There’s something in music that transcends our own physical body and let’s us connect with our soul. Yes, sometimes we get disconnected, and I have always felt that inspiration is often had at a few simple lines of notes. And when those notes come alive, it is so beautiful.

I’ve always loved the guitar, and I learned to play when I was in high school, and it’s truly one of the escapes I have when I’ve had a long day.

Here’s a recent discovery I made during the weekend, but these two gifted musicians are definitely no secret. Rodrigo Y Gabriela have some of the best music around.

Rodrigo (Sanchez) and Gabriela (Quintero) are two fast-fingered, Dublin-based, Mexicans with a unique sound created on acoustic guitars. Their music is difficult to define, straddling both world and rock, and often imbued with timeless Hispano – classical influences. The fire in it comes from their life-long passion for metal music. This spring, “Rodrigo y Gabriela,” beat both the Arctic Monkeys AND Johnny Cash to number one in the Irish charts.

Their story is like many other musicians out there trying to make it in the industry. When we see them as a success, oftentimes we don’t see the sacrifices and hardships they have endured.

Rodrigo and Gabriela met as teenagers, at the Casa de Cultura (Culture House), in Mexico City, where Rodrigo’s brother was Director.

From Mexico to Dublin, from Dublin to Denmark, to Barcelona, and back to Ireland… learning guitar styles along the way, playing clubs, trying to get by, and doing it on their own terms. 2004 would be the breakout year when they launched Live: Manchester and Dublin. Indeed, their story is one of inspiration, motivation, perseverance, and success.

Here’s a moving performance of their version of Stairway to Heaven, which is just beautiful.

You can learn more about their music and their story here.

Buy Rodrigo y Gabriela on Amazon