Banda do Mar

Origin

Rio de Janeiro, RJ

Years active

2014–2015

Genres

mpb, indie pop, alternative rock

Instruments

acoustic guitar, electric guitar, drums, vocals

Biography

Banda do Mar was a Portuguese-Brazilian musical project formed in May 2014 by musicians Marcelo Camelo, Mallu Magalhães, and Portuguese drummer Fred Pinto Ferreira. The group united the trajectories of Camelo and Mallu, who had already collaborated at various moments in their solo careers, such as on the famous track "Janta", from Marcelo Camelo's album Sou, in addition to the musician's strong production on Mallu Magalhães's album Pitanga. With the addition of Fred Ferreira, known for his work in projects like Orelha Negra and Buraka Som Sistema, the trio gained a unique sound that moved between indie pop and MPB.

In August 2014, the group released their self-titled debut album through the record label Sony Music, preceded by the release of hit tracks such as "Mais Ninguém" and the single "Hey Nana". The album achieved great public and critical acclaim, being voted the fourth best national album of 2014 by Rolling Stone Brasil magazine, in addition to winning a special blue vinyl edition by Revista NOIZE. Impelled by the success of the new material, the musicians embarked on a tour that passed through more than forty cities between Brazil and Portugal, including a memorable performance on the main stage of the Lollapalooza Brasil festival in March 2015.

After performing 54 concerts, the members announced an indefinite hiatus for the project following the closing show held in Lisbon on September 9, 2015. Although ephemeral, Banda do Mar left an indelible mark on contemporary Portuguese-Brazilian music, further consolidating the artistic ties between the two countries through the compositional sensitivity of artists like Marcelo Camelo and Mallu Magalhães, and the rhythmic background of Fred Ferreira.