Villanova

Villanova formed in São Paulo around 2014, with Marcella Castro handling lead vocals and guitar. Their debut album 'Bye Bye Saudade' gave them an early foothold, its title track becoming one of their most recognizable songs. The band's sound leans on acoustic guitars and atmospheric keyboards, drawing from Brazilian traditions like bossa nova and samba without feeling like a strict revival.

Marcella's voice carries much of the emotional weight in songs like 'Estação do Amor' and 'Feito Tatuagem,' where themes of longing and memory surface regularly. The group includes Gabriel Rhein on guitar, Luiz Gabriel Lopes on bass, and Pedro Inoue on drums. They followed their debut with 'Horizonte,' which showed them stretching their arrangements while keeping the melodic core intact.

In 2017, Villanova faced plagiarism claims regarding 'Bye Bye Saudade,' but were cleared after an investigation. The episode didn't derail them, and they kept writing material that felt both personal and rooted in São Paulo's musical landscape. Tracks like 'Garota da Capa' and 'Eu Não Sou de Ferro' have stayed in their setlists, reflecting the steady, unflashy way they've built an audience.