Miguel Gameiro

Miguel Gameiro is a Portuguese singer/songwriter who made his solo album debut in 2010 after nearly two decades as the frontman of Pólo Norte, one of Portugal's premier rock bands of the late '90s. Born on February 15, 1974, in Lisbon, Portugal, he began his career as a co-founding member of Pólo Norte. Founded in 1992 in Belas, Sintra, the band is comprised of Tó Almeida (guitar), Marco Vieira (bass), João Gomes (keyboards), and Luís Varatojo (drums), in addition to Gameiro (vocals). Pólo Norte made their full-length album debut with Expedição (1995), followed by Aprender a Ser Feliz (1996) and Longe (1999). By the turn of the century, Pólo Norte had become one of Portugal's most successful rock bands, and after the live album Pólo Norte ao Vivo (2000) and fourth studio album Jogo da Vida (2002), they took a three-year break as Gameiro participated in the side project Portugal a Cantar. Upon regrouping, Pólo Norte collaborated with Steve Lyon, an acclaimed British producer known for his work with Depeche Mode, the Cure, and Laura Pausini. The resulting album, Deixa o Mundo Girar (2005), was hailed by some as the band's best work to date. Following a greatest-hits album, 15 Anos (2008), and some time off, Gameiro made his solo album debut with A Porta ao Lado (2010). Produced by Paulo Borges, a Portuguese producer known for his work with Rita Red Shoes, Sérgio Godinho, and Sara Tavares, A Porta ao Lado was a Top Ten hit on the albums chart and spawned the lead single "Dá-me um Abraço." ~ Jason Birchmeier