Mikel Markez – “Gauza Xumeetan”

By Ander Egiluz Beramendi

In twenty-five years of his musical career, Mikel Markez has become an indispensable name in the music scene of the Basque Country. He could even be considered a classic, although he is in a very creative stage and his latest work, Indar dabil bat hor (There is a force around), is probably the best of his discography.

Markez, a singer-songwriter in the strictest sense, shows great talent in his tenth album, perfectly blending a simple sound, away from any kind of virtuosity, with the depth of vindictive yet always optimistic lyrics. In Gauza xumeetan (In the simple things), one of the few songs he made a video of, Mikel Markez’s style can be perfectly appreciated: catchy melodies, pleasant chords, and a message of solidarity that depicts this beloved artist from the province of Gipuzkoa − “Everything that is kept gets lost, rots, and extinguishes. Everything that is given grows, rises, and comes back.”

 

Another great name in Basque music, Benito Lertxundi, participates in the song reciting the chorus at the end of the track. But The Bard from Orio is not the only one who worked with Markez on the album, who also invited to the studio singers, poets, and musicians like Xabier Amuriza, Amaiur Cajaraville, Josu Zabala, Alaitz Telletxea, Arkaitz Miner, the Aire sisters, Satxa Soriazu, Gotzon Barandiaran, and Andrea Bidart, member of the Basque-American trio Noka.

 

 

 

The album can be purchased here.

 

 

 

Ander Egiluz Beramendi is a journalist and Delegate in the USA for Basque Tribune. aegiluz@basquetribune.com