Music News Net

Rodrigo y Gabriela Announce Spring 2012 Tour

MUSIC NEWS - Rodrigo y Gabriela's label, ATO Records have announced a spring 2012 concert tour dates to support their soon to be released album Area 52 album ( out January 24).  Area 52 contains nine of Rod and Gab's favorite songs from their own catalogue re-arranged and recorded in Havana with legendary producer Peter Asher and a 13-piece Cuban orchestra comprised of some of the country's finest young players.

This spring, Rodrigo y Gabriela will be bringing the band C.U.B.A. on the road to better showcase the thrilling and dynamic hybrid of metal, latin and jazz featured on the album in a live setting. It will be the first time in their careers that Rodrigo y Gabriela have toured and performed with a backing band. In addition to the coming tour, Rodrigo y Gabriela were recently confirmed to perform on the upcoming 38th season of the long running tv series Austin City Limits.

Rodrigo Y Gabriela - 2012 North America Tour Itinerary-

Michael Franti & Spearhead Back This Summer With the Sound of Sunshine

MUSIC NEWS - Michael Franti & Spearhead will return this summer with a much anticipated album, THE SOUND OF SUNSHINE, on August 24th (via Capitol Records/Boo Boo Wax).  THE SOUND OF SUNSHINE marks Michael Franti  & Spearhead's seventh studio album and the follow-up to 2008's hit All Rebel Rockers.

THE SOUND OF SUNSHINE was conceived after Franti was hospitalized for a ruptured appendix in August 2009. "Music is sunshine. It gives us new energy and a stronger sense of purpose. You can't hold it in your hands, smell it, taste it or even see it, yet somehow just coming together and feeling these little vibrations that tickle our eardrums can somehow lift us all up out of our most difficult moments in life to unimaginable heights," says Franti. 

PETER GABRIEL Does Tom Waits' "In the Neighborhood"

MUSIC NEWS - A new episode of The Voice Project that featuring Peter Gabriel covering Tom Waits' "In The Neighborhood" was sent out today across five non-profit web sites. Invisible Children, Oxfam America, Resolve Uganda, WITNESS, and HOPE Campaign teamed up to premiere this latest installment. The Voice Project is a music based initiative  raising awareness and support for the war torn region of Central East Africa. (watch the video, below).

Northern Uganda, Southern Sudan, Eastern Congo and Central African Republic have been severely affected by the ongoing violence of Joseph Kony's rebel army the LRA in Africa's longest running conflict. Women's groups in Northern Uganda have been using songs to send messages of forgiveness to those abducted and forced to fight, many of whom escape but hide in the bush afraid to return home for fear of reprisals. The songs are played on the radio and passed by word to let the soldiers know they are forgiven and can come home.

RODRIGO y GABRIELA Announce Spring Tour Dates

MUSIC NEWS  - Mexican guitar-shredders, Rodrigo y Gabriela have announced their Spring 2010 tour of North America. Shows start up on  February 28th in Washington, DC at the 9:30 Club and run through March wrapping up with a special gig at New York's historic Radio City Music Hall on April 29th (full itinerary is below). The tour is part of Rodrigo y Gabriela's world tour supporting their acclaimed release, 11:11.

11:11 (out via ATO Records) has far more then met the expectations of their fans and critics alike.   11:11 has also been recognized by the NAACP, garnering a nomination in the Outstanding World Music category for the organization's forthcoming Image Awards.