Mana’s Alex González Presented with DW Collectors Series Icon Snare from Drum Workshop

Posted on March 25, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Alex González is drummin’ up a new honor…

The 54-year-old Cuban & Colombian American drummer for Mana has been presented with a DW Collectors Series Icon Snare as a tribute to the musician from the Drum Workshop.

The snare drums, created by DW drum designer John Good, “pay tribute to some of the most iconic drummers in the history of rock,” according to a press release.

Each snare is sized and configured to reflect the snare the artist plays and features an inlaid design made from “exotic wood veneers.”

“I am very happy and excited that my icon snare drum will be able to help others that are in need, that’s why my charity of choice is Nariz Roja A.C. that helps and supports low income children with cancer in Mexico,” González said. “Thank you DW and thank you to those who have purchased my Icon Snare for your support and help! Big Hug!”

eOne Sells Spanish Language Series “Operación Marea Negra,” Starring Álex González, to 60+ Territories

Posted on October 16, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Álex González’s latest project is going global…

Entertainment One (eOne) has sold its first Spanish language series Operación Marea Negra, starring the 42-year-old Spanish actor, to more than 60 territories including the U.S. and Mexico (Roku), Australia (SBS), Latin American (AMC Networks Intl), Canada (TELEUS) and Spain (Disney-owned FOX channel).

The four-part series is based on the true story of Europe’s first intercepted narco-submarine in November 2019, when three smugglers crossed the Atlantic in a homemade sub-aquatic vessel carrying more than 3,000 kilos of cocaine. After boarding in the middle of the Amazon, they sailed to Europe while enduring terrible conditions including hunger, engine problems and storms before finally being captured on the Galician coast by the Civil Guard.

González stars as “Nando, the ex-boxer and leader of the pack who turns to trafficking when his other financial options dry up.”

Joining him are Nerea Barros, Nuno Lopes, Miquel Insua, Luis Zahera, Xosé Barato, Carles Francino, Manuel Manquiña, Lúcia Moniz, Luís Esparteiro, David Trejos, Leandro Firmino and Bruno Galiasso.

Daniel Calparsoro, Oskar Santos and João Maia directed the series.

The series is produced by Ficción Producciones. Mamen Quintas and Julio Casal executive produce alongside Ukbar Filmes. FORTA, led by TVG, and the Portuguese RTP co-produce.

A second season has already wrapped production and a companion, four-part docu-series, Operación Marea Negra: The Suicidal Mission is also available to license. It has already been licensed to The Roku Channel (U.S.), SBS (Australia), Ziggo (Netherlands) and Telus (Canada).

Maná to Receive Icon Award at This Year’s Billboard Latin Music Awards

Posted on September 3, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Maná has officially reached icon status…

The Mexican rock band, considered one of the best-selling Latin music artists of all time, will be honored with the Icon Award at the 2021 Billboard Latin Music Awards, according to Billboard and Telemundo.

The chart-topping and Grammy-winning band will be recognized for “having carved out a career that has not only remained relevant through time but has also made them the most distinguished band in their genre, celebrated globally for achieving both musical and commercial success.”

Comprised of Fher Olvera, Alex González, Sergio Vallín and Juan Calleros, Maná will be honored during the awards ceremony set to take place on September 23 live on Telemundo.

Maná will also deliver an exclusive performance of their new single, a remake of the classic “El Reloj Cucú” featuring 12-year-old vocalist Mabel, during the awards show.

Additionally, Maná’s frontman will be joined by Mabel to host the Inside the Soul of the Artist panel, which will honor single mothers and discuss growing up fatherless and the role heartbreak plays in the creative process, at the Billboard Latin Music Week — which returns to Miami September 20-24.

De La Tierra Releases New Single “Puro”

Posted on November 5, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

De La Tierra is back with new music…

The Latin American heavy metal supergroup has released “Puro,” the first single from its upcoming sophomore album.

De La Tierra, whose stated mission is to “elevate the roots of the Latin American continent where they were born,” will release their second album, II, on November 18 through Sony Music Latin.

The all-star band made up of Sepultura guitarist Andreas Kisser, Andrés Giménez of Argentina’s A.N.I.M.A.L., Los Fabulosos Cadillacs bassist Sr. Flavio and drummer Alex Gonzalez of Maná released their debut in 2014 and followed up with a slate of touring that included opening for Metallica on South American dates and playing Rock in Rio and other major festivals.

“This song talks about how life can take us in different directions, good or bad,” says Giménez of the gristly track. “Our soul is unbreakable. It’s up to us to understand if it’s time to be born, to grow, or to die. The payoff is always there. Nothing is easy, but nothing is impossible as long as you keep the pure power inside your heart.”

Rodriguez to be Focus of Special Exhibit at Miami’s Frost Art Museum

Posted on August 13, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

Narcisco Rodriguez is officially an exhibitionist… Sort of!

The 55-year-old fashion designer’s creations will be featured at the Patricia & Phillip Frost Art Museum in Miami.

The new exhibition titled, “Narcisco Rodriguez: An Exercise in Minimalism,” is the first solo exhibition for the American designer.

The display of the designer’s thoughtful, modern pieces will also feature never-before-seen archival materials, original sketches, video, and works of art that have influenced Rodriguez’s work.

“I am honored to be asked to be part of the celebrated history of exhibitions presented by the Frost Art Museum FIU — and particularly excited to do so during Art Basel Season in Miami,” Rodriguez said in a statement.

The exhibition — co-curated by Elle creative director Alex Gonzalez and Frost Art Museum curator Klaudio Rodriguez — will kick off with a private reception on October 8 and then open to the public the following day. It will remain on view through Jan. 8, 2017.

Rodriguez’s minimalist luxe designs are a perennial favorite of the Hollywood set. Julianna Margulies most recently wore a single-shoulder look by Rodriguez to the Accessories Council Excellence Awards.

Claire Danes, Emma Watson and Gugu Mbatha-Raw have also worn his dresses.

And First Lady Michelle Obama is a longtime fan; she wore one of his dresses on election night 2008, and another to the final State of the Union address this year.

Mana & Steve Aoki Team Up for “La Prision” Remix

Posted on August 14, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

Maná is going electronic…

The Mexican pop rock group, comprised of vocalist/guitarist Fher Olvera, drummer Alex González, guitarist Sergio Vallín and bassist Juan Calleros, has partnered with electro house musician Steve Aoki for a remix of the band’s breakup anthem “La Prisión,” the new video for which features plenty of tribal-themed action.

To the tune of Olvera’s empowering vocals, Aoki is seen crowd-surfing in Ibiza and Las Vegas, while Maná rocks different concert crowds as part of their current Cama Incendiada tour. Cuts of the original video, set in the Mojave Desert, are interspersed throughout.

The remix is a departure from Maná’s other singles from the same album, like the Shakira-assisted ballad “Mi Verdad,” but it’s definitely a club thumper.

Mana Speaks Out Against Donald Trump’s Verbal Attack on Mexican Immigrants

Posted on June 19, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

Mana isn’t afraid to trump Donald Trump when it comes to his negative comments against Mexicans…

The Mexican pop rock group, comprised of vocalist/guitarist Fher Olvera, drummer Alex González, guitarist Sergio Vallín, and bassist Juan Calleros defended the dignity of Mexican immigrants following Donald Trump’s verbal attack against the community during his presidential campaign speech.

“There is a person named Donald Trump who made very violent statements, full of hate against Mexicans and Latin Americans; called them rapists, criminals, drug traffickers, and that they were rubbish,” said Olvera at a press conference preceding the concert for the Cama Incendiada tour at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

Olvera and his bandmates reacted to Trump’s accusations after the sound test of their performance on Thursday in Los Angeles.

Cama Incendiada is the group’s latest album, whose runaway success got them a platinum disc from the label Warner Music Latin.

“It makes me sad because Mexicans have come to help build this country and it is sad that someone with so much hatred in his heart has a microphone to say these things,” he said about the statements made by Trump, after he announced his presidential nomination for the Republican Party on Tuesday.

He added such hatred was last seen in German and Nazi films and demonstrated “an excessive xenophobia.”

“We are very angry with Trump, because many Latinos are construction workers who have helped build his buildings and he is forgetting that they are the ones working hard to build the United States,” Gonzalez said
Mana was created in 1986 and has won 4 Grammys, 11 Latin Grammys and 14 Billboard Latin Music Awards among others.

Maná to Support Its Upcoming Album with Montejo-Sponsored U.S. Tour

Posted on February 10, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

Maná is ready to run north of the border…

The iconic Mexican rock band, consisting of vocalist/guitarist Fher Olvera, drummer Alex González, guitarist Sergio Vallín and bassist Juan Calleros, will embark on a U.S. tour in support of the group’s upcoming album this June with sponsorship from Mexican Montejo beer, according to brand representatives.

The announcement coincides with the release of Maná’s first single and video from their upcoming album. “Mi Verdad” is the band’s first collaboration with Shakira.

In addition to signing on for Maná’s nationwide tour, Montejo, a newcomer to the Mexican beer market in the U.S., will produce special promotions, including a sweepstakes to attend a private concert by the group in one of the brand’s breweries in Mexico.

“Montejo is a very authentic Mexican beer,” says Patricio Ferrara, director of marketing for Montejo, who says the brand aims to appeal to Spanish language-dominant Mexican consumers in the United States. “For us, it was a very natural partnership with Maná, who we consider to be the best and most authentic Mexican rock band.”

Montejo is produced in Oaxaca by Grupo Modelo and imported to the U.S. by Anheuser-Busch, which bought Grupo Modelo in 2013.

“Montejo is one of the few beers made in México and imported to the United States that doesn’t try to adopt an Anglo personality or try to change what it is,” said, Maná frontman Fher Olvera, who deemed the beer “delicious.”

“It’s important for us to feel the connection with our heritage and our fans, especially when we are traveling,” he added. “We can’t be more proud of having Montejo as our sponsor to help us celebrate our music with our fans in the United States.”

Ferrara said that the brand has made “a significant investment” into its partnership with Maná, set to raise awareness with its Latino target consumers at Maná’s sure to be sold-out concerts. Winners of four Grammy Awards and seven Latin Grammy Awards, Maná is the most successful Latin rock band in the U.S., and the world.

“The partnership will be the largest asset the brand leverages in 2015,” Ferrera said. Maná’s new album is expected in March.

The Mexican rock stars are also set to play the first Rock in Rio USA, taking place in Las Vegas in May.

Maná to Perform at Next Year’s Rock in Rio USA Festival

Posted on December 4, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

Maná is ready to rock Las Vegas…

The multiple Grammy– and Latin Grammy-winning Mexican rock group—consisting of vocalist/guitarist Fher Olvera, drummer Alex González, guitarist Sergio Vallín and bassist Juan Calleros—will perform at next year’s Rock in Rio USA event.

The Latin music superstars, considered the biggest Latin rock band in the world, are the first Spanish-language artists to be announced for the first U.S. edition of the massive festival, to take place in Las Vegas over two weekends in May 2015.

“Maná is the perfect example of the strength of the Hispanic community in the United States and how culturally diverse the country is,” Rock in Rio founder Roberto Medina said in a release announcing the band’s inclusion in the lineup.

Maná is set to play on the festival main stage during Rock Weekend (May 8-9) joining No Doubt, Metallica, Linkin Park and Rise Against. Deftones, Sepultura and Coheed & Cambria have been announced for the City of Rock Sunset stage that weekend.

Taylor Swift, John Legend and Joss Stone are the headliners revealed so far for the following Pop Weekend.

Brazilian artists Leo Gandelman, Bossacucanova and Spokfrevo have been announced for the festival’s Rock Street Brazil, which will be animated by “charismatic characters of Brazilian culture,” according to the festival website. A Rock Street USA and Rock Street UK are also planned.

Maná, the world’s biggest-selling Latin rock band, played Rock in Rio Madrid in 2012.

De La Tierra to Launch First U.S. Tour

Posted on July 19, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

Alex González and his De La Tierra are preparing to dirty up their schedules with a U.S. tour.

De La Tierra, the heavy metal super group formed by members of Sepultura, Maná, Los Fabulosos Cadillacs and A.N.I.M.A.L., will start their first U.S. tour on August 31 in Los Angeles.

“We all come from very important bands who have made their mark in rock in Latin America,” says González, known throughout the Spanish-speaking world as a member of top-selling Latin rock band Maná. Just before the release of De La Tierra’s debut album in late 2013, he described the band as, “A very special union of four good friends.”

Andreas Kisser, whose Brazilian heavy metal band Sepultura has sold 2.2 million albums in the United States, brings heavy metal cred to the project. “The whole idea of doing a heavy band in Spanish alone was amazing for me,” Kisser said.

Kisser, González and collaborators Sr. Flavio from The Fabulosos Cadillacs and Andrés Giménez of A.N.I.M.A.L. will begin De La Tierra’s U.S. tour at the Fonda Theatre in L.A. They will also play Houston, New York, Miami, Chicago, Atlanta and San Francisco.

De La Tierra performed at Mexico City’s 2013 Vive Latino Festival, and toured throughout Latin America over the past year.

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