THE GIFT

1994 The Gift is formed by teenagers: Nuno Gonçalves [keyboards], Sonia Tavares [vocals], John Gonçalves [bass and keyboards], Miguel Ribeiro [guitar, bass].
1996 Release a “Digital Atmosphere” a six track enhanced CD featuring interviews and videos to the press to great acclaim, 30 city Theater tour to largely sold-out audiences.
1998 Release “Vinyl”, which is named Album of the Year by Portugal’s Diário de Notícias newspaper.
1999 Opens for The Divine Comedy in Lisboa. The “Vinyl Tour” begins end ends with 80 shows. Single “Ok! Do You Want Something Simple?” wins awards and Vinyl eventually goes platinum at 35,000+ units - a first for a debut record of an independent band. Perform for first time abroad Paris and MIDEM.
2000 Vinyl era ends and simultaneously release photo book A Single Diary , by Ana Pereira, and the video “Single Hand Camera Documentary” , Gonçalo Covacich, and documentary pieces on the Vinyl Tour. In June embark on mini Tour abroad : Germany -Expo 2000 ,Macau, Paris.
2001 Represent Portugal at the Eurosonic Festival in the Netherlands. Begin recording “Film” - The band enlists Daniel Howard (drummer /Cinematic Orchestra), a string orchestra conducted by Gavin Wright (Nick Cave, Massive Attack) and producer Howie B,[U2, Björk]. “Film” premiers Leiria and the beginning of the Film Tour throughout Portugal begins “Film” goes gold and The Gift win several awards for its videos (“Waterskin” and “Question of Love” – the album’s first 2 singles). Film eventually sells over 25,000 Units.
2002 SxSW, Paris, Popkomm, Musikfest Am-Ring, Barcelona, Prague, Madrid New York. Perform Manchester Mad Remixers concerts, a project created for the "24 Hour Party People" film's premiere, which features The Gift together with Rodrigo Leão and Pedro Oliveira recreating songs from Joy Division, New Order, The Stone Roses and Happy Mondays.
2003 The Gift is The Opening band for The Flaming Lips’ “Yoshimi battles…” Tour and Cousteau. The Gift spends the year abroad and perform in over 50 venues in Spain [ Barcelona, Madrid, Bilbao, Vigo] USA New York, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, Boston, San Diego, London and Caracas, amongst others. In December 2003, perform for the recently launched Portuguese MTV, record one of the first MTV Portugal and later MTV Live in Milan.
2004 10 year anniversary. Sonar 2004 Festival, Barcelona. Release the double album AM-FM” selling more than 35,000 copies. The Gift returns to the stage with the AM-FM Tour.
2005 MTV European Awards – Best Portuguese Act – End year with 2 No1 Singles.
2006 Brazil, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Curitiba and Recife Festival “Porto Musical”. Perform with M.I.A. n Popkick Release “Fácil de Entender’ Their first live album. Sells 25,000 units.
2007 The Gift shares the main stage of Super Bock Super Rock with Arcade Fire, Bloc Party, Klaxxons and Magic.
2008 Nuno, Sonia and John work on side project Hoje: Amalia Hoje with fellow musicians Fernando Ribeiro [Moonspell] and Paulo Praça [Plaza].
2009 Tour with Hoje’s: Amalia Hoje. Amalia Hoje garners triple platinum status selling over 85,000 units and is the Portuguese runaway Album of the Year.
2010 Begin working on Explode.
2011 Explode released in Portugal and Spain March 2011 - US Release -September 2011.