Joyce Moreno reflects on the sexism, political repression and industry resistance she faced while becoming one of Brazil’s leading singer-songwriters. Now 78, she says younger Brazilians may not understand the experience of losing democracy, having lived through the country’s military dictatorship as her career developed; her story also highlights the barriers faced by women creating music in their own voice.

Moreno began performing as “Joyce” in the 1960s and drew criticism at 19 for singing candidly from a female perspective. She resisted pressure to present herself as a stereotypically sexualised performer, sued a record label after it shared her song blueprints with another singer, and says she was subsequently boycotted by major labels for a decade. Despite this, she has written more than 400 songs and released over 30 albums; her new record, *Joyce & Tutty Moreno*, is made with her longtime partner, jazz drummer Tutty Moreno.