Biography

LEFT TO RIGHT:
Alex Ruiz - Lead Vocals/Guitar/Harmonica
Mark del Castillo - Guitar/Vocals
Rick del Castillo - Guitar/Vocals
Albert Besteiro - Bass
Mike Zeoli - Drums

Great art from all periods reflects the collective mood of that time period on many levels. Times are changing and America is changing. We are inarguably living in a New America; a place where the mood and the spirit of the people is guiding us through crisis and revival. Del Castillo's sound is a result of each member being possessed by a boundless, creative spirit and allowing it to guide them on an amazing musical journey. It is a spirit that beckons the audience to step outside of the old formula and join the new journey.

DEL CASTILLO has become a symbol of the cross-cultural power of music with their eclectic blend of Rock, Latin, Blues, and World music. With the release of their first eponymous album and a bigger more visceral sound, the band is poised at the front of the new Latino wave washing over America and the world. The band calls their style "Nuevo Americano" as a reflection of their times.

Not too long ago jazz was born in America. Jazz was born out of a need for artists/musicians to creatively explore and express themselves through an old medium in a new way - without boundaries. It allowed the people to escape their troubles and woes in a righteous way and to ultimately fuel and inspire the spirit of the fans and listeners."Nuevo Americano" has been conceived in that same spirit.

Del Castillo got its start when Alex Ruiz began writing with Mark del Castillo in 1999. They hoped their collaboration would give them each a lil' something different. Alex and Mark had written "Porque", "Suenos Madrigales", "La Luz a Mi Paso" before working with Rick del Castillo. What followed organically became Del Castillo. Mike Zeoli was drumming in another band with Mark and they had finished their last album together as Rick started producing the first Del Castillo album. It started as an instrumental work but then Mark showed Rick the songs he had written with Alex and the project evolved. Albert Besteiro joined the group and Del Castillo was born!

After receiving positive and encouraging responses from everyone who heard the songs they channeled their collective focus into this new band. 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 Austin Music Awards at the South By Southwest music festival.

Del Castillo became one of Austin's most popular bands and they swept the Austin Music Awards, winning seven awards including "Band of the Year" and "Album of the Year." During that time, Del Castillo was introduced to filmmaker Robert Rodriguez. 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. Also,the band contributed the song "Dias de Los Angeles" to his next film, "Once Upon a Time in Mexico." 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.

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" Rolling Stone Magazine described the band as "tumbling brilliance on nylon-string classical guitars…eruptions of technique and taste (that) conjure images of Eddie Van Halen fronting early Santana (with an assist from the Gypsy Kings)."

Robert Rodriguez filmed the band's performance at the CD release party for Vida for a live DVD. The Del Castillo LIVE DVD released in early 2004. Also that year, Quentin Tarantino used the Del Castillo song "Malaguena Salerosa" as performed by Chingon, in "Kill Bill, Vol. 2" and Chingon, the musical collective with Robert Rodriguez and some of his closest musical compadres, including members of Del Castillo performed at the premier of the film in Los Angeles winning over still more Hollywood fans as Uma Thurman and Vivica A. Fox kicked up their heels. Alex even appeared in the film "Sin City" in 2005 at Robert's request.

The band was enjoying great success throughout Texas touring extensively across the country, playing shows with such artists as Ozomatli, Los Lonely Boys, Los Lobos, Styx, Kinky, deSol, and others. They toured non-stop through 2006 and 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.

Now the band stands poised for the next big thing. On April 7, 2009 Del Castillo released their self-titled album which they describe as their most collaborative effort to date. The 12 new songs display the evolution of the band's repertoire, mixing dance rhythms and Cumbia with as much mature grace as the deftly blended the Spanish and English lyrics. Texas Music Magazine calls the disc their best yet and The Austin American-Statesman raved "fire is burning as hot as ever."

2009 also saw the band's first European tour. Crowds lined up in Germany and Austria to see this new American band with their new American style. Del Castillo didn't disappoint with a bright, danceable beat and hauntingly memorable music bringing together rock 'n' roll, classical Spanish and half a dozen flavors of Mexican and Caribbean styles into a melting pot of sound.

"Now that Del Castillo has finally played Europe (and been invited back) our faith in what we do has been reaffirmed," says drummer Mike Zeoli.

Their sound, this Nuevo Americano is like nothing else but born of the past and reaching toward the future. It is a nod to the wave of change across America. With immigration and diversity on the forefront of public consciousness, people are coming together. It is a new America and Del Castillo is the sound of change.


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}

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

2007-2008
National touring throughout the U.S. and in Europe, including many major music festivals such as the Sierra Nevada Music Fest, California Worldfest, and Great Woods Music Fest (Canada).

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

"DEL CASTILLO" CD (2009)
"BROTHERHOOD" CD (2006)
"DEL CASTILLO LIVE" DVD (2004) -- 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.

"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.

"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)

"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

Contact: International Artist Development
Global Eyes Entertainment:
Preston Sullivan or Ramona E. Simmons
office 615 882 0242
preston@prestonsullivan.net or Ramona@globaleyesentertainment.com