In the beginning, Fernando Almeida and Benke Ferraz almost didn’t make it out of the Brazilian basements where they recorded music on borrowed gear. They didn’t even have bandmates, or a band name, back then. Thankfully, that’s changed.

These days the boys — known as Boogarins — have some help (bassist Raphael Vaz, drummer Hand Coastro) and they’ve earned the adoration of music nerds across the globe thanks to a tropical-rock sound that can turn from contemplative to almost cacophonous in a heartbeat. Brian Mahar was there to watch Boogarins work through its catalog, and has these photos. Have a look below.