Izaro takes the Etxepare Basque Institute Award for Best Album in Basque at the 2024 MIN Awards

The jury awarded the artist for her album ‘Cerodenero’ (2023). She received the award from Josu Ximun, member of the band Belako. ´Cerodenero´, Izaro Andrés’ fifth studio album embarks on an inner journey filled with contrasts of pop, folk, electronic, and roots music. The album’s 12 songs are an emotional journey in four stages, a sonorous and conceptual journey expressed through poetry, metaphors and melodies, featuring peaks, valleys, rage and electronic beats. During her remarks at the awards ceremony, she advocated for the right and freedom to use Euskara in the Basque Country, not only in artistic creation but also in culture and everyday life.

Other artists in this category who made it to the semi-finals following the public vote were Akaleia, Esne Beltza, Ibil Bedi, Jai/ egun, Kepa Junkera, Kuttune, Intza, Mugan, Nøgen and Sara Azurza. The jury then selected the finalists: Amorante, Bulego, Ezpalak, Zetak and Izaro, the latter clinching the award.

Other Basque artists also competed in other categories: Belako (Best Rock Album and Best Graphic Design), Ben Yart (Best Urban Music Recording) and Chica Sobresalto (Best Music Production). The MIN Awards include categories for different musical styles (best jazz record, best rock record, etc.), languages (Basque, Catalan, Galician), as well as other more general awards (best record, best video clip, best song...).

The event, hosted by influencer, actress and collaborator on TV and radio, Laura Yustres (Lala Chus), provided the audience with the chance to experience live performances by Xoel López, Valeria Castro, Sexy Zebras, Lia Kali, Baiuca & Alba Reche, Fillas de Cassandra and Tacho & Los Manolo.

The stars of the night were Baiuca and Alba Reche. The duo received three awards for their work ´Diamante´, which combines electronica and Galician folklore: the Radio 3 award for Song of the Year, the SAE Spain award for Best Music Production and the award for Best Electronic Recording. Other top winners were Valeria Castro and Cala Vento, who each won two awards. Zahara was named artist of the year and wanted to share the award with Izaro, referring to one of the songs on her latest album: "The keys of your house open my door, I love you, I admire you, you inspire me". The Mario Pacheco Award of Honour went to the founder of Gladys Palmera, Alejandra Fierro.

Photos: Canelita Estudio. 

MIN Awards

The MIN Awards were created in 2009 by the national non-profit association of independent music companies in Spain, Unión Fonográfica Independiente, to recognize artistic creation, celebrate cultural diversity, honour new talent, and acknowledge the artistic excellence of independent music produced in Spain. Every year, they promote music published by independent labels as well as self-published works at both national and international levels.