Mulamba
| Company type | Music group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 2015 in Curitiba, Brazil |
| Defunct | 2023 |
| Headquarters | Curitiba , Brazil |
| Products | Rock and MPB music |
Mulamba was a Brazilian ensemble specializing in rock and MPB, established in 2015 in Curitiba. This all-female collective, including both production and touring personnel, centered their work on subjects such as violence against women, women's empowerment, sexism, and gender equality.
Origins and Name (2015–2018)
Mulamba originated on December 10, 2015, in Curitiba, initially serving as a tribute to Cássia Eller. The lineup included vocalist Cacau de Sá from Pelotas and guitarist/bassist Naíra Debértolis from Porto Alegre, both cities located in Rio Grande do Sul.
The choice of the name "Mulamba" aimed to subvert its derogatory connotation—once used to describe someone "sloppy, disorderly, unattractive, and malodorous"—transforming it into a representation of empowerment and leadership.
Prior to Mulamba, Debértolis and vocalist Amanda Pacífico had collaborated in Orquestra Friorenta. They joined forces with Sá, cellist Fer Koppe, and drummer Caro Pisco, who had previously worked together in Farrapos and Watch Out for the Hounds.
Mulamba Era (2018–2020)
After securing a fan-voted performance spot at the Vento Festival in São Sebastião, São Paulo, Mulamba shifted focus to original compositions and recorded their debut album at a Red Bull studio. Released on November 2, 2018, the self-titled record featured guest appearances by Juliana Strassacapa (Francisco, el Hombre) and Lio Soares (Tuyo). Their visibility surged notably following the release of the "P.U.T.A." music video.
Though initially intending to release an EP produced by Du Gomide in early 2017, the project was postponed until the full album's launch in 2018. In October of that year, Mulamba took part in Spotify's "Escuta as Minas" initiative, which spotlighted female artists within Brazilian music alongside names such as Elza Soares and Karol Conka.
In April 2019, the group revealed plans for a sophomore album and unveiled "Dandara," a track confronting violence targeting travestis and LGBTQ+ individuals. That August, they supported Pitty during her Matriz Tour concert in Curitiba and performed at an event in Florianópolis commemorating former president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's birthday during his imprisonment.
During the COVID-19 lockdown period, members Pisco and Debertolis remained together in Curitiba. While Pisco focused on learning music software, Debertolis and Sá collaborated remotely on new compositions using WhatsApp.
Será Só aos Ares and Disbandment (2022–2023)
In 2022, Mulamba released their second studio album titled Será Só aos Ares, a palindrome meaning "[It] Will Be Only to the Airs." This record included collaborations with artists such as Luedji Luna, BNegão, Kaê Guajajara, MEL (formerly of Banda Uó), Caramelows, and Agnes.
By May 2023, the band announced their dissolution through Instagram, describing it as a moment to "hit the brakes" and allow for "a new awakening." They subsequently conducted three farewell concerts in São Paulo during the following month.
Musical Style, Themes, and Influences
Mulamba's sound integrates diverse genres including heavy metal, hard rock, MPB, funk carioca, classical music, guitarrada, cumbia, samba, gospel, rap, funk, and batuque. Their inspirations encompass carimbó, samba, classic rock, blues, rap, alongside classical traditions.
The band's lyrics emphasize issues like violence against women, female empowerment, sexism, and gender equality. Their songwriting often explores relationships between women as well as specific societal matters such as the Mariana dam tragedy and police violence in Vila Vintém. Cellist Fer Koppe is also linked with the Free the Nipple campaign.
Their musical influences span from Cássia Eller to Rita Lee; Astor Piazzolla; Tuyo; Gal Costa; Marisa Monte; Elza Soares; Édith Piaf; Nina Simone; Aretha Franklin; Pitty; and Francisco, el Hombre—demonstrating a rich fusion of Brazilian and international artists that shape both their sound and message.
Current lineup
- Amanda Pacífico — lead singer (2015–2023)
- Cacau de Sá — vocalist (2015–2023)
- Érica Silva — electric and acoustic guitars, bass (2018–2023)
- Naíra Debertolis — electric and acoustic guitars, bass (2015–2023)
- Caro Pisco — drummer (2015–2023)
- Fer Koppe — cellist (2015–2023)
Past member
- Nat Fragoso — guitarist (2015–unknown)
Studio albums
- Mulamba (2018)
- Será Só aos Ares (2023)
Singles released
- "P.U.T.A." (2016)
- "Desses Nadas" (2018)