Interview With Non Talkers

How would you describe your music to any person who may have never heard it before?

Our music is a blend of indie folk and pop folk, carried by the contrast of two distinct voices—one warm and powerful, the other delicate and emotive. It’s intimate at its core, often starting from acoustic roots, but it can also grow into something dynamic and cinematic. We write songs that are meant to connect on an emotional level, exploring resilience, love, doubt, and hope. If you enjoy artists who tell stories through melodies—like Damien Rice, Fleetwood Mac, or The Lumineers—you’ll probably find a piece of yourself in our music.

What's the significance of your band's band?

The name Non Talkers reflects the idea that not everything can be expressed through words. Sometimes emotions, struggles, or even hope are too complex to explain—and that’s where music takes over. When we rebranded from our previous project, we wanted a name that highlighted this belief: that music speaks louder than words, and that our songs are our true voice.

What are your musical influences?

We draw inspiration from a wide spectrum of artists. Damien Rice has influenced our approach to raw, emotional songwriting, while Fleetwood Mac and Neil Young shaped our love for timeless melodies and storytelling. Adele and Laura Branigan inspired the depth and power of Evita’s voice, while artists like The Lumineers and Mumford & Sons influenced our acoustic and folk-driven energy. Beyond music, we’re inspired by personal experiences, real-life stories, and the resilience of people around us—those elements often find their way into our songs.

What are your musical inspirations?

Our inspiration often comes from real-life experiences and emotions—moments of doubt, resilience, love, and hope. Many times, it’s the stories we hear or live that spark a song. Nature also plays a role; being based by the Atlantic coast in northern Portugal, the sea, the mountains, and the quiet of our surroundings often filter into the mood of our music. Above all, our biggest inspiration is the connection with people—the idea that a song can touch someone’s life and make them feel understood.

If given the chance, what musician(s) would you like to collaborate with? Rather, this is to either write a song or be featured on a track.

There are so many artists we’d love to collaborate with. Damien Rice would be incredible for the intimacy and honesty he brings into songwriting. Working with The Lumineers or Mumford & Sons would also be a dream, as their energy and folk spirit resonate with our sound. On a vocal level, collaborating with Brandi Carlile, or Jack Savoretti would be amazing—they each carry that emotional power and depth that we admire. Ultimately, any collaboration that feels authentic and allows us to tell a story together would be truly special.

What's the new single about?

Our new single “Weight of Doubt” is about resilience, holding on to your dreams and goals even when you’re confronted with uncertainty or self-doubt. It’s a reminder that doubts are part of the journey, but they don’t have to define the outcome. The song encourages listeners to push through those moments of hesitation and trust that every step forward brings more clarity and strength.

What's something you hope people take away from the new single?

We hope people feel encouraged to keep moving forward, even when doubts creep in. “Weight of Doubt” is about believing in yourself when things feel uncertain, and we’d love listeners to walk away with a sense of strength and hope—that even small steps can lead to big transformations.

What did you allow yourself to do creatively for this song that you haven’t in the past?

With “Weight of Doubt,” we allowed ourselves to embrace more openness in the arrangement, letting the song breathe and build naturally instead of trying to fit it into a strict structure. We experimented more with dynamics, starting from an intimate, acoustic base and gradually expanding into something powerful and uplifting. We also gave ourselves the freedom to test the song live before finalizing it, which brought a new rawness and authenticity that we hadn’t fully explored in past recordings.

When you find yourself in a creative rut, what do you usually turn to? Any habits, environments or even non-musical sources that help you reconnect with your creativity?

When we hit a creative block, we usually step away from music for a while. We take time to absorb stories, experiences, or simply life itself, without putting pressure on ourselves. We don’t like to force the process; instead, we trust that inspiration will return. And when the muse finally visits again, we try to capture and make the most of it.

Do you have any favourite songs to perform live? It could be your own music or even a cover. Do you have any reason why?

The songs in our repertoire serve different purposes. Some are more emotional and take us to that goosebump zone of deep connection with the audience, while others are more upbeat and spread positive energy. We enjoy each song in its own context, and we love having that variation and dynamic in our shows.

Songs like “Lovin’” or “You Don’t Remember Anymore” allow us to dive into our souls, while tracks like “You Can’t Be Waiting,” “Fire Burning in My Veins,” and now the new single “Weight of Doubt” stir things up with their uplifting energy.

From time to time, we also like to enjoy classic covers such as “Stand By Me,” “Proud Mary,” “Jolene,” “I’m on Fire,” or “Hallelujah.”

If you could perform a show this very second anywhere in the world, where would it be?

We would choose the Newport Folk Festival in the United States. It’s such an iconic stage in the history of folk music—a place where legends like Bob Dylan helped redefine the genre, and where so many artists we admire have shared their songs. Playing there would feel like being part of that living legacy, connecting our music with an audience that truly values authenticity and storytelling.

Is there any particular venue(s) or city/cities that comes to mind?

Yes—a few dream venues immediately come to mind. The Royal Albert Hall in London would be an incredible milestone, blending intimacy with grandeur. The Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg is another, with its stunning architecture and world-class acoustics. On a more personal level, performing at the Coliseu do Porto in Portugal would also be very special, since it represents bringing our music to a historic stage in our own country.

What do you currently have planned for the remainder of the year? We have a couple more shows left from our acoustic theatre tour in Portugal, and after that, we’ll be focusing on preparing our European tour for 2026. Alongside the touring plans, we’ll also keep working on new songs throughout the rest of the year.

If your music were a type of food, what would it be and why?

Our music would probably be like a warm, homemade meal, simple at first glance, but full of layers and flavours that stay with you. It’s comforting and familiar, yet there are spices and textures that surprise you along the way.

What's the funniest thing that's ever happened to you while performing?

We actually have quite a few; our shows often take unexpected turns. Every time we step on stage, we say to ourselves, “This time we’ll behave,” but somehow we always end up going off track.

One of the funniest moments was during a song Marco was performing seated. As the music built in intensity, he stood up, carried away by the energy, and started playing passionately with the guitar. Evita thought the chair was getting in his way, so she quietly moved it back to give him more space. The problem was, Marco didn’t realize it. In his mind, the chair was still there. So when he tried to sit down at the end of the song, he completely missed it and fell straight to the floor. The whole band and the audience burst out laughing. Marco, doing his best to keep the show going, finished the song lying on the stage.

What's the most random thing that has ever inspired you to write a song?

Once, I had one of those dreams that made absolutely no sense. In it, I was having a conversation with an artist I’ve never actually met in real life, and suddenly he started humming a melody, saying it was a new song he was working on. In the dream, I was really struck by how beautiful it was. When I woke up, still half-asleep, I quickly recorded the melody so I wouldn’t forget it. That melody ended up becoming the chorus of our song “You Can’t Be Waiting.”

What's the most useless talent you have, and would you incorporate it into your music if you could?

I can make a whistling sound with my hands that’s almost identical to an owl. I’d never really thought about it before, but now that you mention it… Maybe I should try to sneak it into a new track one day.

Thanks for the time today, Marco and Evita. Is there anything else you may want to add that I didn't cover before you go?

We’d just like to invite readers to discover a bit of our music. You can listen here: https://nontalkers.com/visit-us/

Thank you so much for having us!