Volta Seca

Volta Seca formed in Salvador, Bahia in 1996, with João Gilberto Santos on vocals and guitar, Max Vianna on bass, and Marcelo Cavalcante on drums. Their name translates to 'dry spell,' a reference to the arid landscapes of northeastern Brazil where they came from. They drew on local rhythms like samba-reggae while mixing in rock and folk elements.

Their first album, 'Supernova Surf System,' came out in 1999, followed by 'Risco' in 2001 and 'Sem Saída' in 2003. The song 'Sabino e Lampião' became particularly well-known, telling the story of two historical figures from Brazil's northeast, Sabino dos Santos, a farmer who led a rebellion, and Virgulino Ferreira da Silva, the bandit known as Lampião. The track uses traditional northeastern rhythms to frame its lyrics.

Other songs like 'Mulher Rendeira,' 'Se Eu Soubesse,' 'Cobra D'água,' and 'Ia Pra Missa' round out their catalog. Their music often touched on social themes, though they kept their sound rooted in the regional styles they grew up with.