The duo Bob & Brudy will release the single “Jogo do Amor” on February 20th through Marã Música, presenting the public with a vibrant snapshot of the universe that marks the album Marginal Country ‘N’ Grass. Mixing country rock, bluegrass, and popular Brazilian references, the song transforms the jogo do bicho (a Brazilian lottery game) into a metaphor for a risky love, weaving romance, irony, and social criticism with lightness and authenticity. In an interview, the duo talks about the inspiration that came from everyday life in the countryside, the organic creative process at Chalé de Ipê, and the proposal to value simple but profoundly human stories that reflect the identity of the Brazilian people.
“Jogo do Amor” draws on very Brazilian elements, such as the jogo do bicho (a Brazilian lottery game) and the rural setting. At what point did you realize that these everyday references had enough power to become music and tell a love story?
We believe that anything can become music. The small things of everyday life have enormous potential, even more so when they speak of something so Brazilian and so unique. When we combined this popular universe with a love story, it became clear to us that there was a strong and true narrative there.
The song talks about this duality between luck and misfortune, winning and losing. Do you believe that love, in real life, is also a kind of gamble?
Absolutely. That was exactly the atmosphere we wanted to create: the uncertainty of the gamble, the risk—calculated or not—of something you never fully control. Gambling and love are very similar in that sense: they can give you an incredible prize or leave you only with the feeling of having lost.
The world of the local bar, of simple conversations and the margins of society, is lovingly portrayed in the narrative. What personal memories or experiences of yours helped to build this very truthful imagery in the music?
It really comes from lived experience. We even spent time with a bookmaker who was part of one of our musical projects, where he was the drummer. These figures, these environments, and these stories end up naturally entering the music because they are part of our reality.
The organic and raw sound seems to reinforce this feeling of closeness and truth. What were you trying to convey emotionally with this more intimate type of production?
The idea was to work on that border between folk, country, and bluegrass, bringing a more electroacoustic feel to the music. We strongly believe in the power of these styles and feel that they are still underexplored in Brazil. This sound helps to make everything more relatable, more honest.
The idea for the song came from an unexpected encounter with the story of a bookmaker. Do you enjoy observing and transforming everyday events into art? Is this attentive observation part of the duo’s creative process?
Yes, absolutely. Most of the songs are written by Brudy Jones, who has a keen eye for everyday life. He notices simple stories, everyday anecdotes, and transforms them into music. That’s often where the most beautiful compositions come from.
The single offers a glimpse into the universe of the album “Marginal Country ‘N’ Grass”. What kind of Brazil do you want to portray throughout this project?
Brazil as it is. From the perspective of the rural inhabitant, who today blends with the modernity of current times. We want to show that the people of the interior are the majority in Brazil, without stereotypes that they are foolish or backward. There is a lot of cultural richness there, and the album tries to portray this by mixing styles and visions.
The music video features very popular references, such as Mazzaropi, Os Trapalhões, and Hermes & Renato. How was it to balance humor, social commentary, and romance within this lighter and more fun aesthetic?
This is already something very natural in our artistic DNA. It wasn’t forced at all. The humor, the critique, and the romance appear spontaneously, which is why the result is light, genuine, and without any pretense.
You describe “Jogo do Amor” as a work done “with grit and heart.” At what point in your career do you feel you are now: in a phase of taking a gamble, building, or reaping the rewards?
We feel that we are in a moment of construction.
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