão: Eating munchies and watching shitty tv show.
Rocha: Probably smoking some joints, I love it, but I know its not healthy for my lungs.
Nogueira: Guilty pleasure? All my pleasures are guilty pleasures.
Cláudio: For me is gaming and watching sports, and smoke some weed.
Can you say something more about the current music scene in Lisbon / Portugal?
Desert Smoke: In general the scene is getting much bigger, a lot of new bands and festivals, and also the older venues/festival are getting bigger! Portugal has a lot of bands playing around the world, regarding this music genre!
Where can we see you live this year (concerts/tours)?
Desert Smoke: This year we will be on the road quite a lot! We got a Euro Tour starting in May until June, and a mini tour in July/August. Check our Instagram page to see all the shows!!
15.05 \ PT \ Porto – Ferro Bar
16.05 \ ES \ Mos – Sala Rebullón
17.05 \ ES \ Ponferrada – Cocodrilo Negro Bar
18.05 \ ES \ Cambados – Sala Krazzy Kray
19.05 \ ES \ Santander – Rockbeer Thenew
21.05 \ FR \ Strasbourg – Le Local
22.05 \ CH \ St. Imier – Espace Noir
23.05 \ IT \ Sezzadio – Cascina Bellaria
24.05 \ IT \ Piove Di Sacco – Officina19
27.05 \ DE \ Saarbrücken – Tante Anna
29.05 \ FR \ Vannes – Tba
31.05 \ FR \ Capbreton – Rosny’s Bar
01.06 \ ES \ Zaragoza – Sala Creedence
04.06 \ ES \ Coruña – Sala Mardi Gras
05.06 \ ES \ Tolosa – Bonberenea Ekintzak
06.06 \ ES \ Oviedo – Kuivi Almacenes
07.06 \ ES \ Castellon – Because Pop ‘n’ Roll
08.06 \ ES \ Ubeda – Número Treintaiuno
01.08 \ DE \ Beelen – Krach am Bach
What are your plans for the future as a band?
Desert Smoke: Continue to write music and playing shows, and get to know knew crowds in different countries and continents!!
How can people best support your band?
Desert Smoke: By coming to the shows and just trip the hell of their heads! They can also buy the merch we got live and online, it’s been a real help!
Do you have any message for your listeners?
Desert Smoke: Just a huge thank you for making us believe that our music can really get to the people!!
Bojan Bidovc // music enthusiast, promoter, misanthrop and sometimes a journalist as well