Sin Bandera

Sin Bandera
Origin	Mexico City, Mexico
Genre(s)	Latin pop / Mexican pop R&B
Years active	2000 - 2007
Label(s)	Sony Discos
Former members
Leonel García Noel Schajris

Sin Bandera is a Latin pop duo based in Mexico that consists of Leonel García, and Noel Schajris. They have become one of the most popular artists since they debuted with their self titled album Sin Bandera in 2001.

Biography

Leonel Garcia (from Mexico) had the idea to be soloist, he showed dexterity with the guitar and the voice, but his project remained frozen at the record companies. At the same time, Noel Schajris (from Argentina) was preparing another solo album after making his debut in 1999. Both being musicians, composers and singers, they discovered the ideal formula to unite their talents and personalities in 2000.

Sin Badera in concert at the Chumash Casino Resort in Santa Ynez, California, April 4, 2006.

There was immediate chemistry: they spoke about their favorite music, of the albums they bought, and about the singer-songwriters they were most interested in... and coincided in everything. The two wanted to sing, but Noel preferred the piano, and Leonel, the guitar, for which at no time there was collision of interests, but an integration of musical inclinations.

They later began to write and record their self-titled debut album "Sin Bandera", which touched the feelings of the romantic public in a special way with the production of the fellow musician Aureo Baqueiro. In their first meeting they did three songs, during a single day. Composing songs was the best way for them to be known. After having separate musical experiences, It turned out to be very exciting to feel the force that they achieved together.

The name "Sin Bandera" (Without a Flag) was adopted to transmit the idea to worry about world union. They both thought that we lived in a separate society, that we get to the point where we no longer believe in ideology or in language, and we end up thinking that one is the enemy of the other. As love and music do not have a flag, from that they were inspired to name their new musical adventure. The duo wants to spread that message through the music; We are one and that feeling is the best route to communication; That love is the fundamental energy that gives sense to all.

"Entra en mi Vida", their first single, is a song written by themselves, in which they express the magic of love and the emotions that occur upon a first encounter with that special someone. It was also the main theme of the Mexican telenovela Cuando seas mía. The singles Kilómetros and Sirena also became favorites among the young public. Their success extended to Spain, Argentina, and the United States, Costa Rica and many other countries around the world.

In 2002, Sin Bandera was nominated for two Latin Grammy awards for "Best Revelation" and "Best Group Album", which was awarded to them in Los Angeles, California on September 18. Their premiere album sold over one million copies. The album also went Platinum in Mexico, and Gold in Costa Rica and Argentina. It received various ¡Oye! and Lo Nuestro (Best Pop Album) awards, and an MTV Latino award (for Best Artist).

After a few restless months, in 2003, they recorded "Amor Real", which also served as the main theme for that homonymous soap opera. The duo was also responsible for opening concerts for Alejandro Sanz in the United States, and shortly after, in Spain.

By the end of 2003, their second album "De Viaje" arrived, produced again by Baqueiro, that likewise approached the millions of sales at international level, little by little. The album also remained for 16 continuous weeks in the lists of Billboard and its Hot Latin Tracks. Among the 16 tracks of the album there was "Que Lloro", "Mientes tan Bien", "Amor Real", "Bien", "Magia", "Canción para días lluviosos" and "Puede ser", which was a duet with Presuntos Implicados. Of these, the first 3 were number 1's in Mexico, an achievement only RBD and Shakira have managed to obtain.

In 2004 they carried out their tour to Venezuela, Bolivia, Argentina, Paraguay, Chile, Ecuador, Colombia, Mexico, the United States and Spain, among other countries. They were also nominated again for the fifth annual Latin Grammy awards, where they won the award for "Best Pop Vocal Group Album" for the second time around. After a successful gain as Better Pop Vocal Album by Duet or Group- by second consecutive year. Also, after a successful miniseason in Teatro Metropólitan of Mexico (3,300 spectators), they received the opportunity to play for the first time in the Auditorio Nacional of Mexico City (9,600 spectators) with two dates in the middle of October.

Their album "Mañana", which was released November 22, 2005, contains the single "Suelta mi mano". This album also contains a soft atmosphere duet, Como tú y como yo ("Like you and like me"), sung with talented Italian pop singer Laura Pausini.

Their latest album, "Pasado", is a sequel to "Mañana". This time, Sin Bandera teamed up with noted producers Aureo Baqueiro, Mario Domm and Jay de la Cueva. The emphasis this time is on international ballads of the '70s and '80s. Sin Bandera reworks the tunes with a slower, more soulful R&B touch.

The CD also includes De Vita's philosophical "Un buen perdedor"; Sanz's anthemic and Beatlesque "Lo Ves"; and Montaner's lovely but haunting "Sera." Underwhelming is the pair's English-language rendition of "Love Is in the Air."

"These are the tunes which fascinated us when we were young adolescents," Garcia said. "Tunes like `Serenata Rap' and `Mis Impulsos Sobre Ti' are the songs that move us (now)."

In 2007, the duo decided to split and start solo careers.

Their greatest hits album, 'Hasta Ahora' was released on December 3rd 2007, as an individual CD and in a special edition package which included a DVD of their commercially released music videos.

Discography

External links

(Spanish) Official Website