Rodrigo Sanchez and Gabriela Quintero have been playing guitar together for more than fifteen years. Their acoustic, nylon stringed instruments produce a unique sound which is not easy to classify, encompassing influences from both rock and world music. While there are timeless Hispano-classical influences, the fire in their music comes from their joint devotion to the power of thrash metal and hard rock. From the tentative steps of their first self-released album in 2001, Rodrigo y Gabriela have grown in stature to be recognized as an international recording artistes with over one million albums sold and a string of sold out concert tours around the world. Now they bring their unique sound to a new audience by releasing music on the Rock Band Network.

Rodrigo y Gabriela have two songs in the RBN - "Buster Voodoo" & "Hanuman" - and are our March 2011 RBN Artist of the Month! Check out our exclusive interview with the band below, and be sure to visit their artist page to watch the music video for "Hanuman" and for links to their official site!

Harmonix: How does it feel to be named “Artist of the Month?”

Rodrigo y Gabriela: All we can say is: thanks!

HMX: How did you become involved with the Rock Band Network? Were you directly involved in bringing your music to RBN?

RyG: We don`t really know how! Hahaha. The only thing we know is we have great management!

HMX: How have your fans reacted to finding you in their favorite video game?

RyG: We expect a good reaction, so far we haven`t heard any comments yet!

HMX: How do you feel about utilizing video games as a medium for discovering new music? Have you seen new fans come to you as a result of RBN?

RyG: As a reflection of how rapidly the music industry is changing, it could be a good and fun way to rediscover old music and discover new music.

How did you choose songs for Rock Band Network?

RyG: We consulted with our label and management. We hope everyone loves playing the songs.

HMX: On the same topic, tell us a bit about your tracks – they’re different from other RBN tracks – no vocals, just intricate, challenging guitar parts. Were there any concerns about adding tracks without vocals to RBN?

RyG: Not at all concerned because that`s what we do best.

HMX: When you’re on the road, what’s in your tour survival kit?

RyG: Certainly being on the road can at moments be the survival experience itself as you spend much time indoors... inside a car, planes, dressing rooms, hotel, so on and on and on! For month after month, years after years, we might come up with our own survival indoors guide! As the lack of fresh air makes you forget you are a bloody human! Hahaha.

HMX: Would any of the members of the band consider themselves gamers? What do you all play?

RyG: Yes! We play guitars! [We are] the most crappy players when it comes to video games!

HMX: When you’re not writing, touring, recording, or performing, what takes up your time?

RyG: As far as we are concerned, we are in an eternal circle of writing, touring, recording or performing! But we love to write new music in our own studio at home sweet home.

HMX: What artists inspire you as a band?

RyG: Hundreds of artist that we deeply admire, and since our range in musical taste is very wide, our latest album 11:11 [was] dedicated to a narrow number that we had to choose from those hundreds, which covers different styles of music. We tribute Carlos Santana, Al Di Meola, Pink Floyd, Le Trio Joubran, Astor Piazzolla, Dimebag [late Pantera guitarist], Paco de Lucia, Michel Camilo, Jorge Reyes, Shakti, Jimi Hendrix.

HMX: According to each member of the band, what album is essential listening for any beginner musician?

RyG: We can say that what is really essential is not to have a judgemental attitude towards some particular style of music. As musician you can encounter incredible opportunities to learn from a so-called very "crappy, cheese, brutal, annoying, weak music."