Do you have a story behind your artist name?
It’s actually a very simple story, because the name has been with us since we were kids. We started playing music when we were around 12 or 13 years old, maybe even a little earlier, and we’ve kept the same name ever since.
“Banda” simply means “band” in Portuguese. “AL” comes from “Alameda,” which is the type of street we grew up living on. In Portuguese, “Alameda” is commonly abbreviated as “AL,” similar to how “Avenue” can be abbreviated as “Ave.” in English.
The “9” comes from the movie School of Rock. There’s a scene where Jack Black’s character says that nine is the magic number. We grew up watching that movie, and we always loved the number nine, so we decided to keep it.
So the name Banda AL9 has been part of us since we were very young. Even when we started writing and recording songs in English, we never translated the name. It became our proper name and stayed with us.
Tells us a bit about your music journey. How has it shaped you?
Although the name Banda AL9 has been with us since we were kids, the current project with the two of us, Matheus and Thiago, started in 2017. We began by recording simple guitar-and-vocal covers for Facebook and YouTube, but we had always loved writing our own songs. In 2018, we started releasing original music, and by 2019 we had released our first EP.
Things really started growing in Brazil through social media, especially with our 2023 album Amor É A Lei. One of the songs, “Chama de Amor,” became a big viral hit, which eventually caught the attention of Steve Aoki. He invited us to perform with him at Tomorrowland Brazil in 2023 and later created a remix of the song.
That experience opened our eyes to the international audience and encouraged us to start thinking more globally. We created an English version of “Chama de Amor” called “She Calls Me Love,” and Steve Aoki also created a remix of our English version. In 2024, we released Love Is the Law, the English version of Amor É A Lei, and continued building an audience outside Brazil.
We also collaborated with artists such as Nasri from MAGIC and American country singer Ruby Leigh. By 2025, we felt it was time to focus fully on English, and we started writing songs directly in English rather than translating them.
Later that year, we recorded our version of “She Can Do It All,” written by Kurt Baker and Wyatt Funderburk. Kurt introduced the song to Wicked Cool Records, and Steven Van Zandt loved what he heard and signed us to the label. We released our album with Wicked Cool in 2026, and Steven even wrote a song especially for us, which was a huge honor.
Also in 2026, Elton John praised our music on his Apple Music radio show Rocket Hour, which was an incredible moment for us.
The whole journey has taught us to keep evolving, take chances, and stay true to who we are. We’re very excited about the future and feel that this is only the beginning.
How would you describe your sound to someone unfamiliar with it?
We would describe our music as happy, uplifting, and energetic. We love making songs that put people in a good mood and make them want to sing, dance, or simply feel better.
Sometimes we receive messages from people who are having a difficult day or going through a hard time, saying that they listened to one of our songs or watched one of our videos and it helped them feel better. That means a lot to us. There’s really nothing better than knowing that our music can bring some happiness to someone when they need it.
That’s what we want our music to do: make people feel good.
What drew you to the genre /instruments you’re playing right now?
We’ve been listening to rock our entire lives. Our parents are big rock fans, so we grew up listening to rock, watching DVDs, and being surrounded by that music from a very young age.
We are brothers, and our father also plays guitar as a hobby. He taught Matheus, the older brother, how to play, and then Thiago, the younger brother, learned from him as well. So music and guitars were always part of our lives.
We really connected with the sound of 1960s rock, especially the vocal harmonies. We felt that our voices worked really well together, and that became a big part of our identity as a band.
At first, we both wanted to play guitar, so we had to figure out who was going to play what. Eventually, Matheus took the guitar and Thiago took the bass. We both sing as well, and having the guitar, bass, and our two voices together just felt right.
What inspires you to write music?
It really depends on the song. Some of our songs are inspired by real stories, while others come from completely made-up stories or ideas.
Sometimes Matheus starts a song on his own and we finish it together. Other times, Tiago starts one and we develop it together. There isn’t really one specific way we write.
We also create all of the arrangements ourselves. We think about the instruments, harmonies, and overall arrangement as we develop each song.
What is always the same is that we finish the songs together. No matter who starts the idea, the final song is always a Banda AL9 song.
Would you tell us about your current project, album/EP, or song you’re promoting?
Right now, we’re promoting our album Hey! Hey! We’re Banda AL9, released in July 2026 through Wicked Cool Records.
The album includes some of our previously released English songs, but with new mixes, new mastering, and even some new elements added to the recordings. The idea was to give these songs a fresh sound while introducing them to a wider audience in the United States and around the world.
We also released “She Can Do It All,” our first single with Wicked Cool Records, in February. Another very special song on the album is “Indigo Skye,” which was written by Steven Van Zandt specifically for us. Having him write a song for Banda AL9 was an incredible honor.
We’re currently promoting the album, and it has been going really well. It’s also our first album released physically on both vinyl and CD, and the physical editions have been selling very well. We’re really happy with how everything has been going.
In November, we’ll be touring the United States with The Burkharts to promote the album. The tour is called Hey! Hey! We’re Banda AL9 and The Burkharts, and we’re really excited to bring the music to audiences across the country.
What do you want listeners to take away from listening to your music?
We want people to feel lighter, happier, and more positive after listening to our music. Our songs often deal with simple, joyful, and uplifting subjects, and we want to bring that same feeling to the listener. We hope our music can give people a little escape from their everyday lives, make them smile, sing along, and leave them with a good feeling.
Who are your top three artists right now? If that’s not a fair question, what’s your favorite song right now?
The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, and The Beach Boys.
What’s the easiest way for fans to connect with you?
The easiest way to connect with us is through Instagram, especially by sending us a direct message. We’re building a really great and growing fanbase, and we love hearing from the people who listen to our music.
We receive a lot of messages, so sometimes we can’t respond to everyone, but whenever we can, we love to take the time to read the messages, reply, and talk with our fans.
Connect with Banda AL9:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bandaal9oficial/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/intl-pt/artist/1IbLVq7OjqcArp3TkgfaOX
What’s next for you?
We’re planning not only our upcoming U.S. tour in November, but also tours in other countries. At the same time, we’re already working on our next album, which will feature completely new songs.
We’re really excited about what’s coming next and looking forward to sharing more new music and taking Banda AL9 to even more places around the world.
Anything else you’d like to add or let us know about?
We just want to thank everyone who is reading this and everyone who has been listening to our music and supporting Banda AL9. We can promise that there are some really exciting things coming, with lots of new music and new experiences ahead.
We’re very grateful for everyone who has been part of this journey so far, and we truly feel that this is only the beginning.
Bio:
Banda AL9 is a Brazilian rock duo formed by brothers Matheus and Thiago Khouri. Since its formation in 2017, the group has developed a distinctive sound that combines the energy and melodic influence of 1960s rock and roll with contemporary elements of indie rock and power pop. Through consistent artistic activity, original releases, and live performances, Banda AL9 has established itself as an emerging act within the Brazilian music scene while steadily expanding its international audience.
Throughout its career, the duo has maintained an active release schedule, including the albums Amor É A Lei (2023), Love Is The Law (2024), O Nono Rei (2024), and The Ninth King (2025). The band’s catalog features both Portuguese and English-language material, reflecting its commitment to reaching audiences beyond Brazil and developing an international artistic presence.
In addition to its recording activities, Banda AL9 has performed extensively throughout Brazil, appearing in multiple cities and regions across the country. The band has maintained a continuous live performance history since its formation, participating in concerts, festivals, public events, and special appearances that have contributed to the development of its audience and professional reputation.
Banda AL9 has also gained recognition through collaborations and appearances alongside internationally recognized artists. Following Steve Aoki’s remixes of the band’s original songs “Chama de Amor” and “She Calls Me Love,” Banda AL9 was invited to perform with the artist at Tomorrowland Brasil. The collaboration later resulted in an official EP release and was followed by another live appearance alongside Steve Aoki at Allianz Parque during CarnaUOL. These activities expanded the band’s visibility and introduced the band’s music to broader audiences.
The band further strengthened its international profile through collaboration with Nasri, lead vocalist of the internationally successful band MAGIC!. Together, they co-wrote, recorded, and performed the song “I Promise You That,” further expanding Banda AL9’s international artistic network and collaborative portfolio.
In 2026, Banda AL9 signed with Wicked Cool Records, the New York-based record label founded by Stevie Van Zandt. The signing marked an important milestone in the group’s artistic development and international growth. Through this partnership, the band continued expanding its reach beyond Brazil while developing new projects for international audiences.
Banda AL9 has also received recognition from respected figures and platforms within the music industry. The band’s recording of “I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend” received international attention after being featured on Elton John’s Rocket Hour program on Apple Music, where the track was highlighted and praised by the artist. The group has additionally been featured by major media outlets and industry platforms, including Billboard Brasil.
Continuing its momentum, Banda AL9 released its first full-length album through Wicked Cool Records, titled Hey! Hey! We’re Banda AL9, on July 17, 2026. The release represents another significant step in the band’s international development and ongoing artistic career.
Today, Banda AL9 continues to grow its audience through live performances, recorded music, international collaborations, and digital platforms. With more than two million followers across social media platforms and a growing catalog of original work, the band remains committed to expanding its artistic reach and building a lasting presence in the global music community. The band is also scheduled to tour the United States in November 2026 with The Burkharts as part of the Hey! Hey! We’re Banda AL9 and The Burkharts tour.
