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PHOTOGRAPHS |
MIKEL URDANGARIN
DISCOGRAPHY
Like a seedling in a greenhouse,
Haitzetan (GH022) had been growing slowly since 1997, the year in which it was
released as a self-production. Two years later it was “transplanted” to
Gaztelupeko Hotsak with its original design untouched.
This is a “tree with naked
roots”, featuring simple, figurative compositions which are rich and sober at
the same time. The songs are based on an almost naked voice, accompanied only
by the guitar and the cello. The lyrics were written by Iñaki Aurrekoetxea and
Mikel Urdangarin himself.
After the
success of his first work, in 1998 Urdangarin released Badira Hiru Aste
(GH011). Most of the lyrics were written by Mikel, but Iñaki Aurrekoetxea and
Arkaitz Estiballes also made some contributions. Concerning the music, the album
features Scottish violinist Jonathan Bews, Luis Camino’s percussions, Pello
Ramirez on the cello, Iñaki Zabaleta on the piano, Josu Zabala on the
accordion, etc.
Espilue
(GH032 – 2000) consolidated Mikel’s reputation as one of the most interesting
singer-songwriters of the Basque musical scene. This is a much more elaborate
and complex album that explores new sonorities, without losing an inch of
Urdangarin’s freshness and particular style.
Among the many artists who
collaborated on the album we must again mention Jonathan Bews, Pello Ramirez
and Josu Zabala, and new contributions such as Bingen Mendizabal, Pablo Tato or
Rogelio Botanz, among others.
Kirmen Uribe and Igor Elortza
wrote some of the lyrics.
Bar
Puerto (GH042 - 2001) tells the story of a man who returns to his home
neighbourhood, which is about to disappear. Bingen Mendizabal and Mikel
Urdangarin reinterpret Kirmen Uribe’s texts combining literature, music and
video in a unique show.
This project features
musicians from fields as diverse as folk, jazz and rock, and blends traditional
songs with new ones in a completely innovative way.
In Heldu Artean (GH049 -
2002), Mikel shows his urban side without abandoning his folk roots. This is
Urdangarin’s most personal work, as he wrote all the lyrics (twelve altogether)
except one by Kirmen Uribe. It is an open, fresh and natural album, which
respects the first takes and offers a harsh, real sound.
With Lagun Artean, (GH DVD01
- 2003), a warm and cosy recital, Mikel tried to show what he considers the
essence of music in close collaboration with his public.
This is the artist’s first
DVD, including interviews, information on his albums and thirteen songs that
cover the whole of Mikel Urdangarin’s career. The album features some of the musicians
who have worked with him over the years.
A harmonious blend of artistic disciplines, this
album-book features five contemporary Basque creators from different cultural
fields (poetry, song, cinema, alternative rock and illustration): Kirmen
Uribe, Mikel Urdangarin, Bingen Mendizabal, Rafa
Rueda and Mikel Valverde.
New York critics have
included Zaharregia, txikiegia agian (GH063 - 2003) among the five most interesting album-books of the year
along with Lou Reed or Leonard Cohen’s, among
others.
After a seemingly unproductive period, during
which he continued working and collaborating on a number of projects,
Urdangarin released Dana (Elkar KD707 - 2005), his most eclectic and
electric album. Produced with the assistance of Bingen Mendizabal,
Rafa Rueda, Pablo Tato and Fernando Saiela,
it includes Pello Ramirez and Koldo Uriarte’s
contributions, Mikel F. Krutziaga’s co-production and Kirmen
Uribe’s lyrics in two songs.