Los Hermanos
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1997 |
| Founder | Marcelo Camelo, Rodrigo Amarante, Rodrigo Barba, Bruno Medina |
| Headquarters | Rio de Janeiro , Brazil |
| Products | Music albums, singles |
| Website | loshermanos |
Los Hermanos is a rock ensemble originating from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, established in 1997 by Marcelo Camelo (vocals/guitar/bass), Rodrigo Amarante (guitar/bass/vocals), Rodrigo Barba (drums), and Bruno Medina (keyboards/keyboard bass). Presently on an extended break, their live performances occur infrequently.
Although the group is Brazilian, their name is derived from Spanish, meaning "the brothers," instead of the Portuguese equivalent "Os Irmãos."
Formation and initial period (1997–99)
During their time at Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro, Marcelo Camelo, studying journalism, and Rodrigo Barba, a psychology student, created a band that combined hardcore elements with romantic lyrical content. Later, keyboardist Bruno Medina, who was pursuing advertising studies, joined the lineup. With further additions such as Rodrigo Amarante and Patrick Laplan on bass, and after earlier horn players departed, they produced the demos "Chora" and "Amor e Folia" in 1997. These recordings gained momentum within Rio's underground music circles, earning them invitations to prominent independent festivals including "Superdemos" and Abril Pro Rock.
First album and breakthrough hit "Anna Julia" (1999–2001)
Their demo tapes attracted the attention of Paulo André, producer of Abril Pro Rock, which helped them secure a performance slot at the influential Superdemo festival. The band's self-titled debut album released in 1999 achieved significant commercial acclaim, largely driven by the successful single "Anna Júlia". This track fused lyrics reminiscent of Jovem Guarda with elements of rock, ska, and samba. Produced by Rick Bonadio—renowned for launching high-selling artists—he convinced the group to feature "Anna Julia" on their record.
The single gained extensive nationwide radio play, leading to performances at a variety of venues ranging from sports arenas to festivals hosting crowds exceeding 80,000 attendees, alongside frequent television appearances. Its music video starred actress Mariana Ximenes and was heavily broadcast on networks such as MTV. Within twelve months, the album sold 300,000 copies and delivered two popular singles: "Anna Julia" and "Primavera." It received a Grammy nomination in 2000 and won "Best Song" at the Multishow awards, surpassing formidable competitors like Chico Buarque. Camelo expressed astonishment at winning over such respected musicians.
Despite the overwhelming popularity of "Anna Júlia," which some critics labeled them as a one-hit wonder, Los Hermanos sustained both fan loyalty and critical praise with their follow-up projects. The track has been extensively covered internationally, including a version by Jim Capaldi featuring a guitar solo from George Harrison, marking Harrison's last recorded contribution.
Bloco do Eu Sozinho (2001–03)
Building on their initial success, the band released Bloco do Eu Sozinho in 2001, marking a stylistic transition from hardcore punk toward an integration of rock with samba and other Brazilian musical traditions. Bassist Patrick Laplan departed due to creative disagreements and went on to establish Eskimo. Although commercial sales decreased and performances shifted to smaller venues, the band cultivated a devoted audience. Singles such as "Todo Carnaval tem seu Fim," "A Flor," and "Sentimental" achieved modest recognition despite limited radio exposure. Guitarist Rodrigo Amarante took on a more significant songwriting role with contributions like "Retrato Pra Iaiá" and "Cher Antoine." The group expanded their reach through appearances at events like "Fordsupermodels" and MTV's Luau, which was subsequently released on DVD. While critically acclaimed and now considered one of Brazil’s premier rock albums, Bloco do Eu Sozinho faced promotional challenges due to disputes with their label Abril Music.
Ventura (2003–05)
Issued in 2003 through BMG (currently Sony Music), Ventura further explored the band's blend of samba, choro, and bossa nova elements. While it did not achieve the same commercial heights as their debut album, it reinforced their position as a leading alternative rock group in Brazil, earning acclaim for its intricate lyrics and seamless integration of Brazilian rhythms with rock music.
Originally named "Bonança," the album was leaked during its early production phase. The tracks varied from the samba-tinged "Samba a Dois" to the pop rock style of "O Vencedor." The album's main single, "Cara Estranho", gained substantial radio airplay and earned award nominations. Rodrigo Amarante contributed five out of the 15 songs, establishing himself as a prominent songwriter alongside Marcelo Camelo. Significantly, singer Maria Rita recorded three compositions by Camelo on her debut release. The subsequent tour attracted a loyal following and resulted in the live DVD "Live at Cine Íris," which predominantly featured material from Ventura. Additionally, the band composed the soundtrack for Eduardo Valente's short film "Castanho," highlighting disco influences.
At the 2003 VMB awards, singer-songwriter Caetano Veloso introduced Los Hermanos with a humorous gesture that keyboardist Bruno Medina later described as "awkward." In January 2004, they appeared on Brazil's major TV program Domingão do Faustão, performing "Anna Julia" at the insistence of presenter Fausto Silva—a choice Medina defended despite some fan disapproval.
In July 2004, lead singer Marcelo Camelo was assaulted by Chorão of Charlie Brown Jr. at Fortaleza airport, leading to legal proceedings and compensation for damages. This confrontation arose after Camelo and Amarante publicly criticized a Coca-Cola advertising campaign featuring Charlie Brown Jr.
Both Bloco do Eu Sozinho and Ventura were included in Rolling Stone magazine's 2008 ranking of The Top 100 Brazilian Albums of All Time, securing the 42nd and 68th spots respectively.
4 (2005–07)
Los Hermanos released their fourth studio album, 4, in 2005, once again produced by Alexandre Kassin. This record showcased a more reflective tone with an increased influence from MPB, although critics described it as somewhat "uneven." Songs such as the acoustic "Sapato Novo" and the bossa nova-infused "Fez-se Mar," paired with nostalgic lyrics penned by Camelo and Amarante, marked a stylistic shift that polarized listeners. The hit single "O Vento," written by guitarist Rodrigo Amarante, was followed by releases like "Condicional" and "Morena," whose music videos were recorded live in a single take.
In 2006, the band toured Portugal alongside The Strokes for a second time and also performed in Spain with Portuguese group Toranja.
Recess and hiatus (2007–)
On April 23, 2007, after ten years of continuous activity, Los Hermanos announced an indefinite break to concentrate on individual projects, stressing that no internal disputes were involved. Their final performances before this pause occurred in Rio de Janeiro from June 7 to 9. During the hiatus, vocalists pursued solo ventures: Camelo released Sou (2008) and Toque Dela (2011), while Amarante formed Little Joy with Fabrizio Moretti and Binki Shapiro, participated in Orquestra Imperial, and launched his solo debut Cavalo (album) in 2013. Drummer Rodrigo Barba became involved with bands Jason and Canastra.
In 2009, Los Hermanos appeared at "Just a Fest" events held in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro alongside Kraftwerk and Radiohead; however, Bruno Medina indicated there were no plans for new studio recordings. They also performed at the 2010 SWU Music & Arts Festival plus additional concerts without declaring an official reunion.
For their 15th anniversary in 2012, the group embarked on a tour covering thirteen cities across Brazil.
In December 2014, Los Hermanos headlined three shows at Marina da Glória as part of Rio de Janeiro’s celebrations for its 450th anniversary in 2015. Following over 27,000 fan requests for additional performances via crowdfunding platform Queremos!, the band extended their tour to eight more cities and added a fourth date at Marina da Glória due to overwhelming demand.
In 2015, Marcelo Camelo and his wife, singer-songwriter Mallu Magalhães, welcomed their first child and moved to Portugal.
In 2019, Los Hermanos reunited for live concerts across nine Brazilian cities as well as at Lollapalooza Argentina. To commemorate this comeback, they released their first new single in fourteen years titled "Corre, Corre."
Current Lineup
- Marcelo Camelo – guitar, lead vocals, bass (1997–present)
- Rodrigo Amarante – guitar, lead vocals, bass (1997–present)
- Bruno Medina – keyboards, backing vocals (1997–present)
- Rodrigo Barba – drums (1997–present)
Touring Musicians
- Gabriel Bubu – bass, guitar, vocals (2001–present)
- Marcelo Costa – saxophone, clarinet (2001–present)
- Valtecir Bubu – trumpet (1999–present)
- Mauro Zacharias – trombone
Past Members
- Patrick Laplan – bass (1997–2001)
Timeline
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bar:MCamelo text:Marcelo Camelo bar:RAmarante text:Rodrigo Amarante bar:BMedina text:Bruno Medina bar:PLaplan text:Patrick Laplan bar:RBarba text:Rodrigo Barba
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Studio Albums
| Year | Title | Record Label |
|---|---|---|
| 1999 | Los Hermanos | Abril Music |
| 2001 | Bloco do Eu Sozinho | |
| 2003 | Ventura | BMG |
| 2005 | 4 | Sony BMG |
Singles
| Year | Single Title | Album Appearance |
|---|---|---|
| 1999 | "Anna Júlia" | Los Hermanos |
Additional Reading
- Livro Los Hermanos: Turnê 2012 (Photography by Caroline Bittencourt, Automatica Publishing, 2015)