BIOGRAPHY...PRESS REVIEWS
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            Tribu de Ixchel rocks--pero con ganas! And that's just the first thing. Four members make up a culturally versatile band that prefers to express their talents through Latin pop/rock music. Lead vocalist Jerry Villanueva, guitarist Jessie Gonzalez, bassist David Portales and drummer Rolando Martinez are better known as a top 25-Grammy nominated group of musicians for their 1997 celebrated debut release, Entre Mundos (Between Worlds).

            As a result of their Latin heritage and American upbringing, Tribu has experienced various musical influences including traditional Latin, pop, funk, jazz, rancheras, boleros and heavy metal. These sounds have nourished the creation of a unique and inviting new sound that encompasses international groove and Latin sounds sung in Spanish and English. Tribu de Ixchel (translates as “Tribe of Ixchel,” the Mayan goddess of love and fertility) was formed in their home base of Houston, Texas. Soon after they made their debut with a melodic Entre Mundos, Tribu became hot in the international pop/rock movement.

            Since then, they’ve had the pleasure of performing nationally and internationally, as well as on television music shows. Tribu toured with Mexico’s El Tri, one of Spanish rock’s most established bands. In 2000, they opened for Latin sensations The Gipsy Kings and gave a stellar performance with Spain's Duncan Dhu. Tribu showcased their winning musicianship at Warner/Silver Light Record’s Talent Search, 1998's South By South West Annual Music Conference in Austin and at legendary places, like the House of Blues in Chicago.

            Just as the gigs rolled in for this refined foursome, so did the buzz of media coverage. Tribu performed on several variety shows (This Week,PBS; Viva Houston, ABC; Grito Alternativo and Domingo Live, Corpus Christi, and also had two guest appearances in 1998 on Desvelados, a popular live TV show in Monterrey, Mexico. Features and reviews in multi-media arts and entertainment magazines, on evening news programs and radio air play throughout Texas and Mexico also completed the circuit.

             Their proudest achievement, however, has been their semi-finalist nomination for the Grammy Awards in the Latin Alternative Rock Album category in 1998 as selected by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. That same year, Tribu was honored with Retila Magazine’s “Artista Revelacion Nacional (Best New National Artist)” award. They have recently been featured in Latina Magazine’s the “Next Ricky Martin.”

             In addition to their musical talent, Tribu possesses a notably strong sense of community service. They have played at many charitable events for the City of Houston, for example The Power of Houston, Museum of Fine Arts, Talento Bilingue de Houston, and Cinco de Mayo celebrations in various cities. Tribu proudly performed in the Astrodome in 2000 alongside Tejano group Limite, Azul Azul and rap artist South Park Mexican.

           Their sophmore CD Crema Latina, released in September 2000, is a new and brilliant cavalcade of songs from the soul. Now Tribu de Ixchel is on their way to becoming a top interntational pop/rock band and gaining an integral role in expanding an interpretation of a contemporary movement in music. 

Grammy Awards Field - Latin, Category - Best Latin
Rock/Alternative Performance Entre Mundos Tribu de Ixchel
-National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences, Inc.
1998 Top 25 Nominations

 “By sharing the song writing responsibilities among
each other, Tribu’s numerous influences make Entre Mundos
outstanding and diverse.”
-Public News

 “Over the last year (Sugar Hill Studios) has turned out
releases from a number of the scene’s heaviest hitters,
among them ... Tribu de Ixchel. (Tribu de Ixchel is
described by Sugar Hill staff as the Spanish U2.
No lie.)”
-Houston Press

 “Most of the tracks on Tribu de Ixchel’s accomplished
Entre Mundos would, save for the Spanish lyrics, seem
at home on releases by the Red Hot Chili Peppers
(“Santa Chica”), Pantera (“Celos”), or Stone Temple
Pilots (“Ella Viene”).”
-Houston Press

 “Tenemos el placer de oirlos (Tribu de Ixchel) tocar
en la estación de radio KYST 920 AM, Conexion Clandestina,
en Houston, Texas y ahora tambien en Laredo, Texas
... y ortras ciudades fuera del estado y nación como
Centro America, Sur America y a países de Europa.”
-La Voz Hispana

 

The name “Ixchel” comes from the Mayan Indians in Mexico.
Ixchel was their goddess of childbirth, fertility and all
new creations.  Tribu de Ixchel chose the name to express
their intentions in creating and promoting a new forms of
music, Latin alternative pop/rock.  Tribu prides, “Nothing
ventured, nothing gained!”