Hermanos Gutiérrez perform 'Los Ojos del Cóndor' and reveal inspiration for new album

Geoff Bennett:

The music of Hermanos Gutierrez carries listeners across imagined landscapes, blending Latin traditions, surf rock, folk, and cinematic Western sounds into entirely new instrumental journeys.

Now the Swiss Ecuadorian brothers, Estevan and Alejandro Gutierrez, are turning their gaze homeward. Their forthcoming album, "Los Ojos Del Condor," draws on the musical traditions of South America and their family's roots in Ecuador and Peru.

Their new music produced by Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys is both a celebration of heritage and an invitation to discover the cultures and landscapes that shape them.

As part of our arts and culture series, Canvas, we're joined now in studio by Hermanos Gutierrez.

It's great to have you both here.

Alejandro Gutierrez, Musician:

Thank you so much for having us.

Geoff Bennett:

Alejandro, your music tells stories without a single lyric. What does instrumental music capture that other types of music can't?

Alejandro Gutierrez, Musician:

It really captures the connection of both of us, the connection that we have as brothers. And with cinematic or instrumental music, it's just the case that listeners can put way more of their individual experience into the music. And we love that. We really love that element.

Geoff Bennett:

You both have said that this new album is a love letter to South America.

In what way, Estevan?

Estevan Gutierrez, Musician:

Our mom is from Ecuador. Our dad is Swiss, but we always had this strong connection to Ecuador and in general to South America. And so with this journey, we wanted to take our listeners to that beautiful, yes, South America, and we're excited to share this new journey with everybody.

Geoff Bennett:

As you mentioned, you're more than bandmates. You're brothers. How does that relationship show up in your music?

Alejandro Gutierrez:

There's a lot of connection there, but it's like any other relationship. We got to work on it. But the beautiful thing about is that music has kept us together over the years.

Geoff Bennett:

I have followed your music for years. I have seen firsthand how your performances command a certain type of stillness among audiences. In this noisy world in which we all live right now, what do you think the value is of that?

Alejandro Gutierrez:

I mean, the feedback we get from most of the people is that they can really be present in our shows, because there's not much distraction. There's two guitars. And so the simplicity of it really amazes us in a way that we're like, oh, it's the connection.

It's two guitars and people enjoying the music. And, apparently, that's enough.

Geoff Bennett:

So let's experience it firsthand.

This is "Los Ojos Del Condor," the title track off your forthcoming album, Hermanos Gutierrez.

(Music)