Rodrigo y Gabriela

Infobox musical artist
Name = Rodrigo y Gabriela


Img_size = 180px
Background = group_or_band
Years_active = 2000–present
Origin = flagicon|Mexico Mexico City, Mexico
Residence = Dublin, Ireland
Genre = Acoustic Folk rock
Label = Rubyworks
URL = [http://www.rodgab.com/ Official site]
Current_members = Rodrigo Sánchez (lead guitar) Gabriela Quintero (rhythm guitar)
Past_members =

Rodrigo y Gabriela are a Mexican musical duo who specialize in playing fast, rhythmic classical guitars. The duo's members are Rodrigo Sánchez, lead guitar, and Gabriela Quintero, rhythm guitar ('Y' is spanish for 'and'). The pair, now residing in Dublin, Ireland, are from Mexico City, Mexico.

History

The duo met in Mexico City while playing in a thrash metal band called "Tierra Acida". Growing frustrated with the limited scope of the domestic music scene, they pulled up roots and moved to Europe, where they have met considerable acclaim.

They took up residence in Dublin, Ireland, after hearing it was particularly welcoming to travelling musicians. Playing live gigs in various pubs and busking on Grafton Street and Temple Bar allowed them to practice their sound. They received their break when Damien Rice approached them to provide the support for Oxegen. In 2005 they toured extensively in festivals around the United Kingdom and beyond.

The duo had released three records - "Foc", "Live in Manchester and Dublin", and "re-Foc" - before recording their self-titled album "Rodrigo y Gabriela" which was produced by John Leckie. It entered the Irish Albums Chart at #1 beating The Arctic Monkeys and Johnny Cash to the top spot.cite web |url= http://www.charttrack.co.uk/index.jsp?c=p%2Fmusicvideo%2Fmusic%2Farchive%2Findex_test.jsp&ct=240002&arch=t&lyr=2006&year=2006&week=8|title= Top 75 Artist Album, Week Ending 23 February 2006|accessdate=2006-03-17 |date= February 23, 2006|publisher= ChartTrack.co.uk] It was released internationally on March 13th 2006, having been given an earlier Irish release. "Rodrigo y Gabriela" includes covers of Led Zeppelin's "Stairway to Heaven" and Metallica's "Orion". The duo list Metallica as being among their key influences, alongside other heavy metal bands such as Megadeth, Slayer, Testament and Overkill. The other tracks are original works inspired by the places they have been and the people they have met. Live in Japan is set to be released on October 20th (UK), and will include 14 tracks, and a bonus DVD containing 5 videos. [http://www.rodgab.com/japan.html]

The duo currently uses hand-made guitars produced by [http://www.franktateinstruments.com/instruments.htm Frank Tate] .

Their feature on MTV gave them a huge boost in popularity in the U.S.A.

Discography

Albums

*"Foc" (2001)
*"re-Foc" (2003)
*"" (2004)
*"Rodrigo y Gabriela" (2006)
*"Live in Japan" (2008)

References

External links

* [http://www.rodgab.com/ Official Rodrigo y Gabriela site]
* [http://www.muzu.tv/rodygab Video Channel on MUZU TV]
* [http://www.nochelatina.com/musica/archives/cd_spotlight_rodrigo_y_gabriela.aspx Album review on nocheLatina.com]
* [http://www.cluas.com/music/features/rodgab.htm An early career interview with Rodrigo y Gabriela]
* [http://audio.wnyc.org/soundcheck/soundcheck092606b.mp3 Interview on WNYC's Soundcheck.]
* [http://www.irlandeses.org/0703healy1.htm Interview with Gabriela for "Irish Migration Studies in Latin America journal", March 2007]
* [http://rodgab.com/downloads/rodgab_guitarworld.pdf Guitar World Interview]