Rodrigo y Gabriela

Rodrigo y Gabriela
Rodrigo y Gabriela in April 2012
Background information
Origin	Mexico City, Mexico
Genres	Acoustic, folk, instrumental rock, flamenco rumba
Years active	2000 (2000)–present
Labels	Rubyworks, MapleMusic (Canada)
Website	rodgab.com
Members	Rodrigo Sanchez Gabriela Quintero

Rodrigo y Gabriela (Rodrigo and Gabriela) are a Mexican acoustic guitar duo whose music is influenced by a number of genres including nuevo flamenco, rock, and heavy metal. The duo's recordings consist largely of instrumental duets on the classical guitar. Currently residing in Mexico City, they began their career in Dublin, Ireland, during an eight-year stay. They have released five studio albums, three live albums and one EP. In 2011 they collaborated with Hans Zimmer on the Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides soundtrack while also contributing to the soundtrack for the Shrek prequel Puss in Boots. They have toured internationally and in May 2010, performed at The White House for President Barack Obama.

Rodrigo Sánchez (born 1974) and Gabriela Quintero (born 1973) grew up in middle-class families in Mexico City. Their parents listened to flamenco, jazz, and rock music but they were both exposed to heavy metal, like Metallica, which proved influential to Rodrigo and Gabriela.

Rodrigo and Gabriela met at the age of 15, at 'la casa de la cultura' (House of Culture) in Mexico City, where Rodrigo's brother was the director. Quintero was in a drama class and at the suggestion of his brother, Rodrigo met up with her. She remembers "this 15-year-old boy there, dressed in a black ... with messy hair. Yet he was different to the other metal-heads his age: he seemed very serious and didn't drink or smoke". The two bonded over their interest in music and they soon became a couple.