Brazilian duo Thales Posella and Beto Ferrari—with bassist Marcio Herzer and vocalist Jonas Ariel—originally debuted as The Mavens Telescope in 2015 with “The Seed of True Existence.“ After a hiatus, they reunited in 2020 to record Endurance, released March 25, 2025. Blending Atmospheric textures, powerful melodies, and philosophical
storytelling, the album marks a fresh chapter.
What inspired you to revive The Mavens Telescope in 2020 after several years away, and how did the reunion with Marcio come about?
Thales: “Our debut album, The Seed of True Existence, came out in 2015, but just a year later, a falling out between me and Jonas led to a painful, forced hiatus—especially after all the work we’d put into that record.After a couple of years of reflection, I started getting song ideas again, but it took a while to feel mentally ready to bring the band back. Around 2020, after long conversations with Beto Ferrari, we felt the time was right to return to the studio. Bringing Marcio back wasn’t even a decision—it was a given. He’s not only an amazing musician but was also instrumental in shaping the sound and feel of our debut with his tone and personality. It just felt natural to have him on the second album too.“
“Endurance“ explores deep philosophical themes, can you share which ideas or experiences guided the album’s narrative?
Thales: “The past ten years of my life have been the most challenging and bizarre in many ways. Experiences like that naturally push you toward introspection and self-awareness. I don’t typically write just about my own life; I prefer exploring the human experience more broadly. I often challenge myself by writing from perspectives different from my
own. For instance, Never the Same is about a blind person asking a friend to describe a sunset. Finding Solace puts me in the shoes of a war widow who finds out she’s pregnant and searches for peace after losing her husband. I’m neither blind nor a woman, but the goal is to explore deep, universal aspects of the human condition.“
How did your songwriting partnership evolve compared to the debut record, both in terms of creative roles and studio workflow?
Thales: “The first album was a clear collaboration between me and Jonas—we shared lyric-writing duties about 50/50, and while I wrote most of the songs, he contributed significantly. On Endurance, Beto and I co-wrote Defying Time. I only had a rough riff and demo, and he helped bring it to life. I also worked with my friend Ian Mhlanga from Zimbabwe, who co-wrote lyrics and melody on The Void—he did an incredible job. Beyond that, most songs started with me—writing the harmony, lyrics, and melodies. Once I had demos, I’d bring them to Beto and Marcio, who added their personalities, ideas, and outstanding musicianship during the recording sessions.“
Which tracks on “Endurance“ best capture the band’s signature sound, and why do they stand out for you?
Thales: “That’s a tough question, because each song has its own identity and came from a different place creatively.
But if I had to choose, Never the Same—our first single—was selected to introduce the album’s sonic landscape. I’d also point to Defying Time as a track where our Progressive Rock influences are most evident. That said, this album is meant to be experienced as a whole, ideally with headphones while reading the booklet.“
You recorded over a period spanning the pandemic, did that context influence the album’s mood or production choices?
Thales: “Definitely. I’m sure Beto would’ve been more present physically and we would’ve worked more closely if it weren’t for the distancing we had to go through. That said, the themes and lyrics themselves weren’t directly influenced by the pandemic.“
The Mavens Telescope mixes Progressive and Alternative Rock, how do you balance expansive arrangements with concise, melody-driven hooks?
Thales: “That’s always been a tricky one for us. We come from very diverse musical backgrounds, so it’s hard to pin down just one style. Even back during the first album, we landed on Alternative Rock as a general label, but I’ve never been totally convinced that’s accurate. With Endurance, I definitely leaned more into my progressive rock instincts while writing. So yes, it can be classified as Prog Rock—but there are also elements of Art Rock and Alternative Rock, who knows? 😀 That’s why I simply listed the genre as “Rock” on streaming platforms. I’d rather let listeners decide for themselves.“
The digital booklet adds visual and lyrical depth, how did you approach the artwork and liner notes to complement the music?
Thales: “After the fallout with Jonas led to the band’s breakup, I kept picturing the tree from the debut album’s cover being cut down. Eventually, I realized that was my brain giving me a metaphor. Years later, when new songs were taking shape and Beto and I were committing to a full- length, I envisioned a sprout growing from that fallen tree. That’s where the album title came from—Endurance. Despite everything, the tree lives. We’re still here. I took it upon myself to design and edit the cover art, using a Wacom tablet and images I created with the help of AI-based tools like Stable Diffusion. In the end, I arrived at a result I’m genuinely proud of. In the booklet credits, you’ll see a note mentioning that AI was used for the album coverartwork—but rest assured, no AI was involved in the musical process whatsoever.“
Have you planned any live performances or special events to bring “Endurance “to the stage, and how will you recreate its layered sound?
Thales: “We’d love to tour and bring this music to as many people as possible, but we’re still in the planning stages—figuring out the support band before moving into rehearsals and live shows.“
Looking beyond “Endurance,” are you already developing new material or side projects inspired by this creative resurgence?
Thales: “The album’s still very fresh—it’s been out for less than two months—so not yet, haha. We’re focusing on this release for now before diving into new material. 😀“
How do you hope listeners engage with the philosophical undercurrents of the album, and what takeaways would you like them to have?
Thales: “I hope these songs inspire reflection—and that people can connect with them in a way that helps them, just like I use music, as a kind of therapy.“
Thank you for sharing your insights. We look forward to witnessing how “Endurance “and The Mavens Telescope’s next steps resonate with fans and new listeners alike.
Thales: “Thanks to Prog Rock Journal—I really enjoyed answering these questions, and I hope your readers/listeners enjoy our music.
Until next time,
Best regards.“
Purchase and Stream “Endurance” here: https://mavens.fanlink.tv/endurance