More Than Music: The World According to DJ Bruno Zarra

Roots and Rhythm

Bruno comes from the small town of Almodôvar, in Alentejo, but has been living in the Algarve for many years. I met him in Vilamoura, as this is his current residence. Bruno's parents decided to move to Switzerland when he was 3-years-old. He went to school there and his connection to Switzerland remains strong until now. After several years, they returned to Almodôvar.

Bruno has always loved music. “Music has always been part of me. Even as a teenager, I was throwing little parties for friends at home. At sixteen, I played for the first time in Almodôvar.” He remembers that the money he got for a driving license from his grandparents, he spent on musical instruments, instead, and had to confess to his mum later, when the time to pay for the driving license came.

His love for music continued to grow and soon he was not playing only for his friends but also at various venues. Everything happened naturally and currently, he performs across the Algarve in the summer months and in Switzerland during the winter.

In summer, he works almost nonstop, performing every evening at a different venue around the Algarve. This summer, you could see him once a week at Rosa Branca Rooftop in Quarteira or at Restaurante Cuíca Praia in Albufeira. His favourite event so far was the Black&White party in Carvoeiro. “The amount of people and the atmosphere were magical and being on the stage felt like a huge responsibility.” His biggest dream is to play at Tomorrowland, and of the places outside of Portugal, he enjoyed performing the most on a small beach in Ibiza.

Studio Life: Creating the Sound

He has a recording studio at home where he creates his own music and also produces for other musicians. Bruno’s record label is called Cadência Music, which he co-owns with a DJ called Sylva Drums. His productions have been supported by big names of the industry such as Paco Osuna, Chus & Ceballos, Pablo Fierro and others. The quality of his productions began to be recognized by the International Dance Scene, releasing music in renowned labels such as Stereo Productions, Pacha Recordings, and Magna Recordings, among others. DJ Chus, a famous Spanish DJ and producer, was his big influence for a long time and now Bruno collaborates with him.

Bruno creates true musical journeys and I can confirm that from my personal experience. His DJ sets are a fusion between the past and the present of electronic music, seamlessly, always keeping a natural, organic musical aspect. With tribal drums, soulful vocals, and ethnic rhythms, Bruno creates immersive, world-inspired DJ sets.

“I love to feel the vibe and the energy of the people and I like to share happiness.“

Bruno’s motto

His dream is to create a studio in another location, which he could share with other DJs and help new musicians, knowing how difficult beginnings can be. “You need to give before you can receive. Give without expectations or other intentions.” — Bruno’s motto for music, life, and community.

“Sometimes I feel lost in this new age, where social media and appearance mean more than anything else. Nowadays, even for DJs, how many followers you have can matter more than the quality of your performance. This makes me feel sad and I decided to not share anything from my private life; my Instagram account is strictly professional.”

During the pandemic, when clubs were silent, Bruno turned his creativity to a new project: t-shirts for a community of people who like to go to parties and listen to techno and house music. The brand took off unexpectedly well, but after quarantine ended, Bruno had to come back to his usual responsibilities, and unfortunately, currently, he doesn‘t have time for his clothing line called Under.ground.

Beyond the Decks: A Double Life

Speaking about his career as a DJ, Bruno suddenly asked me, “And do you know what my daytime job is?” I was surprised to learn that Bruno has another profession and he works as a dental care designer, making dental implants. He started this job in an HG Premium Lab ten years ago, when his friend invited him to join the company. He underwent different courses and attended schools in Madrid and Lisbon. Their company is based in Quarteira and they make implants for numerous dental clinics in the Algarve, Alentejo and also other regions of Portugal. Bruno is a person for whom it is very difficult to disconnect and do nothing.

“I find it hard to stop, even on a break, I am thinking about music or work.” He was able to meet with me just because he had a summer break from his day job, but after our chat, he was heading to a performance in Quarteira.

Moments That Matter

One of the turning points in Bruno‘s life was when he performed in a club in Mozambique. After leaving the venue, he saw children who were hungry, cold, and without proper clothing. They asked him for money to get some food, but after he gave some, a lot of people suddenly appeared, taking money from the kids, asking for more. The poverty was shocking compared to the amount of money he saw people spending on food or bottles of champagne in the Club. He left confused and it took him a long time to process the experience. While we don't have the power to change certain things as individuals, Bruno tries not to take anything for granted and supports people who are in need whenever he can.

Fast Facts about Bruno Zarra

Hometown: Almodôvar, Alentejo
Current Base: Vilamoura, Algarve
Day Job: Dental technician (implants)
Music Passion: DJing in Algarve summers & Switzerland winters
Dream Gig: Tomorrowland
Favorite Event: Black & White Party, Carvoeiro
Motto: Give before you can receive
Hidden Talent: Running a music-inspired t-shirt brand

Tereza Pedro is originally from Slovakia and now based in the Algarve, with a master’s in mass media. Passionate about lifestyle and storytelling, she captures the essence of daily life through a blend of creativity, international perspective, and coastal living—all while raising her son.