Welcome back to our new series of musician and band profiles! These will be monthly articles sharing the stories and backgrounds of the people making the music we cover here at Blast Toronto.

– Lawrence, Contributing Editor

24. Sept. – Jojo and I had the pleasure of chatting with Fernando and Bela Ferreira, the sibling duo behind the Manic Boys and Girls Club. Meeting at the iconic Gladstone Hotel’s café in Toronto, we were there for a photoshoot with the duo, and to have a quick sit-down to chat about their music, creative influences, and backgrounds. It was fascinating to exchange our respective experiences in music and the industry, while also exploring how their unique cultural upbringing has shaped their identity and sound.

Childhood

Bela and Fernando were raised by their conservative, traditional Portuguese parents. Being first-gen immigrants to Canada, their parents were afraid the siblings would “lose our roots,” relates Bela. so they were frequently sent back to Portugal as kids.

This wasn’t just spending the summer and holidays in Europe, however. According to Bela, “we’d get the school [in Canada] to give us our next assignments,” and complete them in Portugal. “I don’t know how we didn’t get kicked out of school,” she jokes. This bicultural upbringing not only shaped their sense of identity but also led to a unique musical perspective that resonates with audiences across both continents. The band has used their connections to Portugal to build a dedicated following there, and they often give interviews in Portuguese with lusophone media.

Their Music

Fernando and Bela started this project amid the COVID-19 lockdowns. Born out of the pandemic, they started writing songs together shortly before everything shut down. From this start though, their music found its voice and footing.

“We’re not that great with communicating when we’re talking, so it comes out like therapy through music,” details Bela. For her and Fernando, the underlying tone of their music is hope. “We’re hopeful that we’ll reach our goals, that we’ll have a better future.”

Listening to songs like Last Train—incidentally, the first track Jojo heard from the group—you can pick up how their music communicates this. With its warm, upbeat melodies and emotionally charged lyrics, it embodies a mix of optimism and yearning. The synthpop-infused track Blacked Out takes this one step further, wrapping nostalgia in buzzing electric tones, befitting its lyrical exploration of place and memory: “I miss the place where I grew up, I miss the ones that I love.” The song resonates with over 88,000 listeners on Spotify, a testament to its relatability.

During our conversation, we delved into art, creative influences, and what it was like to balance different cultural identities. Their shared experience of navigating music scenes in both countries has given them a unique lens on how music can transcend borders and speak to universal emotions. It was refreshing to talk so openly about how these formative experiences have influenced their creative journey.

“I think a lot of our music is about getting out there and having those important experiences,” Bela reflects. This ethos, combined with their willingness to draw from an eclectic mix of influences, makes the Manic Boys and Girls Club’s music feel both deeply personal and invitingly universal.

According to Fernando, this ethos was even reflected in their name: “we just kind of wanted something that was like our lyrics, autobiographical and sincere.”

Final Thoughts

Music is a landscape where influences converge, evolve, and find new expression. The Ferreiras’ music paints a vivid picture of introspection and nostalgia, creating a style that is as warm and inviting as it is emotionally fraught.

Among the band’s influences are The National, whose sombre yet expansive soundscapes resonate deeply with Fernando, and Amy Winehouse, whose personal struggles and vocalisation have had a marked influence on Bela’s style. They also mentioned My Chemical Romance, John Frusciante of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, and the Flaming Lips as contenders.

Some of their audience have compared them to Jack White, while during the interview, Jojo brought up Tom Waits.

“Huge shoes to fill,” remarks Fernando.

The duo recently received Gussapolooza’s Artist of the Year award for their electrifying Friday night set, which captivated the festival crowd under the full moon. Their hit “Last Train” became somewhat of an anthem for the weekend, their rockstar energy on full display.

Up next, they’ve got a show on November 8th at the Horseshoe. Follow them on Instagram to keep up with all their upcoming shows and new releases.

Like what we do?

Blast Toronto makes all its articles available for free and is supported through contributions from its readers. Consider becoming a monthly member or giving us a one-time tip on Ko-fi! Your support helps us build Toronto and the greater area’s local scene.