Esteban and Diego – French Flamenco cousins!

Every now and then there comes a musical act that slowly draws you in until you find yourself hooked. Even more rarely, comes an act like the French duo “Esteban and Diego” that grabs you by both hands and starts dancing the passo doblo with you! 

“It feels like we were designed to play together so it explodes on stage!” – Esteban

 I first encountered Esteban and Diego when looking for musical contributions to the International Christmas Child charity album. If I were to summarise these boys in one word it would have to be ‘energy’. All the exuberant, cheeky, humour so characteristic of young boys, but also the energy apparent in their dedication to their music and in their commitment to each other.

The Story Begins 

Esteban and Diego’s mothers are sisters and as close as sisters can be, so it was natural that the young cousins began playing together from an early age.

Esteban y Diego - friendsDuring a New Year celebration, the family discovered with amazement that Esteban had an incredible talent for singing. Diego was already a gifted guitarist and, since they were inseparable, the duo was born! 

“I started taking lessons at age 9, and a year later, Esteban started learning. Because our mothers are so close, we are always together. So it is natural that we started playing together.” Diego

They take guitar lessons from Manu who is a guitar teacher of the association “El Hogar de los Españoles” in La Plaine Saint Denis, near Paris. Hence, you will hear a distinctly Spanish, Flamenco flavour to their music and may see them referred to either as “Esteban y Diego” (Spanish) or “Esteban et Diego” (French) or indeed, since I am writing in English, I will refer to them as “Esteban and Diego” to avoid confusion!

2011-10-12 Ils font l'ouverture d'un festival en direct sur une grande radio françaiseA Duo is Born

In December 2009, they played for the first time as “Esteban and Diego” to an association for the mayor of the 19th in Paris. Soon after, they were performing various concerts in Paris and its suburbs.

October 12, 2011, they opened the French live music festival “Cities of World Music.” On 09 November 2011, they performed on the show “France has got Talent”. Performance requests began pouring in from all over France and the young musicians continued to grow their fan base at home and abroad. 

The Journey continues…

Following their TV appearances, they were noticed by Marie Jo Audouard of the production company “Be my sound: Hope records.” Soon Esteban and Diego had released their first single “Cuando Bailas” which was composed and performed by the boys. The track is available for download on several internet platforms (Deezer, Amazon etc …). 

Cuando BailasRémi Castillo – radio host, journalist and producer – also has a heart for this little duo. After hearing their single “Cuando Bailas” he decided to delight the boys by helping them make a music video for their song. Today, Rémi Castillo guides them and helps them grow. In May 2013, he released a book “The Epic of Young Talents” in which he speaks of them. 

Esteban and Diego have since had numerous TV appearances including “The Voice kids” in September 2014 and a program called “Gulli” in October 2014.

An incredible story of loyalty

“We know each other so well. We share everything together, in private as well as on stage. We cannot imagine our music without each other.” – Diego

You Raise Me UpAs well as being incredibly talented and entertaining, Esteban and Diego have a special quality which sets them apart from many other groups of their age: they are completely committed to each other. This is not difficult while success remains limited and neither party has much to lose, but for the friendship to survive at the dizzying heights that Esteban and Diego have reached proves that the bond they share is very powerful. 

“Diego is like my big brother. Sometimes we fight a bit, but in the music we are always united.” – Esteban

I know the boys and their families will not mind me sharing a fairly personal story of when this loyalty was truly put to the test. 

2012-01-00 Britain's got talentEsteban and Diego travelled to England to audition for “Britain’s Got Talent” a few years ago. This was before their numerous television appearances so, no doubt, it was a big deal for them. The producers liked what they saw and heard. A lot. But there was one condition: Esteban and Diego would have to separate as the producers were not interested in promoting a duo.

The boys made their decision quickly and unanimously. They picked up their guitars and went home to France! They were “Esteban and Diego” not “Esteban or Diego”!

It is such a delight to see the success the boys are enjoying now. Not only in France but, increasingly, all over the world. It is an honour to be able to feature them here and wish them every success for an exciting future, fuelled by the energy that only Esteban and Diego can give!

“When we began to see that people liked what we were doing, we were amazed. Even today we are surprised every time people take notice of us.” – Esteban

Happy Cousins

“We do not know where this will lead us – we thought it would stop after our first TV appearance – but it’s been more than 3 years and the adventure continues! Thank you to all those who make it possible.” – Diego

Stay up to date with all their news and find links to all their social media on their website: 

www.esteban-diego.com

Sebastian Janoski Extraordinary Talent on the Rise

“I truly love to sing, write and play music, if I am able to combine that with acting and my love of the theater, it is just a perfect day!!”                                                                                          Sebastian Janoski

Sebastian in Studio

 

Record Labels, Movies, Singles, Music Videos, National Television, and Radio…..2014 looks to be another successful year for rising star Sebastian Janoski!

I remember the first time I saw Sebastian Janoski. Stumbling upon a YouTube Channel with less than 10 videos and only a handful of subscribers, I see a 12 year old young man sitting at his picnic table in the back yard of his home, belting out a song while accompanying himself acoustically on his guitar. I was blown away!

Nearly two years has passed since then, and for Sebastian Janoski, it’s been like a never ending roller coaster of career milestones that would keep even the most seasoned of performers in awe. His YouTube Channel now sports 89 videos with nearly 45,000 views.

In our last update for Sebastian he had just returned from his 2nd appearance on The “Katie Couric Show” and at that time had no idea the new roads those appearances would take him down.

Sebastian Takes on the Big Screen

That National Television appearance was obviously a success, because not long after that appearance, Sebastian was contacted by Award winning author and filmmaker Kenneth Del Vecchio of JFA Productions and the founder of the annual Hoboken International Film Festival.  Mr. Del Vecchio took notice and reached out to Sebastian through Facebookinviting him to be his personal guest to the 2013 Festival.

Sebastian says of that experience; “It was absolutely amazing to walk the red carpet for the first time! Spending time at that huge event, meeting all the producers, directors and actors was just too exciting!!”

 

Red Carpet Rock Story
  On the set of Rock Story with Kenneth DelVecchio and Seregon O’Dassey

It’s definitely not going to be the last red carpet event Sebastian will be attending, because, not long after that, Mr. DelVecchio offered him a role in his upcoming movie “Rock Story” starring the likes of Academy award nominated actors such as Eric Roberts.

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