DEL CASTILLO has become a symbol of the cross-cultural power of music with their eclectic blend of Flamenco, Rock, Latin, Blues, and World music. It all began in late 2000 when Rick and Mark del Castillo decided to put together an album of Latin/Flamenco-style songs for their parents and friends in their hometown of Brownsville, Texas. The brothers, who had always played electric guitar in separate rock bands, had never played together and for the first time ever they began collaborating on songs on acoustic guitars. Their good friend, vocalist/guitarist Alex Ruiz, began adding lyrics to the brothers’ instrumentals, and soon after, the other band members joined them. After receiving positive and encouraging responses from everyone who heard the songs they created together, the project began to evolve into a real band. Del Castillo was born! They began writing material fusing many styles and influences, all the while retaining a solid Latin element, and in late 2001 they decided to test the waters as a live performance band. They played their first show in Austin, Texas, where they all live, and simultaneously, they released their first CD, Brothers of the Castle. Both the performance and CD received rave reviews from fans and critics alike. In early 2002, the Austin American Statesman wrote, “…For a band that played its first gig only six months ago, Del Castillo is, indeed, going places.” Encouraged by the immediate response and acceptance, they started playing regular shows in Austin and quickly built a following. In March of that year, they received the first of what would be many awards that would follow at the Austin Music Awards during South By Southwest – “Best World Music Band” and “Best Mexican/Traditional Latino Band.” During that time, the band had met filmmaker Robert Rodriguez, and he was now studying guitar with Rick. He invited Rick to contribute guitar on the soundtrack of his film “Spy Kids 3D: Game Over,” and at the premier of the film in Austin in 2003 the band performed live with Robert joining Rick and Mark on guitar. All the while, the band continued to write and record new songs, and in late 2002 they released their follow-up CD, Vida, which took them to the next level. The Austin Chronicle wrote, “…if Vida is proof, their road to fame will be as short as an I-35 entrance ramp.” Robert filmed the band’s performance at the CD release party for Vida for a live DVD. By 2003, Del Castillo had become one of Austin’s most popular bands and they swept the Austin Music Awards that year, winning seven awards including “Band of the Year” and “Album of the Year” for Vida. They continued to work with Robert, and Rick, Mark, and Alex contributed music on his next film, “Once Upon a Time in Mexico.” In addition to the music, Alex appeared in the film. The premier for the film was held in New York that year and Del Castillo performed live, joined on stage by Robert, Antonio Banderas, Cheech Marin, and Patricia Vonne. The Del Castillo LIVE DVD, filmed and edited by Robert Rodriguez, was released in early 2004. Also that year, Quentin Tarrantino used a Del Castillo song in “Kill Bill, Vol. 2,” performed by Chingon, Robert Rodriguez’ musical collective of some of his closest musical compadres, including members of Del Castillo. Del Castillo, with Robert, performed as Chingon at the premier of the film in Los Angeles. By now, the band was performing with great success throughout Texas. They joined the roster of CAA in 2004, which opened the door for extensive touring across the country, playing shows with such artists as Ozomatli, Los Lonely Boys, Los Lobos, Kinky, deSol, and others. They toured non-stop through 2006. They performed at three of Willie Nelson’s 4th Of July Picnics, and at Eric Clapton’s Crossroads Guitar Festival, and they have made numerous national and local TV appearances. Brotherhood, the band’s third CD, was released in the Spring of 2006 and it was immediately acclaimed by the media across the board. Billboard Magazine said, “…Whether Del Castillo works in Spanish or English, it rocks righteously…They pull together Latin music’s romance and rock’s grit.” At SXSW 2007, Brotherhood won “Album of the Year” at the 2006/2007 Austin Music Awards. The band continues to tour throughout the country, thriving on performing live and building new audiences, and songwriting and recording are a priority during breaks in their tour schedule. AWARDS/HONORS Album of the Year –“BROTHERHOOD” – Austin Music Awards/South By Southwest (2007) Best Latin Traditional Band - Austin Music Awards/South By Southwest (2007) Best Latin Traditional Band – Austin Music Awards/South By Southwest (2006) Best Independent Group of the Year - ASCAP Latin Music Awards (2005) Best Latin Traditional Band - Austin Music Awards / South By Southwest (2005) #1 Best Live Act by Austin Music Pundits - AMP Awards (2004) Best Latin Contemporary Band - Austin Music Awards / South By Southwest (2004) Best Latin Music Video 2003 for "Suenos Madrigales" from "DEL CASTILLO LIVE" DVD - Austin Music Network Music Video Awards 7 major awards at Austin Music Awards / South By Southwest (2003): AUSTIN BAND OF THE YEAR BEST ALBUM OF THE YEAR: "VIDA" BEST DRUMS: Mike Zeoli AUSTIN SINGLE OF THE YEAR: "VIDA" BEST COVER ART: "VIDA" RECORD PRODUCER: Rick del Castillo - "VIDA" MEXICAN TRADITIONAL - DEL CASTILLO Best World Music Band and Best Mexican/Traditional Latino Band - Austin Music Awards / South By Southwest (2002) Honored by the Austin Latin Music Association. Live performance filmed for "Sonidos del Barrios" TV series. (2002) Best Latin Rock Band - “Primetime Tejano” TV/Austin (2002) SPECIAL PERFORMANCES/MEDIA Outlaw Trail Concert - Paramount Theatre, Austin (2008) -- READ MORE > Dan Rather Reports: Latino Invasions On Hdnet (2007) Austin City Limits Music Festival – Austin (2006) Wakarusa Festival – Lawrence, Ks (2006) · Headlined Kgsr T-Shirt Party – Austin (2006) Latin Nation Tv (2006) Willie Nelson’s 4th Of July Picnic – 2 Nights: Carl’s Corner/Ft. Worth (2006) George Lopez Show / ABC-TV (2005) - featuring Rick, Mark, and Alex Black Tie and Boots Ball - Washington, DC during Inauguration week (2005) American/Latino TV (2004) Willie Nelson’s 4th of July Picnic - Ft. Worth (2004) Eric Clapton's Crossroads Guitar Festival - Dallas (2004) Kill Bill, Vol 2 Premier. Performed in Chingon with Robert Rodriguez - Los Angeles (2004) House of Blues with special guest appearance by Robert Rodriguez - Los Angeles (2004) Headlined KGSR’s Spring T-Party - Austin (2004) “Chingon” Evening with Robert Rodriguez and Bruce Willis & The Accelerators - Austin (2004) Willie Nelson’s 4th of July Picnic - Ft. Worth (2003) Once Upon a Time in Mexico Premier. Robert Rodriguez, Antonio Banderas and Cheech Marin performed with the band - New York (2003) Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over World Premier. Robert Rodriguez performed with the band - Austin (2003) LATV, in conjunction with debut Los Angeles showcase performances at the Roxy and Conga Room (2003) 2003 Convention of the National Council of La Raza - Austin (2003) NATIONAL TOURING 2006 National tour: shows with Los Lonely Boys/Indigenous/Styx/deSol/Don Henley. Performed at corporate event for Cartier in Geneva, Switzerland. Set attendance records at The Glenn and Antone’s in Austin. 2005 Headlined at the Mexico Now! Festival in New York and at the Open House Arts Festival at Kennedy Center in Washington, DC celebrating the Center’s 34th Anniversary. National headline tour, including Las Vegas/Kansas City/St. Louis/Nashville/Virginia Beach/Syracuse/Santa Fe/ Albuquerque. Shows with the Neville Brothers in Austin, and with Buddy Guy in Des Moines. 2004 Headline shows in New York/Atlanta/Memphis. Shows with Ozomatli in Tucson/New Orleans/ Orlando/Washington, DC/Detroit/Chicago/Minneapolis/Albuquerque/Santa Fe; with Los Lobos in Des Moines/Dallas/Austin/San Antonio/El Paso. PRODUCT RELEASES DEL CASTILLO "BROTHERHOOD" CD (2006) "DEL CASTILLO LIVE" DVD (2004). Live footage filmed and edited by Robert Rodriguez. "VIDA" CD (2002) "BROTHERS OF THE CASTLE" CD (2001) GUEST APPEARANCES "KILL BILL, VOL. 2" soundtrack CD (2004). Includes "Malaguena Salerosa" by Chingon (Del Castillo, Robert Rodriguez, and others). "MEXICO & MARIACHIS" CD (2004). Music From and Inspired by Robert Rodriguez's "El Mariachi" Trilogy. Includes "Spanish Castle Tango" by Del Castillo; incidental guitar by Rick and Mark del Castillo, vocals by Alex Ruiz, and percussion by Rick Holeman on various songs. "MEXICAN SPAGHETTI WESTERNS"/CHINGON CD (2003). "ONCE UPON A TIME IN MEXICO" soundtrack CD (2003). Includes "Dias de los Angeles" by Del Castillo; incidental guitar by Mark and Rick del Castillo, and vocals by Alex Ruiz on various songs. (Del Castillo member participation in parenthesis) “KILLING SNAKES” Film in progress. It is the story of hard-living polo players set amid a Southwestern love triangle, incorporating border issues, drugs, and DVD piracy. A short film shot in Texas, Santa Fe, and Spain has been completed for presentation to investors and distributors. Rick del Castillo is co-writer, co-producer, and composed the soundtrack score, which was recorded at London’s Abbey Road Studios. New and existing Del Castillo songs are on the soundtrack. Rick del Castillo, Alex Ruiz, and Albert Besteiro appear in the film as actors and performers. Click Here to view the KILLING SNAKES trailer “THE CRY” Indie supernatural thriller based on the 500-year old Latin American legend of La Llorona, an anguished vengeful spirit acknowledged by 28 million believers. (Announcement of release plans is forthcoming.) Del Castillo with Patricia Vonne recorded the traditional song “La Llorona” for the opening and end credits. Del Castillo songs featured on the soundtrack: “Talkin’ To Ya” (from Brotherhood CD), “Don Nicolas” and “Suenos Madrigales” (from Vida CD) Click Here for THE CRY website | Click Here to view THE CRY trailer “KILL BILL, VOL. 2” (Film and Soundtrack CD) “Malaguena Salerosa” (Rick and Mark del Castillo/guitar, Alex Ruiz/vocals, Rick Holeman/percussion) “ONCE UPON A TIME IN MEXICO” (Film and Soundtrack CD) “Eye Patch” (Rick del Castillo/guitar, percussion; Alex Ruiz/vocals) “Guitar Town” (Rick del Castillo/guitar) “Church Shootout” (Rick del Castillo/guitar, drums) “Dias de los Angeles “ (written, performed, produced by Del Castillo) “Mariachi vs. Marquez” (Rick del Castillo/guitar) “Coup De Etat” (Rick del Castillo/guitar) “El Mariachi” (Rick del Castillo/guitar) “Siente Mi Amor” (Rick del Castillo/guitar) “Cuka Rocka” (Rick and Mark del Castillo/guitar) “MEXICO & MARIACHIS “ - Music From and Inspired by Robert Rodriguez’s EL MARIACHI Trilogy (Films and CD) “Alacran y Pistolero” (Rick and Mark del Castillo/guitar, Alex Ruiz/backing vocals, Rick Holeman/percussion) “Severina” (Rick and Mark del Castillo/guitar) “Theme from El Mariachi” (Rick del Castillo/guitar, Rick Holeman/percussion) “Back To The House That Love Built” (Acoustic) (Rick del Castillo/guitar, Rick Holeman/percussion) “Spanish Castle Tango” (Written, Performed, and Produced by Del Castillo) “Once Upon A Time In Mexico” (Main Titles) (Rick and Mark del Castillo/guitar, Rick Holeman/percussion) “SPY KIDS 3D: GAME OVER” (Film and DVD) “Game Over” (Rick del Castillo/guitar) “Isle Of Dreams” (Rick del Castillo/guitar)