Cara de Espelho brings together six illustrious figures of Portuguese music, combining the best of both worlds: the words and compositions of Pedro da Silva Martins (author and composer of Deolinda, Ana Moura, António Zambujo, Lena d’Água), accompanied by the purpose-built instruments and arrangements of Carlos Guerreiro (Gaiteiros de Lisboa, José Afonso, Fausto, GAC), the bass of Nuno Prata (Ornatos Violeta), the guitars of Luís J Martins (Deolinda, António Zambujo, Cristina Branco), and the percussion of Sérgio Nascimento (Sérgio Godinho, David Fonseca, Humanos, Deolinda) to serve the unmistakable voice of Maria Antónia Mendes (A Naifa, Señoritas).
The band made their intentions clear in October 2023 with “Corridinho Português” and “Político Antropófago”, the two singles that served as a preview for the self-titled album released in January 2024. Portuguese popular music then gained a new project with a very original sound, mixing tradition and contemporaneity in a delightful cocktail.
Live, in addition to the twelve tracks that make up the Cara de Espelho album and explore different sounds, both acoustic and electric, somber or celebratory, the band performs unreleased, unedited tracks to surprise the audience and provide absolutely unforgettable shows, where the sharp criticism of intervention music is not lacking, with a strong inspiration from great national performers like Sérgio Godinho, Fausto, or José Mário Branco.
The summer of 2024 was a period of great intensity for Cara de Espelho, marked by performances at the country’s major festivals. The band took to the stages of FNAC Live, Festival MED (Loulé), FMM Sines, and Bons Sons, among others, captivating audiences with electrifying performances and a unique stage presence. As a reflection of this success, the group received two nominations for the Iberian Festival Awards, in the categories of Best Live Performance (PT/ES), highlighting Cara de Espelho‘s impact on major stages and celebrating their energy and creativity.
After a year that solidified Cara de Espelho’s status as one of the most relevant groups in Portuguese music, the band enters 2025 full of artistic vigor. The new singles, “O Que Esta Gente Quer” e “Elefante no Hemiciclo,” and the invitation to perform in June at the MEO Kalorama festival are proof of that.
«So how are expectations fulfilled? Precisely by fulfilling them. It seems redundant, but it’s just putting into practice a modern yet ancient reality. Seeing our particular face in the common mirror. The mission is well executed from the start, I say. And in that, I agree with myself, as surely many people will.» Sérgio Godinho
PRESS QUOTES
«Cara de Espelho: Songs that go to battle. The band is new but we know its elements well. Cara de Espelho promises to stir the waters with combat music, as poetic as it is interventionist.» Visão
«From the ashes of Deolinda or A Naifa, Cara de Espelho is not just a supergroup. It’s a ‘blood transfusion’ in Portuguese music.» Expresso
«Cara de Espelho: Intervention music that came ‘to annoy.’ Bringing together people from Deolinda, Gaiteiros, A Naifa, Ornatos Violeta, and They’re Heading West, they are born from the urgency of putting political song in the service of the fight for democracy. With identifiable targets.» Público
«On stage, they prove that the title of ‘supergroup’ is no exaggeration.»
Observador
«This is sophisticated music, mostly composed by Pedro da Silva Martins, but elevated by the superb arrangements of the entire band.»
Observador
«The provocative lyrics reflect contemporary society […] They are intelligent, creative, elevated, yet humorous. […] They touch on raw issues with elegance — politically charged, but with refined subtlety.»
Observador
«Essential music made by people like us, and that so accurately reflects our times.»
Observador
«What they do is protest music […] Their songs target the Portugal of our discontent — and their own fury — with punk soul and popular verve, angular guitars and bagpipes, flutes, and instruments invented by Guerreiro.»
Público
«They speak of inequality, of advancing touristification, of totalitarian threats returning. They speak about us — and do it brilliantly. A finely tuned, sharp and intense band.»
Público