The journey of the Minas Gerais-based Brazilian rock band Máscara begins with drummer Welberty Ferraz , known as Betinho , occasionally playing with a band of doctors.
It was during these rehearsals, accompanying her husband and making some guest appearances, that Thaís Araújo , vocalist of Máscara, began to take an interest in forming her own band, and started to improve her technical skills. She took six months of singing lessons with teacher OG Martins before forming the project, and after taking over as lead singer of Máscara, she spent another year working with vocal coach Nina Guimarães .
Pitty cover band arose not only from mutual admiration for the artist, one of the greatest representatives of Brazilian rock, but also because Belo Horizonte, where they lived, had a well-established scene in the cover band market.
What started as a hobby took a new turn when the city hall of Baldim (MG) hired them for a show in a public square. The responsibility of the event made the members see a potential beyond the unpretentious rehearsals, transforming the project into something more serious.
Visual identity
From the start, Thaís and Betinho planned something more than just a cover project. That's why they chose the name Máscara — inspired by a Pitty song — which worked for both covers and original work.
The visual identity didn't come about organically. The logo was created by a professional designer, and the prototype, at Betinho's request, was a mask formed from part of a skull (symbolizing equality) with a gaze that suggested madness. While passing by a carnival supply store, they found a mask very similar to the logo and saw an idea there. At shows, the accessory is always present on the microphone stand, with Thaís greeting the audience wearing it at the end—a gesture that has become the group's trademark.
With the couple's presence in the motorcycle club circuit, being part of the movement and having friends within that community, the band quickly gained a full schedule, playing at events of this nature in various places.
Thaís Araújo (Banda Máscara). Credits: Press Release
Members and evolution
The Máscara lineup went through changes. The first bassist was Alan Souza Silva , a longtime friend of Betinho, originally from Bambuí (MG), the hometown of the couple and the musician. On guitar, Matheus “Matheuzim” , from Santa Luzia (MG), joined, who also saw the band as a hobby.
According to Betinho, at first everything was casual, but the project gained seriousness. With Alan and Matheuzim, the band won the contest at the “34th National Motorcycle Meeting of Formiga (MG)”. The prize covered the trip, accommodation and the production of the music video for their original song “Voz Sem Alma” (Voice Without a Soul).
Changes in training
Alan left the band after receiving a job offer outside of Belo Horizonte, which made it impossible for him to stay. Matheus, in turn, also went his own way.
Subsequently, Yuri Aquiles took over on bass and Bruno Motta was responsible for guitar for a few months, until the release of the band's first original single.
Recently, founders Betinho and Thaís decided to no longer have permanent musicians for string instruments, opting for a more flexible lineup to ensure greater scheduling freedom.
Máscara is no longer a Pitty cover
In 2024, Máscara decided to invest in their own material. Betinho composed the first single, "Voz Sem Alma" (Voice Without a Soul), inspired by themes such as artificial intelligence (very relevant in his profession and academic background) and also had some insights from the series Black Mirror .
“When writing the lyrics, the Black Mirror series came to mind a lot, but I wanted to bring it to a more current moment. I also didn't want to establish a female or male gender — whoever listens will identify with it,” explains Betinho.
Released on March 5, 2025, the song was produced by André Mendonça (also producer of the heavy metal band Caóticca , from Belo Horizonte). The music video, directed by Wally Guedes and released on March 21, has a very contemporary visual style, representing the chaos and danger of technological immersion that many young people and adults experience today. The sentimental confusion between what is real and what is not.
Upcoming shows and future plans for the band Máscara
Amidst a creative process that demands considerable dedication, Máscara still managed to open up some dates in their schedule, and their show today is a mix of reinterpretations of great hits that have marked generations with their own repertoire, seeking modern arrangements and investing in audiovisual work to expand their reach. The band is already preparing the release of their second single, "Tanto Faz," composed by Betinho and Thaís, and they promise another strong theme, maintaining the critical and current style that marked "Voz Sem Alma.".
- April 30th: Bambuí (MG) – concert with Biquini Cavadão
- 17/05: São Mateus (ES) – performance with Lobão
- 07/06: Nazareno (MG) 10th National Motorcycle Meeting
- 21/06: Furquim (MG) – 19th Anniversary of Divino Estradeiros
The goal is clear: to break down borders and win over new audiences, bringing Máscara's rock music to all of Brazil.
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