Bio
Gustavo and the Universe's success is on the rise with the upcoming completion of their new live CD, "Gustavo and the Universe: Live at the Velvet Lounge". While their genre is clearly salsa pop fusion, Gustavo and the Universe brings more to the industry than beautiful music and rhythm. Their innovative approach to producing & spiritual lyrics carries a heavy political punch too powerful to ignore. They are quickly becoming known as one of the strongest Latino voices in Washington DC, and one of the best live bands with all original music.
Gustavo and the Universe has transformed the hearts of salseros and music lovers alike with every performance. You haven't heard salsa, reggaton, and pop music fused together until you hear "Maquina de Suenos" and "Tu Saliste," two of the band's most popular songs. Their fans rave about them on their facebook page and the press has also take an active interest in G&U. They are currently performing monthly at Velvet Lounge in NW Washignton DC.
Gustavo and the Universe has been featured in such notable websites and media sources such as, Planet Timba.com, Online Salsa.com Bolivian Eventos USA.com, Democracy Now.org and the Washington City Paper. Just recently Gustavo and the Universe was given an exclusive interview on DC Contigo a widely popular TV show on Univision, reaching the entire Latino Community in the Washington DC area. Click here to watch the interview.
THE QUICK AND DIRTY ABOUT GUSTAVO AND THE UNIVERSE
Access Gustavo and the Universe Now: View their new salsa music video on Youtube, which was shot on location at the White House: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rGX5nWsBU64
Oficial website: www.gustavouniverse.com
Phone Number: 571-232-5470
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Listen to the band's demo at: myspace.com/gustavouniverse
Keep in touch with Gustavo and the Universe: Facebook, Youtube, Myspace, Twitter!
Band Members: Gustavo Monje, Lelis Cueto, Randell Piragua, Jeremy Wall, Daphne Cashion, Rosshan Monroe, Pablo Cabrera, Felipe Bohorquez, Erik Flores, and Ricardo Santy.
Snapshot of Gustavo Monje: Gustavo is the singer, director, and song writer for the band. He is author of a college textbook called, Ascend: A Practical Guide to College Reading. He is a proud member of a Salsa Dance Group DC Casineros (Reuda de Casino dancing) as well as Cofounder of the AMURT Non profit Youth Hip Hop Recording Program. In this role he went to Malindi Kenya to train hip hop activists in beat making production, music recording, and in 2011 mixing. To view photographs of Gustavo’s work, click here . While working directly with new songwriters in Kenya, Gustavo mentored the students in beat making and music production. During his stay, he aided in establishing a fully running recording studio. Gustavo is also a Meditation and Yoga practitioner, a Reiki Master, and a professor of English at Northern Virginia Community College.
Musical Influences: Manolito Simonet y Su Trabuco, Los Van Van, Luis Enrique, the Beatles, Bob Marley, Silvio Rodriguez, Lauryn Hill, Nina Simone, and Alexander Abreu (Habana D Primera).
Ideolology: Progressive Utilization Theory or PROUT, and other alternative economic paradigms.
Philosophical/Spiritual Influences: Bell Hooks, PR Sarkar, Don Miguel Ruiz, Thic Naht Hahn and Gustavo’s guru Shrii Shrii Anandamurtii.
The Sound: Their unique musical approach pulls from diverse styles including pop, jazz, hip hop, timba, salsa, reggeton, and bachata. Gustavo Monje's work is known for a melodic blend of layered guitar melodies, vocal harmonies, and lyrical storytelling. He follows in the footsteps of artists as Silvio Rodriguez, Bob Marley, and the Beatles with a salsa twist.
Gustavo and the Universe is available for live performances, press interviews, rallies, speaking engagements, activism work & writing workshops. They are natives to the Washington, DC. area. Service, Blessedness & Revolution
