Dônica

Origin

Rio de Janeiro, RJ

Years active

2014–present

Genres

progressive rock, mpb, rock, alternative rock

Instruments

drums, piano, vocals, guitar, bass

Biography

Dônica is a Brazilian musical group formed in 2014, known for blending progressive rock with influences from the iconic Clube da Esquina movement. The band features Tom Veloso as a songwriter and member, André Almeida on drums, José Ibarra on lead vocals and piano, Lucas Nunes on guitar, and Miguel Guimarães, also known as Miguima, on bass. Despite initial media attention regarding familial ties—specifically Tom Veloso being the son of Caetano Veloso—the band quickly carved out its own artistic space, performing at major festivals such as Rock in Rio and Lollapalooza.

Over their years together, members of Dônica have branched out into notable independent projects and high-profile collaborations within the Brazilian music scene. José Ibarra notably joined Milton Nascimento's touring band, receiving widespread acclaim for his vocal performances. The group has also shared the stage with legendary artists like Caetano Veloso and Milton Nascimento, while building close artistic ties with contemporary acts such as the São Paulo-based trio O Terno.

In 2018, the group released their debut album titled Continuidade dos Parques, followed by the acoustic double single Dônica no estúdio Mangolab in 2019. This release featured a stripped-down guitar-trio rendition of their earlier song "Bicho burro" alongside the previously unreleased track "Você ainda existe." Managed by Paula Lavigne, Dônica continues to represent a vibrant bridge between traditional MPB lineage and modern Brazilian alternative rock.