Expresso Rural

Origin

Florianópolis, SC

Also known as

Expresso

Years active

1981–2020

Genres

rock rural, folk rock, mpb

Instruments

vocals, guitar, bass, drums, keyboards, viola, harmonica, flute, saxophone, banjo

Biography

Formed in Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, in 1981, Expresso Rural emerged during the burgeoning festival scene in Brazil. The band's sound was shaped by the shared musical tastes of its founders, Zeca Petry and Daniel Lucena, who were inspired by groups like Almôndegas, Sá, Rodrix e Guarabyra, James Taylor, Cat Stevens, and America. This eclectic mix of influences laid the groundwork for what would become known as "Rock Rural," a style that would define their career in Santa Catarina.

Their debut album, "Nas Manhãs do Sul do Mundo," released in 1983, was met with significant anticipation and quickly became a bestseller in Santa Catarina, outperforming even Roberto Carlos at the time. Nine out of the ten songs from the album achieved top radio airplay in the state. Following this success, the band, with some lineup changes and the addition of Márcio Correa on keyboards, briefly adopted the name "Expresso" and recorded "Certos Amigos," which also became a major hit. The band even embarked on a tour in Spain and recorded in England, achieving notable sales figures.

Despite their success, the late 1980s saw the band take a hiatus, with members pursuing solo careers. Expresso Rural reunited in 1991 for live recordings and released "Romance em Casablanca" in 1993 before ultimately disbanding. The band's influence on the Brazilian music scene, particularly in Santa Catarina, remained significant. Tragically, the lead singer, Daniel Lucena, passed away in December 2020 after a battle with liver cancer, leaving a void in the music community that was deeply impacted by Expresso Rural's work. The band's legacy continues to be celebrated, with their music being re-discovered and appreciated by new generations.