Hermanos Gutiérrez (Spanish for "Gutiérrez Brothers") is a Latin instrumental band formed in 2015 in Zürich by Ecuadorian-Swiss brothers Alejandro Gutiérrez (guitar and lap steel) and Estevan Gutiérrez (guitar and percussion). In 2022, the US label Easy Eye Sound released the band's fifth album, El Bueno y el Malo.
Hermanos Gutiérrez | |
|---|---|
 Hermanos Gutiérrez in 2020 | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Zürich, Switzerland |
| Genres | |
| Years active | 2015–present |
| Labels | Easy Eye Sound |
| Members |
|
| Website | www |
History
editAlejandro and Estevan Gutiérrez, two of four siblings, were raised by an Ecuadorian mother and a Swiss father in Switzerland, and often visited family in Playas, Ecuador.[1][2][3] Around age nine, Estevan learned to play classical guitar in Latin styles such as milonga and salsa, and as a surfer was later inspired by surf rocker Jack Johnson.[4][5] Alejandro, who is eight years younger, taught himself guitar by watching tutorial videos on YouTube.[4][5] The Hermanos Gutiérrez band traces its origins to a jam session in Alejandro's apartment in Zürich during a visit from Estevan in 2015.[4][6][7]
The band's first three albums (8 Años, El Camino de mi Alma, and Hoy Como Ayer) drew broadly from the world of Latin music.[6][8][9] A visit to Mexico and the Southwest US in February 2020 inspired their fourth album, Hijos del Sol, which incorporated more Western sounds.[8][9] An eight-minute music video for the title track came out in advance of the album's release on 25 September 2020.[9]
El Bueno y el Malo, the band's first non-indie project, was recorded in Nashville in collaboration with Dan Auerbach of the Black Keys and released by his label Easy Eye Sound on 28 October 2022.[5][10] The album (and its title) were inspired by Ennio Morricone's The Good, the Bad and the Ugly soundtrack.[4] The album was critically acclaimed and has been described as mentally transporting listeners to Spaghetti Western landscapes.[7][11] Songs from El Bueno y el Malo comprised Hermanos Gutiérrez's set list in an NPR Tiny Desk Concert in January 2023.[12] That year, Auerbach was nominated for the Grammy Award for Non-Classical Producer of the Year in part for his work with Hermanos Gutiérrez.[13]
Musical style
editThe band's genre has evolved into a mix of Latin and Western music.[3][14] Rolling Stone describes the band's "minimal approach to their instrumental guitar music ... It's music that sings without needing a singer, that's lyrical without needing words".[4] The Santa Fe New Mexican writes that the band's songs "alternate between shuffling and brooding, spooky and solitary".[7]
Alejandro Gutiérrez plays electric guitar and lap steel guitar, while Estevan Gutiérrez plays electric guitar and percussion (bongos, maracas, etc.).[5][8][12] The brothers have described having a musical chemistry such that they are able to compose together without needing to talk; NPR writes, "They weave intricate guitar lines over each other that intertwine to the point that if you close your eyes you can't tell where one begins and the other ends".[5][12] Of their proficiency with "rhythm and timing", Auerbach has jokingly commented, "They are Swiss".[4]
Early influences include Julio Jaramillo;[8][9] later influences include film composers such as Ennio Morricone and Gustavo Santaolalla.[5][9]
Discography
edit- Adapted from Bandcamp.[15]
Studio albums
edit| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions |
|---|---|---|
| US [16] | ||
| 8 Años |
|
— |
| El Camino de mi Alma |
|
— |
| Hoy Como Ayer |
|
— |
| Hijos del Sol |
|
— |
| El Bueno y el Malo | — | |
| Sonido Cósmico |
|
193 |
Compilation albums
edit| Title | Album details |
|---|---|
| Eternamente |
|
References
edit- ^ Villanueva, Patricia (3 November 2021). "México inspira a los Hermanos Gutiérrez" [Mexico inspires Hermanos Gutiérrez]. El Heraldo de México (in Spanish). Retrieved 4 March 2023.
- ^ Simon, Scott (10 December 2022). "Hermanos Gutierrez on their new album 'El Bueno Y El Malo'". NPR Music. Retrieved 8 March 2023.
- ^ a b Abdou, Diana (27 August 2020). "Raíces latinas, pasión, guitarras y la magia del silencio vocal en el nuevo disco de Los Hermanos Gutiérrez" [Latin roots, passion, guitars and the magic of a silent voice on the new album by Hermanos Gutiérrez]. wwm.rocks (interview) (in Spanish). Retrieved 8 March 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f Freeman, Jon (28 October 2022). "How Hermanos Gutierrez and Dan Auerbach Made a Chill-Out Album for the Ages". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 4 March 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f Millevoi, Nick (22 December 2022). "Hermanos Gutiérrez: It Came From the Desert". Premier Guitar. Retrieved 5 March 2023.
- ^ a b "Who are Hermanos Gutierrez? (interview)". ladygunn.com. Retrieved 4 March 2023.
- ^ a b c Sandford, Brian (18 November 2022). "Band of brothers". The Santa Fe New Mexican. Retrieved 7 March 2023.
- ^ a b c d Cortina, Fernanda (3 October 2020). "Hermanos Gutiérrez pintan desiertos mexicanos con la guitarra en 'Hijos del Sol'" [Gutiérrez brothers paint Mexican deserts with the guitar in 'Hijos del Sol']. Forbes Mexico (in Spanish). Retrieved 4 March 2023.
- ^ a b c d e "Los Hermanos Gutiérrez convierten en música los rincones de México" [Hermanos Gutiérrez turn the corners of Mexico into music]. elpopular.mx (in Spanish). 12 September 2020. Retrieved 4 March 2023.
- ^ Aswad, Jem (28 October 2022). "Hermanos Gutiérrez 'El Bueno y el Malo' Is a Vividly Morricone-esque Take on Instrumental Rock: Album Review". Variety. Retrieved 4 March 2023.
- ^ Dadoo Lomeli, Vita (13 December 2022). "The 15 Best Latin Albums Of 2022". NPR Music. Retrieved 5 March 2023.
- ^ a b c Contreras, Felix (31 January 2023). "Hermanos Gutiérrez: Tiny Desk Concert". NPR Music. Retrieved 4 March 2023.
- ^ Lee, Taila (15 November 2022). "2023 Grammy Nominations: See The Complete Winners & Nominees List". grammy.com. The Recording Academy. Retrieved 4 March 2023.
- ^ Munro, Stuart (19 July 2022). "10 must-see artists at this year's Newport Folk Festival". The Boston Globe. Retrieved 8 March 2023.
- ^ "Hermanos Gutiérrez". bandcamp.com. Bandcamp. Retrieved February 22, 2023.
- ^ @billboardcharts (24 June 2024). "Debuts on this week's #Billboard200..." (Tweet). Retrieved 25 June 2024 – via Twitter.
External links
edit- Official website
- Hermanos Gutiérrez at AllMusic
- Hermanos Gutiérrez discography at Discogs