Mexican duo rocking the Irish charts

03/03/2006 7:26 PM, Reuters
Nick Kelly

Acoustic guitar duo Rodrigo y Gabriela is an unlikely chart-topper in Ireland.

The Mexican act's self-titled third album, which combines original flamenco/Mexican folk-styled tracks with instrumental covers of Led Zeppelin and Metallica songs, entered the local charts at No. 1, a week after its February 17 release. The album comes out in the rest of Europe on March 13.

Its success rewards Rodrigo Sanchez and Gabriela Quintero's constant gigging since 1999, when they moved to Europe from Mexico after playing in a heavy metal band for seven years.

Eventually, they settled in Dublin and worked up from busking in the streets to supporting local favorite Damien Rice and the touring Buena Vista Social Club.

The act's Dublin-based artist manager, Niall Muckian, says "Rodrigo y Gabriela" has had enthusiastic mainstream and specialist radio support in Ireland, where he released it on his own Rubyworks label, and he reports interest from a number of American labels.

The duo will tour the U.K. in March, and Australia in April.

Reuters/Billboard