Behind The Tracks: MATTILHA - Tempestade (Single) (2025)

About the Creative Process

Victor: The riff for the song Tempestade was created around 2016–2017 when we wrote an intro to open our shows for our second album, Crônicas do Underground. Since then, we have been trying to develop this riff, but we couldn't quite find the right path for it. Years later, in 2024, we went on a retreat, brought back the riff, and developed it in a more mature and collective way.

Ian: It was our first experience isolating ourselves from the world, taking a weekend where the whole band stayed together in one place with the sole purpose of making music. This was something we had wanted to do for a long time, and we realized that in the midst of our busy lives, the only time we can truly focus on making music is when we disconnect from everything else. The idea of doing a dedicated retreat for songwriting was an amazing experience. We were by the beach, and the ocean and the whole atmosphere ended up influencing the song’s theme and creation. We arrived on a Friday, and spent time listening to music and sharing ideas. On Saturday, we started trying to write, but the process was stuck. Later in the afternoon, we took a walk along the beach, and when we returned, we brought back this long-forgotten riff. From there, everyone started contributing, and it was incredible because it was the first time we had composed something together, all four of us at the same time. The sea, the pirate theme—it all made sense. It was a deeply enriching experience for the band.

Camilla: It was the first time we went through a songwriting process together from scratch. We isolated ourselves on the beach, and the sea’s energy helped everything flow more naturally. Through our conversations and idea exchanges, the phrase "I have been to places you wouldn’t want to be" emerged. From that line, the rest of the lyrics, along with the oceanic theme, came together smoothly. And that's how Tempestade was born.

Bibi: Our shared experiences, our daily lives—we all live and breathe art and music, which makes it hard to always align our schedules with the goals we set for the year. This trip, where Tempestade came to life, was more than just a creative moment; it was deeply emotional. It reflected what we feel through music and for each other. I think that’s one of the strongest things that has kept Mattilha alive for 14 years—this genuine bond we share. We’ve been through so much together, and this retreat put us in a very special space where we could celebrate our friendship, and our connection, which ultimately transforms into music. The result is phenomenal because we genuinely love each other.

About the Production Process

Victor: After the Coração Anárquico EP, the single Tempestade presents a new sound for Mattilha. We tuned down half a step, giving Bibi more range to work with his voice and explore a sound we hadn’t tapped into before. Baboom took on the production with us, guiding every small detail to make the song sound as impactful as possible—not just lyrically but instrumentally as well. It’s also the first time we stepped out of our standard 4/4 time signature. It was a challenging process, but we learned to respect what the song needed.

Ian: This is the fourth song we’ve made in this new phase of the band, continuing our work with Baboom as producer. We really connected with him—he nailed our sound. Once we had the raw material, he helped refine our ideas. This might be the first song where every single element was carefully thought out rather than just recorded spontaneously. That created a really immersive atmosphere. There are moments where you can literally feel the drums moving like a ship and the cymbals crashing like waves against its hull. This song puts you in that oceanic rhythm. We’re really proud of it because we’re pushing ourselves beyond our comfort zone, refining our craft with every new track we record.

Camilla: For Tempestade, we lowered the tuning, which gave the song more weight—something I personally love. It also created a better foundation for Bibi’s raspy vocals, allowing him to sing more comfortably. Baboom is an amazing person to work with. He creates such a light and relaxed environment and always adds those final touches that make a song shine. He picks up on details we might have missed, and those small tweaks make a huge difference. The result is a very dynamic song, where we can express different moods as the lyrics and instrumentation evolve.

Bibi: We’ve been working with Baboom for three years now, which is also when Cah joined the band. We’ve known him for over a decade, but things only came together at the right time. He absorbs everything we do and feels things deeply, just like us. It’s an intense creative process where we refine everything together. Honestly, he’s one of the most special people to come into Mattilha’s journey over the past 14 years. We’ve worked with many incredible people, and we’re grateful for all of them, but Baboom has been an essential part of our work these past few years. He notices things that we don’t. We record demos, refine them, and present them to him, and then he comes back with suggestions—small details that make a huge difference. They bring more feeling, life, and emotion to the music, always making complete sense. This has been one of the most rewarding aspects of the nearly four years we’ve been working together.

About the Lyrics

Victor: For me, the song is about navigating the depths of your emotions. It’s about going through tough experiences, taking hits in life, and realizing that once you awaken, you are the one who creates your own path. You take the wheel—you are in control of everything.

Ian: It was the first time the whole band wrote lyrics together, all at once. The night before, we had been discussing songs that tell stories—where you listen and can visualize a whole narrative. We wanted to bring that element into this song. When you hear it, you picture a pirate, but it also has a metaphorical meaning: navigating the seas of life. We all go through rough and smooth waters, learning with each storm that comes our way. You can listen to the song and see the imagery unfold. This was new for us—getting into more figurative storytelling, stepping out of our comfort zone, and pushing Mattilha’s sound in new directions. Our goal is simple: to make music that we love, that makes us happy, and that we enjoy creating. That’s what keeps us pushing ourselves to make each song better than the last. It’s a slow process—we’re not going to write 300 songs a year. But when we do release one, it’s because we’ve poured all our energy into it, thinking through every detail.

Camilla: The lyrics of Tempestade use metaphorical language. It’s about that moment in life when you have to go through challenges alone. Only you know the storms you've faced, the rough waters you’ve navigated. It’s about taking control—deciding to be the captain of your own ship, which is your life. It’s a very liberating realization, understanding that you have the power to steer your own course.

Bibi: Tempestade is the fourth song we’ve created since Cah (bassist) joined and Ian (drummer) returned, and it marks the most special, most exciting phase of Mattilha. There’s no comparison to our past—it’s just about how good we feel in this moment. Listening back to the Coração Anárquico EP, with songs like Kobra, Coração Anárquico, and Inabalável, and then hearing Tempestade, we feel like we’ve grown, like we’re on a whole new level. It reflects our artistic and personal evolution—the way we’ve exchanged ideas, absorbed life’s lessons, and connected with each other. This bond is what has kept Mattilha alive for 14 years. We hope you enjoy the song, connect with it, and experience it in your own way.