Rodrigo Y Gabriela

The Mexican classical mavericks dissect the key ingredients behind the cross-genre fusions that saw them relocate halfway across the world and win hearts with their sheer virtuosity…

- Amit Sharma

Guitar duos rarely come as sonically expansive as Rodrigo Sánchez and Gabriela Quintero. Following the dissolution of their heavy metal four-piece Tierra Ácida in 1997, the pair decided to switch electric noise for nylon acoustics and go it alone, eventually relocating some 5,000 miles from Mexico to Ireland in order to pursue their new shared ambition. From busking on the streets of Dublin to topping the Irish charts in 2006 with their self-titled second album, performing in front of presidents and scoring for Hollywood blockbusters, their success serves as a stark reminder for how taking creative risks can pay unforeseen dividends. On the UK visit ahead of releasing fifth full-length Mettavolution, the two guitarists reflect on their journey so far and explain how the two-pronged attack of Gabriela’s engine-room rhythms and Rodrigo’s fret-burning leads brought mainstream success...

You’ve said in the past that you don’t consider yourselves flamenco or typically Latin musicians...

Gabriela: “That’s true, a lot of people think we play Mexican or South American music… but we don’t! Our influences come across all sorts of different genres. It’s not just that one style. Like a lot of kids around the world, we grew up listening to rock bands. I think a good role model for us in terms of Mexican music would be Carlos Santana. He’s an incredible rock guitarist; we are very proud of Carlos Santana. So he influenced us in the sense of being a role model, plus he plays with a lot of feeling and emotion.”