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Serapicos

Biography

Serapicos is an alternative rock band from São Paulo, Brazil, formed in 2010 by brothers and songwriters Gabriel and Pedro Serapicos.[1] Coming out of the cosmopolitan urban scene of São Paulo, they quickly shaped a distinctive identity around what they themselves frame as “pseudo‑romantic” songs—lyrically playful, slightly off‑kilter narratives set against inventive rock arrangements. Gabriel initially gathered around fifteen songs in English to record the band’s first album, Serapicos is a town, establishing their authorial, cinema‑inflected approach early on.[1]

Over the next few years, Serapicos developed a more explicitly Portuguese‑language repertoire, culminating in the concept album 17 canções em português para ouvir antes de morrer – parte I (2013), recorded after winning the Lab MIS grant from São Paulo’s Museu da Imagem e do Som.[1] Critics and promotional materials describe their music as an inventive blend that coherently mixes the atmosphere of Coen Brothers films with deliberately kitschy romantic ballads, all filtered through a cosmopolitan rock lens.[1] By 2014, the live lineup had expanded beyond the founding brothers to include Matheus Souza (drums), Allan André (bass), Ana Guariglia (piano), Victória Vaz (vocals), and Caio Nazaro (guitar), giving their shows a fuller, more theatrical character.[1] While they remain a cult name rather than a mainstream act, their Lab MIS recognition, conceptual releases, and distinctive pseudo‑romantic style have secured them a small but devoted following in the Brazilian independent scene.[1][5]

Fun Facts

  • The album title 17 canções em português para ouvir antes de morrer – parte I (‘17 songs in Portuguese to listen to before you die – part I’) is deliberately tongue‑in‑cheek and ‘self‑explanatory,’ underlining the band’s darkly humorous, pseudo‑romantic aesthetic.[1]
  • Serapicos financed and recorded 17 canções em português para ouvir antes de morrer – parte I after winning the Lab MIS grant from São Paulo’s Museu da Imagem e do Som, a competitive public funding program for innovative audiovisual and musical projects.[1]
  • For the launch of their track and video “Buscopan” at Centro Cultural São Paulo, promotional material promised a ‘historic and danceable’ Sunday matinee show, jokingly comparing it to a Paul McCartney concert but ‘cheaper and without VIP area.’[1]
  • The band’s own description likens their sound to a cohesive mixture of Coen Brothers films and cheesy romantic ballads, reflecting their blend of cinematic references, irony, and heartfelt songwriting.[1]

Musical Connections

Key Collaborators

  • Gabriel Serapicos - Founding songwriter, vocalist and de facto bandleader collaborating closely with the rest of the group on compositions and recordings (Serapicos is a town; 17 canções em português para ouvir antes de morrer – parte I) [2010–present]
  • Pedro Serapicos - Co‑founding songwriter and core creative partner in shaping the band’s material (Serapicos is a town; 17 canções em português para ouvir antes de morrer – parte I) [2010–present]
  • Matheus Souza - Drummer providing solos and live rhythmic foundation for the band (Live shows around the release of 17 canções em português para ouvir antes de morrer – parte I) [c. 2013–2014]
  • Allan André - Bassist contributing the low‑end groove described as a strong, driving presence in the band’s sound (Live shows around the Lab MIS project and related releases) [c. 2013–2014]
  • Ana Guariglia - Pianist adding textures ranging from Jerry Lee Lewis‑style rock piano to more Chopin‑like passages (Live performances supporting 17 canções em português para ouvir antes de morrer – parte I) [c. 2013–2014]
  • Victória Vaz - Vocalist contributing additional, high‑intensity vocals described as powerful enough to ‘shatter glass’ (Live performances and arrangements during the Buscopan single launch period) [c. 2013–2014]
  • Caio Nazaro - Guitarist whose playing is characterized as ‘Tarantino‑like,’ adding cinematic guitar lines (Live shows around the Buscopan release and related material) [c. 2013–2014]

Connection Network

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Discography

Albums

Title Release Date Type
Amor A Otro Nivel 2021-02-26 Album
Amor A Otro Nivel 2021-02-26 Album
Aquí En El Rancho 2011-12-21 Album

Top Tracks

  1. Corrido Del Payaso (Corrido Del Payaso)
  2. La Panchita (La Panchita)
  3. El Comico (El Comico)
  4. Corrido Del Talacho (Corrido Del Payaso)
  5. El Regalo (Corrido Del Payaso)
  6. La Primera Con Agua (La Primera Con Agua)
  7. Borracho y Loco (Amor A Otro Nivel)
  8. Los Sueños De Mi Dama (Amor A Otro Nivel)
  9. Mi Virus (Mi Virus)
  10. Mi Ultimo Rezo (Amor A Otro Nivel)

Heard on WWOZ

Serapicos has been played 1 time on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station.

DateTimeTitleShowSpotify
Dec 20, 202514:23Verao pra SempreTudo Bem (Brazilian)w/ Dean Ellis