Azul Effect

Azul Effect formed in 1997 when three childhood friends, Fernando Anitelli on vocals and guitar, Mauro Manhães on bass, and Paulo Brazão on drums, started playing together. They began as Caveira Mecânica, performing in local bars and clubs around Brazil while developing their sound. It took several years before they found their footing.

Their self-titled debut album arrived in 2004, anchored by the single "Ainda Que Ainda," which became widely known across the country. Other songs like "Jardim" and "Processo de Solidão" helped define their early work, which blended rock and pop with some electronic touches. The band faced plagiarism accusations around this time, which they denied, but the attention didn't stop their momentum.

They kept recording through the late 2000s and early 2010s, putting out albums like A Fúria and A Máquina do Tempo. Anitelli wrote most of their material, often dealing with themes of solitude and reflection, as heard in tracks like "Tempo de Rasgar, Tempo de Costurar." Outside the band, he sometimes spoke about his experiences with depression, which resonated with some listeners.

Azul Effect released another album called O Amanhã in 2023. They still play shows and put out music, working as a trio the whole time.