Atlantis
Los Angeles, CA | Established. Jan 01, 2010 | SELF
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Rustien and Travis Merriweather, students at the University of Texas at San Antonio, were raised in Houston by their mother, Lydia Johnson, to have an impact in their community. She taught them discipline and to be positive forces of society.
“We were forged in the fires of that attitude,” Travis said. “We owe everything to our mother, who at times worked three jobs; she's our architect.”
Their civic activism led to the 22-year-old twins being selected among more than 1,000 students to attend the Clinton Global Initiative University this spring at George Washington University in Washington, D.C. Founded by President Bill Clinton in 2005, the CGI offered students and youth organizations from every state and 82 countries a forum to discuss solutions to global issues that included environment and climate change, education, poverty alleviation and public health.
“It was an honor and a blessing to attend the initiative,” Rustien said. “We wanted to represent our university to the fullest extent and take the opportunity to become social entrepreneurs.”
As part of their application, the brothers submitted a commitment-to-action plan for a campus farmers market, thus reducing gas mileage and carbon emissions for trucking, and a green design expo in which university students and engineers could present ecological innovations.
On the third day, the group they were in at the initiative helped build a walkway for a woman with multiple sclerosis, one of many CGI home renovation projects.
Eric Gentry, UTSA associate vice president for development, and Yvonne Peña, director of the Student Leadership Center, secured money for the trip from the Valero Energy Foundation.
The brothers' selection for the initiative was a first for the campus, Peña said.
“Their proposal is fitting with what San Antonio is trying to do in terms of sustainability,” she said, also praising their use of music.
“Music is a big passion of theirs, and they want to show their peers they can create opportunities for change within the community and use music to outreach to others. I have no doubt the Merriweather brothers will do that.”
They grew up listening to artists who ranged from Beethoven to funk bassist Bootsy Collins. Both brothers are pursuing bachelor of arts degrees. Travis plays bass guitar, and Rustien's emphasis is on composition. He reads poetry and is a jazz keyboardist.
On Friday nights, the brothers play at Luce Ristorante e Enoteca. They're members of the band Atlantis, too, which includes two other twins, Michael and Daniel Ramon.
They say there's a message in their music and that they have encouraged concertgoers to bring canned food and bottled water to help the Salvation Army feed the homeless.
“It's about the rebirth of music and revival of the musician's creed,” Rustien said. “We want to be agents of change for social good through any avenue; that's what the Merriweathers live for.”
Read more: http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local_news/article/Twins-first-UTSA-students-selected-to-attend-3537405.php#ixzz2IBVnQBnb
- San Antonio Express News
Discography
Atlantis collaborated with GRAMMY and two-time Emmy Award Winning producer Gerard Bustos on their newest single "Sabrosa" out now!
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Bio
"The rebirth of music and the revival of the musician's creed," carries a powerful meaning for the formation and purpose of the group.
Atlantis, popularly known as the Lost City, parallels the loss of musicianship in mainstream music today while the rebirth is symbolized by the rise of The Lost City from the depths of the ocean to be rediscovered on the shores of music lovers across the world!
In the digital age of music, Atlantis hopes to illuminate its listeners with instrumental sounds that crosses genres and includes: neo-soul, r&b, rock, hip-hop, and latin jazz.
Although the group has only been together for 2 years, Atlantis' quality sound has been recognized by many seasoned professionals in the industry as up-and coming- and has provided entertainment for a number of high profile events ranging from GRAMMY U events to private parties for BeyoncĂŠ Knowles' family. In addition, Atlantis collaborated with Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Bootsy Collins on their single "Rush of Love" aboard the John Lennon Tour Bus--an organization created through a partnership with Yoko Ono to spotlight up-and coming artists across America.
Equipped with a rare combination of talent and vision, Atlantis is poised to become a force within the music industry, and emerges with a positive mindset and the knowledge of purpose.
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