Rodrigo y Gabriela

  • Mexico City, Mexico
    hometown
  • Rock
    genre
  • 2000
    started
  • Bio
    full story
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About Rodrigo y Gabriela


Before they became the most visible flamenco duo of the early 2000s, guitarists Rodrigo Sanchez and Gabriela Quintero bonded over heavy metal while growing up in Mexico City. They combined their talents for a time in the metal group Tierra Acida, playing around D.F. in the roughest clubs the city had to offer. Though they recorded some material, Tierra Acida never hit it big, and an album was never released. Instead, Sanchez and Quintero concentrated on learning more guitar styles, teaching lessons during the day, and playing bossa novas in hotel bars at night. Bored and frustrated with their chances in the Americas, the two decided to try their luck in Europe instead.

Rodrigo y Gabriela traveled to Dublin, where a friend had offered them a place to stay. The musicians spoke no English, carried little money, and upon their arrival found that their offer of European hospitality had vanished. The pair soon turned toward busking on the streets of Dublin, a move that enhanced their reputation and helped land them several contacts. Among their newfound friends was fellow busker Damien Rice, who soon asked them to accompany him on tour. The Mexican duo had, by this time, developed a large repertoire of original material in a variety of styles, and they released their debut record with 2003's Re-Foc. A concert album, Live: Manchester and Dublin, followed one year later.

Rodrigo y Gabriela became the newest fixture of the world music circuit, known for their nimble-fingered guitar work and diverse background (few flamenco guitarists could boast a background in metal music). Their third album, Rodrigo y Gabriela, was released in 2006 and debuted atop the Irish charts, beating out Arctic Monkeys for the number one spot. They continued to tour, making their way through Japan (as evidenced by their second live album, Live in Japan) and America, and 11:11 expanded their discography upon its 2009 release. The duo went on a touring hiatus in September 2010 due to stress injuries to Gabriela's hand. In January of 2011, they collaborated with film composer Hans Zimmer on the score for Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, which was released in May of that year, followed by Live in France, a document from the 11:11 tour that like the studio album, mixed Rodrigo y Gabriela's dazzling nylon-string guitar chops with electric six-strings for a dueling shredfest.

Since their inception, the pair had always envisioned working in Cuba. They recruited pianist and arranger Alex Wilson to come up with charts for a new set of songs. Wilson and the duo worked out a set of tunes, rhythms, and charts in three days in Mexico City, then Wilson went on to Cuba to hire a band. From June through September, the duo recorded with Wilson and C.U.B.A. (Collective Universal Band Association) in Havana, with producer Peter Asher. A number of special guests joined the proceedings as well, including Anoushka Shankar, flamenco and jazz bass legend Carlos Benavent, former Testament and White Zombie drummer John Tempesta, Le Trio Joubran, and Los Van Van drummer Samuel Formell Alfonso. The resulting album, Area 52, was released in January of 2012. ~ Evan C. Gutierrez, Rovi

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Music

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  • Hanuman
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    Hanuman
  • Hanuman
    rodrigo-y-gabriela
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    Hanuman
  • Tamacun (Live)
    rodrigo-y-gabriela
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    Tamacun (Live)
  • Satori
    rodrigo-y-gabriela
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    Satori
  • Ixtapa
    rodrigo-y-gabriela
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    Ixtapa
  • Viking Man
    rodrigo-y-gabriela
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    Viking Man
  • Tamacun
    rodrigo-y-gabriela
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    Tamacun
  • Diablo Rojo (Live)
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    Diablo Rojo (Live)
  • 9386050
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    • Diablo Rojo
      http://listen.vo.llnwd.net/g1/9/9/8/0/4/991940899.mp3
    • TamacĂșn
      http://listen.vo.llnwd.net/g1/7/6/2/0/4/991940267.mp3
    • Stairway to Heaven
      http://listen.vo.llnwd.net/g1/2/7/7/9/3/991939772.mp3
    • Hanuman
      http://listen.vo.llnwd.net/g1/1/7/3/8/2/242428371.mp3
    • Santo Domingo (feat. C.U.B.A.)
      http://listen.vo.llnwd.net/g2/9/0/9/0/6/886060909.mp3
    • Orion
      http://listen.vo.llnwd.net/g1/3/7/9/9/3/991939973.mp3

Interviews & Exclusives

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  • 'Hanuman'
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    'Hanuman'
  • 'Atman'
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    'Atman'
  • Rodrigo y Gabriela Love Jimi Hendrix
    rodrigo-y-gabriela
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    Rodrigo y Gabriela Love Jimi Hendrix

Photos

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  • Gabriela Quintero and Rodrigo Sanchez of Rodrigo y Gabriela perform during the 2008 Virgin Mobile Festival at Pimlico Race Course on August 9, 2008 in Baltimore, Maryland.
    Rodrigo y Gabriela
    Gabriela Quintero and Rodrigo Sanchez of Rodrigo y Gabriela perform during the 2008 Virgin Mobile Festival at Pimlico Race Course on August 9, 2008 in Baltimore, Maryland.
    C Flanigan/Getty Images
  • Rodrigo y Gabriela
    Courtesy of ATO Records
  • Rodrigo y Gabriela

News

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  • Rodrigo y Gabriela
    Morrissey, Rodrigo y Gabriela, Mos Def Contribute to Vote Latino Efforts
    Paste
    Vote Latino organization is working to encourage Latino participation in the upcoming U.S. Census. To do that, the group has enlisted a long list of p...
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  • Rodrigo y Gabriela
    C.U.B.A. Will Back Rodrigo y Gabriela On the Road
    www.jambands.com
    Rodrigo y Gabriela have confirmed an extensive series of dates in support of their forthcoming studio album Area 52. As previously reported, the Janua...
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  • Rodrigo y Gabriela
    Testament's Alex Skolnick Joins Rodrigo y Gabriela at Radio City
    www.jambands.com
    Rodrigo y Gabriela headlined New York's Radio City Music Hall on Friday night. The show was part of the band's Area 52 tour which features the expansi...
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  • Rodrigo y Gabriela
    Keller Williams Reviews Bassnectar, Bela Fleck and The Flecktones and Rodrigo y Gabriela
    www.jambands.com
    as "a music lover first, musician second and songwriter third." So it is no surprise that the multi-instrumentalist makes time to see some live music ...
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  • Rodrigo y Gabriela
    Rodrigo y Gabriela take int'l sound to Bonnaroo
    music.yahoo.com
    RELATED CONTENTView Photo Rodrigo of Rodrigo Y Gabriela and C.U.B.A. perform during the Bonnaroo Music and ...View Photo Rodrigo Y Gabriela and C.U.B....
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  • Rodrigo y Gabriela
    Black Keys, Alabama Shakes, Rodrigo y Gabriela, Cake and More to Play First Bottle Rock Napa Valley Fest
    www.jambands.com
    The Black Keys, Alabama Shakes, Cake, The Flaming Lips, Rodrigo y Gabriela, The Shins, Ben Harper and Mavis Staples are among the first acts to be con...
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  • Rodrigo y Gabriela
    Robert Plant & Sensational Space Shifters, Rodrigo y Gabriela, Slightly Stoopid, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Robert Randolph and More Confirmed for JamBase Live
    www.jambands.com
    Robert Plant, Michael Franti, Rodrigo y Gabriela, Slightly Stoopid, Robert Randolph & The Family Band, G. Love & Special Sauce and STS9 are among the ...
    Read More
  • Rodrigo y Gabriela
    David Byrne & St. Vincent, Big Head Todd & The Monsters, Rodrigo y Gabriela, Cake, Drive-By Truckers and More Confirmed for The Ride Festival
    www.jambands.com
    David Byrne & St. Vincent, Big Head Todd & The Monsters, Rodrigo y Gabriela, Cake and Drive-By Truckers are among the acts slated to appear at the sec...
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Tour Dates

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  • Jul 5 Friday
    George, WA, US Gorge Amphitheatre
    Buy Ticket
  • Jul 6 Saturday
    Troutdale, OR, US Mcmenamin's Historic Edgefield Manor
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  • Jul 7 Sunday
    Jacksonville, OR, US Britt Festivals Gardens and Amphitheater
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  • Jul 9 Tuesday
    San Francisco, CA, US Nob Hill Masonic Center Auditorium
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  • Jul 10 Wednesday
    Saratoga, CA, US Mountain Winery
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  • Jul 12 Friday
    Salt Lake City, UT, US Red Butte Garden
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  • Jul 14 Sunday
    Los Angeles, CA, US Hollywood Bowl
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  • Jul 16 Tuesday
    Mesa, AZ, US Mesa Arts Center
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  • Jul 17 Wednesday
    Tucson, AZ, US Rialto Theatre
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  • Jul 19 Friday
    Dallas, TX, US Winspear Opera House
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  • Jul 20 Saturday
    Austin, TX, US Austin City Limits Live at The Moody Theater
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  • Jul 21 Sunday
    Houston, TX, US House of Blues
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  • Jul 23 Tuesday
    St Louis, MO, US The Pageant
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  • Jul 24 Wednesday
    Chicago, IL, US Chicago Theatre
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  • Jul 26 Friday
    Kansas City, MO, US Uptown Theater
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  • Jul 28 Sunday
    Morrison, CO, US Red Rocks Amphitheatre
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  • Jul 31 Wednesday
    Royal Oak, MI, US Royal Oak Music Theatre
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  • Aug 2 Friday
    Philadelphia, PA, US The Electric Factory
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  • Aug 3 Saturday
    Boston, MA, US House of Blues
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  • Aug 4 Sunday
    North Bethesda, MD, US The Music Center at Strathmore
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Discography

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  • Area 52 (2012)
    Rodrigo y Gabriela
    Area 52 (2012)
  • Live in France (2011)
    Rodrigo y Gabriela
    Live in France (2011)
    RED Distribution
  • 11:11 (2009)
    Rodrigo y Gabriela
    11:11 (2009)
    Pias
  • Live in Japan (2008)
    Rodrigo y Gabriela
    Live in Japan (2008)
    Ruby Works
  • Rodrigo y Gabriela (2006)
    Rodrigo y Gabriela
    Rodrigo y Gabriela (2006)
    Sony Music Distribution
  • Re-Foc (2004)
    Rodrigo y Gabriela
    Re-Foc (2004)
    Ruby Works
  • Live: Manchester and Dublin (2004)
    Rodrigo y Gabriela
    Live: Manchester and Dublin (2004)
    Ruby Works
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