Deolinda was founded in 2006[2][3] as an acoustic group[4] named after a fictional young woman, who loves fado and comments on contemporary Portugal.

[5][6][8] Deolinda’s work also integrates other musical styles, including pop, folks and blues, but they do use only acoustic instruments.

[6][7][8] Their work is an indirect form of protest music, which has its roots in the música de intervenção tradition of Portuguese folk musicians, before the 1974 Carnation Revolution, which ended five decades of dictatorship.

One of their most popular songs, Parva que sou, has become a kind of anthem for students and young people frustrated with the lack of economic opportunities.

[6][7] Most of their work is written from the perspective of a fictional young woman named Deolinda, created by the group’s songwriter Pedro da Silva Martins.

[3] Deolinda lives with her cats and goldfish in a Lisbon apartment, watching the world through her window and commentating on what she sees.

"[6][8] While the band members can play a variety of instruments, they stick to two guitars, a double bass and vocals in order to travel light.

[6] Music magazine Songlines named the group the best world beat newcomer after the release of the 2008 album, Canção ao lado.