Txuma Murugarren

Although he is from Guipuzkoa, Txuma Murugarren has lived in Bizkaia most of his life. In the early 1990s, he formed the group Sasoi Ilunak with other artists in Ortuella. Although it was not his first group, Sasoi Ilunak had the greatest impact, especially after the release of the album Harakina in 1998 (Oihuka). The group broke up shortly after, and, encouraged by the album’s success, Txuma started a solo career with Nire leihoak, an album he recorded with musicians from Lau Behi (Oihuka, 2000). The acoustic, stripped-down work was far removed from Sasoi Ilunak´s sound and showcased Txuma’s personality, offering a first glimpse of what he would offer in coming years.

That album became the starting point for a period of intense activity. He quickly turned to Rafa Rueda (PI.L.T.) to collaborate on the next album. Together with sound engineer José Lastra, they released Hegazkinen Arima (Gaztelupeko Hotsak, 2001). Thanks to significant production work, his sound took a notable leap forward, acquiring a dark touch and strong, complex electric character that he would maintain in his subsequent works.

After returning to a lighter sound with a pop-like tone, Rueda and Murugarren collaborated again on the third album, Gauak, Neskak eta Maletak (Gaztelupeko Hotsak, 2003). These musicians formed a fairly stable core group, evident in their subsequent records: Rafa Aceves (Mamba Beat) on piano, Ekaitz Hernández (Split 77) on bass, and Natxo Beltrán (Atom Rhumba) on drums.

In 2004, Jonan Ordorika reached out to Murugarren about translating and adapting Lou Reed’s songs. The album Mila Esker was the result of this collaboration. Txuma himself adapted and recorded the song Smalltown with Joseba Tapia.

For the album Nire anaiaren kotxeko argiak (Gaztelupeko Hotsak, 2004), he collaborated with electronic music producers Templar & Birdy. Brave and always ready to experiment with new things, he demonstrated the great indietronica and folktronica styles influence from bands on the Morr album at the time through minimalist and beautiful electronic pieces with classic pop structures.

Following this intense period, his subsequent productions adopted a more relaxed pace. In 2006, he recorded Hau in collaboration with Rafa Rueda and Petti (Gaztelupeko Hotsak, 2006) and, together with writer Julen Gabiria, wrote the music for the show Mathilde maitatzeko moduak. In 2007, he released his next solo record, Marjinalia, also on Gaztelupeko Hotsak. It offered a beautiful, multifaceted view of all the styles he had worked with up to that point, including pop, dark folk, and even cabaret.

After a long break, he released B Aldeko Kantuak (Gaztelupeko Hotsak, 2010). In 2013, he released 14 Abesti eta Hamahiru istorio Txiki with guitarist Ángel Unzu (Gaztelupeko Hotsak). Txuma’s focus was on the lyrics and vocals, while Unzu took charge of the music composition.

In 2016, he released Zerbait ari da gertatzen hor, a powerful, narrative rock album. Soon after, he released Marmokak eta Itsas izarrak vinyl single. In 2024, he released Gautegia, his personal take on Nick Cave’s album Nocturama. In 2025, he released Hemen beharko luke.

“The small deception of life. The illusion placed before us. What we once believed we could touch with our fingertips. We invested all our time pursuing that which always seemed on the verge of ripening. Now that it should be here, however, we realize that it never ripened and never will. Everyone will have their own goal during this long, fruitless wait. However, we mustn’t think that all hope is lost. The message is that we are still alive and vulnerable, and this is not the time to give up. Life is elusive and sometimes stingy, yet it also offers extraordinary beauty “.

Txuma Murugarren’s words, written as an introduction to the album, are left intact here, as they provide the perfect description of the fascination produced by this extraordinary collection of songs. We can add that Txuma successfully conveys the message through these songs.

An emotional confession created and recorded at home with his loved ones and friends that is a call to live, enjoy, and feel life to the fullest, with good music always as a companion.