Rio de Janeiro’s Oruã has firmly planted themselves in the Brazilian lo-fi music scene. Led by the talented guitarist and producer Lê Almeida, the band features former Built to Spill members and long-time collaborators João Casaes (synths), Bigu Medine (bass), and Phill Fernandes (drums). Their sound is a quirky mix of lo-fi indie rock, krautrock, noise, afrobeat, and Brazilian influences, from Luiz Gonzaga’s earthy Pernambuco vibes to classic Brazilian psych rock.
After rocking out with Built to Spill on tours across the US and Europe, Oruã is back with a fresh single, Miragem. This second offering from their upcoming album PASSE, which drops on July 19th, promises more of their signature genre-blending fun.
“Miragem was born near the sea, while three-quarters of the band lived together for some time,” says the band. “The lyrics combined feelings of relief and pain because we lived in paradise while we were also dealing with difficult events in our lives. It became a song about people who are down and how they can still help others who are also down.”
This single perfectly embodies the noisy, lo-fi experimental vibes that Oruã has been dishing out in the Brazilian underground scene for years. ‘Miragem,’ for those who don’t dabble in Portuguese, means “mirage.” Think of it as chasing an oasis in the desert, only to find out it’s all a cosmic joke.
The lyrics depict a state of emotional turmoil and uncertainty. Picture a mirage popping up, casting shadows and nudging you into some serious soul-searching. Even when faced with a path of indecision, there’s a relentless push to keep moving forward, pain and all. The refrain, “That’s where it hurt the most,” hammers home just how deep that struggle cuts.
Watch the video for “Miragem” below:
In 2019 Oruã’s sound was discovered by indie rock legend Doug Martsch of Built to Spill, which led to him inviting Lê and João to become temporary members of the 90’s indie rock band. Later, they recorded, co-produced, and co-mixed Built to Spill’s most recent album, When the Wind Forgets Your Name, released in 2022 on Sub Pop Records. Miragem was recorded in Cabo Frio with the support of André Medeiros, who worked as a sound engineer and mixer.
After touring extensively with Built to Spill and showcasing their high-energy shows in the US and Europe throughout the years, Oruã will return to the US in 2024 in support of PASSE, which comes out on Transfusão Noise Records. Their sound continues to mix the electric pulses of deconstructed guitars over a mesmerizing groove, taking both the audience and the band into a collective trance.
Pre-order PASSE here.
Oruã spoke with Post-Punk.com about the inspiration behind “Miragem,” as well as their upcoming tour with Dad Bod:
Where did the inspiration for “Miragem” come from?
Basically, the track is about insistence even in pain. It has Brazilian elements in the way it is sung and was composed near the sea.
“Who have been your musical inspirations?”
Lots of different things. We were brought up listening to 90s indie rock – Pavement, Guided by Voices, but we got deep into Fela Kuti and Afrobeat and Can and Krautrock. Since the beginning of the band we’ve managed to keep some elements of improvisation as part of the sound.
What part of your upcoming tour with Dad Bod are you most looking forward to?
In particular, we’re very excited about the start of the tour. It starts in Boise, a city where we have formed strong artistic bonds and friendships. There are many cities where we’ve played in the past and had great nights. Seattle, Chicago, Denver and New York are some of them. §
Watch a live session of “Miragem” from São Paolo below:
Oruã will be taking the noise on the road this summer, sharing dates across the US with Dad Bod. The tour kicks off in Boise, Idaho, just in time for their LP release, and hits major cities across North America.
Tickets, dates, and information can be found HERE.
Tour Dates:
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