World Music Wednesday is a new weekly segment on The North 103.3 FM. Every Wednesday at 4pm on Northland Afternoon, we will feature a brand new release or a significantly important past work from our vast library of music from around the world.
This week's World Music Artist Spotlight is Rodrigo y Gabriela.
Rodrigo y Gabriela (Rodrigo and Gabriela) are a Mexican acoustic guitar duo whose music is influenced by a number of genres including flamenco, rock, and heavy metal. Hailing from Mexico City, the duo met at age fifteen and performed in various bands in Mexico, before relocating to Dublin, Ireland in 1999 to try their musical luck in Europe.
Despite not speaking any English, the duo spent time performing in Irish pubs and busking on the street, when they caught the attention of fellow musician Damien Rice who asked them to open for him on tour.
Worldwide recognition soon followed, and Rodrigo y Gabriela became known for their electrifying live shows and acoustic guitar virtuosity. They often pay homage to some of their favorite artists by reinterpreting cover songs in a flamenco guitar style. The duo has covered Led Zeppelin, Metallica, Snarky Puppy, Kamasi Washington, and Radiohead, to name a few.
For their 2019 album Mettavolution, the duo won the Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Instrumental Album, and features an epic twenty-minute version of Echoes by Pink Floyd.
They have performed at the White House and played sold out shows at major venues like the Hollywood Bowl with the LA Philharmonic, Red Rocks Amphitheatre, London’s Royal Albert Hall, Radio City Music Hall, and the Sydney Opera House.
Rodrigo y Gabriela have just released their latest album In Between Thoughts…A New World on ATO Records.
Support for World Music Wednesday comes from Simply Ballroom in Duluth's Craft District.
