What if we can be heroes for more than one day? The improbable possibility of an independent artistic career in Portugal

Abstract

In the history of modern Portuguese alternative music, female names do not abound for different reasons. They seem almost invisible. It was from this premise that we studied a specific case in order to determine the causes of this ‘almost’ invisibility in Portugal, and its consequences in terms of recognition abroad. Our main goals are to determine the causes of the improbable possibility of a Portuguese female former musician to proceed in a career in indie music, as well as to provide a new content of study, that of an Alternative History, concerning social background and music in Portugal. In view of our objectives, we chose the case of Ondina Pires as our study corpus, she who left a legacy of self-discipline and resilience in the alternative Portuguese music scene. Due to the lack of Portuguese detailed studies in the area of an Alternative History of Music in Portugal, concerning the role of women in Portuguese indie music, we opted to make a descriptive study based on the corpus under analysis, and embodied in the views of academic authors, most of them foreigner. This descriptive and historical study provides a reflection on three parallel dimensions. If they had taken on other outlines, in an Alternative History universe, then it could have made it possible for Ondina to be a hero for more than one day, not giving up her musical projects.