Aldakan, Capsula, EZEZEZ and J Martina chosen for the second round of ‘Artistas en Ruta’
Euskara. Kultura. Mundura.
Artistas en ruta (Artists on the Road), organised by AIE (the Spanish agency for the management of intellectual property rights for musicians), has announced the Basque groups that will be performing live in different venues around Spain in the last half of 2024: Aldakan, Capsula, EZEZEZ and J Martina.
AIEnRUTa-Artists is a programme aimed at promoting live music and introducing audiences to new talent. It achieves its goal by organising a series of concerts throughout Spain over the course of the year. Many well-known artists have participated in the programme, including Amorante, Hofe x 4:40, Merina Gris, Neomak, Airu, Kulto Kultibo, Verde Prato, Amak, Lukiek, Ezpalak, Bulego, Idoia, Dupla, Olatz Salvador and Zetak.
Each year AIEnRuta consists of two rounds: the first from January to June, and the second from September to December. The selection of the groups is made by a committee comprising journalists, theatre programmers, and cultural professionals from all over Spain., Amorante, Hofe x 4:40 and Merina Gris will perform in the first round (until June, 2024) of the programme.
The Etxepare Basque Institute works in partnership with AIEnRUTa-Artistas to secure the participation of Basque musicians in both rounds of the concert circuit (January-June and September-December).
Aldakan was formed in 2017 purely for enjoyment, bringing together a group of friends who shared a passion for Afro-Latin rhythms and the joy of playing, exploring, and sharing their discoveries. Almost all the band members had previously played together in the Gasteiz Big Band, Ortophonk or Turukutupa.
The desire to connect with the audience lies at the heart of this project, a concept that is evident in each concert and in the selection of the repertoire, which includes rhythms such as Cumbia, Funk, Afrobeat, Chamame, Songo, Festejo, Plena, and Swing.
In essence, an Aldakan concert is a celebration where dance and a carefree attitude come together.
Capsula has had a solid footing in the Basque Country since 1998. Spearheaded by Argentinians Martín Pablo Ladrón de Guevara, better known as Martín Capsula (guitar and vocals), and Constanza Lísica Godoy (bass and vocals). The band delves into dark, psychedelic rock and roll, and punk. In just a few years, they’ve become one of the most dynamic rock bands in the country.
Their music has a unique sound that combines garage, glam and punk rock. In 2021 they released their 13th album: ‘Phantasmaville’.
The group was founded in 2022 by Unai Madariaga. Unai´s first solo work (´The Living and dying of a Man´, 2021) was produced by Eneko Ajangiz. It was this synergy that planted the seed for the creation of the group, later joined by Álvaro Olaetxea (Capsula) and Mikel Irigoyen. In October 2022, EZEZEZ released their first album, ´When I Think Something is Funny I Smile´, containing 14 songs.
The band´s latest work, ‘Katuzaldia’ (2023), has all edgy energy and irony of their previous work, while also solidifying their sound and showcasing their unique style. The album´s sound is a fusion of influences, blending elements of Viagra Boys and Parquet Courts with the raw energy of Idles, all while nodding to the gritty aesthetics of incipient grunge and seventies psychedelia. All the songs are written in Basque.
J Martina is a young electronic pop band. Their music features electronic beats, often incorporating synthesizers, blended with melodic vocals. The group is made up of Javier Jorajuria and sisters Kattalin and Ane Bárcena. The band´s camaraderie, pursuit of contemporary sounds, and connection to art are evident in their music.
After releasing several singles, in 2022, the J Martina trio released ‘Jaio naiz baina’, a six-track EP. ‘Jaio Naiz Baina’ is an album that was created in collaboration with the sculptor Sahatsa Jauregi, who designed a visual universe featuring steel, glass, mirrors, and structures to complement the album´s imagery.
Etxepare Basque Institute and the programme
‘Artistas en Ruta’ is a programme aimed at promoting live music at the national level. Over the course of several months, live performances are organised in partnership with music venues. The circuit has two rounds (January-June and September-December) and in each stage journalists and industry experts select which musicians will perform. The 18 groups selected will have the chance to perform in venues Spain-wide during last four months of the year. Four of these groups are from the Basque Country. Through its yearly agreement with the AIE, the Etxepare Basque Institute secures the participation of Basque musicians in the concert circuit.
