ERROMINTXELAK: voice, swing, gipsy

Today, a distant echo arrived: joyful and festive at times, slow and emotional at others. It was a loquacious sound, not without a certain nostalgia, music from another place and time. It arrived unexpectedly to remind us of who we were and who we are. Subtle and hopeful, it was strangely familiar, the echo of a distant place sung in the language of the land.

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Erromintxelak was formed in Arrasate in 2021 when a group of exceptional musicians joined forces, determined to blend the tradition of swing music with Basque poetry. They aimed to breathe new life into this timeless genre by performing it in their native language. The band, formed by Jon García (De Val, Datta-Denso) on vocals and guitar, Iñigo Zubizarreta (Soziedad Alkohólika, Los Galerna, Tako) on Manouche guitar, Jokin Vitoria (Los Galerna, Ze Esatek! , Arima Soul on drums, washboard and percussion, Aitor Moreno (EIJO, Spolem Girls and Los Galerna) on double bass, Daniel Apodaka on violin and Andoni Aizpuru (Crazy Jazzers and Div@s of Soul) on tenor saxophone, has undergone an extraordinary evolution. In 2023, they released the critically acclaimed single Esperoan, accompanied by a music video. The single won awards at competitions such as Huhezinema (audience award for best music video) and Hiriko Soinuak (best artist in Basque). Their overwhelming live performances have earned them the opportunity to perform at various venues and festivals in Gipuzkoa, including: Kutxa Fundazioa Kluba and Glad Is The Day (Donostia), Pasaia Itsas Festibala and San Agustin Kulturgunea (Azpeitia). This confirms them not only as one of the most interesting acts in the swing scene but also elevates them to the status of the new sensation in this genre, coinciding with the release of this album.

Nork Erran Eni was recorded at Gaua Studios in Mungia by Asier Zubelzu. The album features two tracks, Nork Erran Eni and Esperoan, which were previously recorded by Kaki Arkarazo at Garate Studios in Andoain. The album perfectly captures the essence of swing music, offering an acoustic and organic sound that is, above all, original. It is a worthy heir to tradition, with the added value of being performed in Basque. Erromintxelak lives up to its reputation as a live band and invites us to celebrate the festive spirit of each track on its debut album. The Guipuzcoan band takes us on a journey through swing with Nork Erran Eni, featuring lyrics by Jon Mirande and the exceptional vocals of renowned jazz singer Irati Bilbao. This track evokes the spirit of Cole Porter or Duke Ellington, with lyrics once again penned by Jon Mirande. Although the main responsibility for musical composition falls to Jon García del Val (arranger of all the tracks), Aitor Moreno and the rest of the band, the exception is Oies errondan dabil, an original composition by Mikel Laboa, interpreted in the unique style of Erromintxelak. Pako Aristi contributes lyrics to the cosmopolitan Erabaki, while another distinguished guest, Leire Etxezarreta (Neomak), provides backing vocals to Luigi Anselmi’s lyrics on Gehienetan Urrun, in New Orleans parade style along with Jon García on the emotional Zapping Zalearena with lyrics by Xabier Montoia. The band showcases its streetwise and cool side in Heriotzaren Andere, breathing new life into the spirit of Cab Calloway in the dynamic Esperoan, inspired by a poem by Martin Bidaur.

Erromintxelak is music from here and now: elegant, streetwise and lively sounds with a hint of another time, when there was no hurry. Like an echo from across the sea, Nork Erran Eni urges us to celebrate by remembering who we are: a subtle and hopeful echo sung in the language of the land.

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