With their iconic, vintage-inspired look, Hurricanes are establishing themselves as one of the best bands in the current Brazilian rock scene.
Originally from southern Brazil, the group released their second studio album Back to the Basement (2024), following the same good line as their self-titled debut work from 2023.
In the same year they released their first album, they were responsible for opening for The Black Crowes in São Paulo, and were praised by them.
In an exclusive interview with Wikimetal , guitarist Leo Mayer discussed the release, the aforementioned opening act, the band's look, and more!
When discussing the songs featured on Back to the Basement , he explains that, just like its predecessor, some songs were "left over," such as "Down the Street."
"Down the Street started being recorded for the first album, but we didn't think it was ready enough for the first one, so it ended up on this one."
Although the band's first album already showcased high quality, the second managed to raise the bar even higher. Their live performance, something they are well-known for, played a key role in deciding what would or wouldn't be included on the album, as some songs weren't quite "ready."
On Hurricanes' second album, they brought in some different elements, like acoustic guitars and electric pianos, and he sums up this novelty as something they felt was missing on the first one.
The time between the two releases was short, and they felt the impact: “While we were on the road promoting this album, we managed to take it to several cities and [we were] simultaneously composing and recording, so it was very hectic. It was something that took a toll on our health.”
“We got a little tired. So, the idea is for it to be quick, not to take too long, but I don't think we'll be able to maintain the same pace next year, but who knows. This one was kind of like that, we started recording and then it was already done, it was very fast.”
Speaking about the opportunity to open for The Black Crowes, Mayer described it as "a dream come true".
“We never believed it would happen. We always saw shows coming here and thought, 'Wow, we could open for that show.' It was always very difficult. Especially coming from Rio Grande do Sul, we didn't have much contact with other artists. And then when the invitation came, which was also very unexpected, it was at one of our shows. A couple of friends, who are now our friends, saw the show and said, 'Wow, you guys have to open for the Black Crowes,' and we were like, 'Wow! Awesome!' and so on, but we never imagined it could actually happen.”
He admits that the band wasn't 100% ready yet. The performance was 30 minutes long and featured original music, being the band's second concert, but that didn't prevent a good reception from the audience, who "really embraced" Hurricanes.
It's not just their sound that transports you back to the 1970s. Their look is also quite distinctive, and the guitarist explains that it's something: "natural, we don't think about it too much."
“We really like both the visual and the sonic aspects. A lot of people ask, I see in comments, 'hey, what do you guys want to do with the sound of the 1970s?' Like, that's it, you know? There's no way around it.”
“I like this, Rodrigo [ Cezimbra ] likes this, Henrique [ Cezarino ] likes this, and [ Guilherme ] Moraes likes this. So, it’s our thing, you know? If it sounds like that, well, I’m super happy. So, there’s no escaping it, you know? What we really love and what we do.”
READ ALSO: Hurricanes is a guest on The Wikimetal Happy Hour this Thursday, the 31st.
