Rodrigo Sanchez and Gabriela Quintero have been playing guitar together for more than fifteen years. From their hesitant first steps as teenage thrash metallurgists in their native Mexico City, through the innocents abroad street players of Dublin’s Grafton Street at the turn of the millennium, to the universally acclaimed globe straddling touring machine of 2009; theirs is a musical union where mutual understanding goes beyond intuitive and into the realms of Zen. Rhythmic Yin to melodic Yang.

Their self-titled album ‘Rodrigo y Gabriela’ was first released in Ireland in February 2006, where it became a national # 1. This proved to be an auspicious start for a record that has since gone on to sell 600,000 copies worldwide and be a massive, genuine word of mouth success story. The UK, then Australia, South Africa, America, Europe and Japan succumbed to the unique charms of the record; and the duo found themselves constantly on the road for more than two and a half years in support of the release.

Keeping a base in Ireland, Rodrigo y Gabriela decided to establish a Mexican base in Ixtapa on the Pacific Coast. The new album was recorded at the studio they created here. If ‘Rodrigo y Gabriela’ was a successful attempt at capturing the unbridled dynamic energy of their incendiary gigs (mostly recorded ‘live’ in the studio, with very few overdubs); then the new album sees them developing their core sound into something more sophisticated, intricate and varied. At the heart of the sound is still the stunning interplay between Rodrigo’s dazzling lead work and Gabriela’s unique rhythm play; but the base soundscape is now subtly supplemented by percussion, occasional piano and a fresh arsenal of stringed instruments from around the world, including oud and sitar. And - whisper it quietly – the introduction here and there of electric guitar.

Produced by Rodrigo y Gabriela (with co-production from the world renowned John Leckie on the title track), the album was mixed by Colin Richardson (Slipknot, Trivium). Picked by Rod & Gab for the way he makes guitars simultaneously sing and sting, it’s his desk dexterity that make the sound pictures on 11:11 dance before your eyes and ears. Guest players include Alex Skolnick (Testament) and acoustic veterans Strunz & Farah.

The initial pressing comes with an 85 minute DVD, featuring Rodrigo y Gabriela in the studio, live ’09, a Q & A on the album with Rod y Gab, guitar tutorial and much more.