Graveola

Graveola is a Brazilian group from Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, active since 2004. The band was formerly known as Graveola e o Lixo Polifônico and is associated with MPB.

Style and influences

The group is known for a varied approach to genres, instrumentation, tone and arrangement. Its sound draws on classic MPB and tropicália, with influence from artists and groups such as Caetano Veloso, Gilberto Gil, Tom Zé, Sérgio Sampaio, Clube da Esquina, Novos Baianos and Gal Costa.

Career

Graveola releases six studio albums over more than a decade of activity. After appearing at several major music festivals in Brazil, it makes its first international tour in 2012, performing in several European countries. In the same year it receives a nomination for the Brazilian Music Award in the Best Group category.

In 2015 the group records the EP London Bridge, which contains four tracks and an intro. It is recorded live in London over two days during a European tour and is produced by Mais Um Discos. The EP reflects a changed line-up close to the band’s current formation, bringing in Gabriel Bruce, Luiza Brina and Ygor Rajão alongside Luiz Gabriel Lopes, José Luiz Braga and Bruno de Oliveira.

In 2016 the band releases Camaleão Borboleta, its sixth work and the first under the shortened name Graveola. The album contains 10 tracks, is produced by Chico Neves, and is built from material developed during 2015. The song “Talismã” is recorded with Samuel Rosa. On this release, the group describes its music as even more tropically oriented, with direct references to Afro-Brazilian rhythms and a Latin influence.

Collaborations and performances

Musicians who perform with or alongside the band include Tom Zé, Emicida, O Terno, Gaby Amarantos and Jards Macalé. Graveola also collaborates with Samuel Rosa, Octavio Cardozzo and Uyara Torrente, the singer of A Banda Mais Bonita da Cidade.