ARTIST: Korrontzi
COUNTRY: Basque Country / Spain
GENRE: Folk, World, Roots
MORE ABOUT: Since, in 2004 the band started their adventure all over at all kind of stages, Korrontzi has run a long path. The publication of their first work in 2006 “Korrontzi” (Nubenegra), was the perfect introduction to play in first line festivals all over, like Getxo, who will call them again later for a great project.
Awards didn’t take long to arrive: in 2006 (first prize at NAVELGAS -Asturias-, to the best new band and EUROFOLK, best national band) and, in 2008 (EUROFOLK again, best European band). Grown ups and youngsters, all received their music in an excellent way and the critics, have always supported them. All this pushed them to follow the same line, although always with open minds, to innovation and, collaboration.
That shows in their second work, “Getxo”, where first line folk artists participate with success, like Mikel Urdangarin, Faltriqueira or Susana Seivane. This was registrated absolutely live in the prestigious international folk festival of the same name. It’s published in digipack format (cd+dvd) and, although formerly, the 11 new songs were thought for a studio record, they finally end up being included in this splendid live work. “Getxo” is not the end of any stage or a compilation, it just reflects the intention of showing the band’s live act to the big public. Korrontzi is one of those groups that sound great on cd, but drive you crazy in one of their live shows. The most active band in the Basque folk scene, have played in festivals, theatres and celebrations all over the Iberian peninsula and several European countries (Germany, Ireland, France…). They are currently looking to the world in what it seems to be a very promising future.
And, as final touch to a great concert, the “dantzaris”. The Basque traditional dancers, are the perfect ornament for the stage in the already attractive show of Korrontzi. Some of the numbers, are accompanied by these lively “dantzaris”, giving it all a color and intensity that makes the audience want to get up there and dance with them, showing everyone a bit more of what Basque tradition is all about. And all the ancestral instruments, meanwhile, are played intensely for everyone’s joy.
The members of the band have changed since they started. The current line-up is formed by experienced artists. Agus, founded the group URGABE, was a music teacher and has won several awards as triki player. Iker, was also part of URGABE and a music teacher too. Ander played with Urgabe and is a percussion & drums teacher. Kike comes from 6 years with Kepa Junkera, and a music degree by Musikene, Basque Superior Conservatory. Alberto, is the most experienced, veteran artist in the band. He’s played and recorded with Kepa Junkera, Gontzal Mendibil and Pantxoa eta Peio. He runs his own recording studio in Getxo, Bizkaia.
MUSICIANS AND INSTRUMENTS:
- Agus Barandiaran: trikitixa (diatonic accordion) & vocals
- Kike Mora: bass guitar
- Iker Lope de Bergara: alboka (Basque double clarinet), albokote, whistles, transverse flute, tambourine, txistu (Basque flute), xirula (three hole Basque flute) & backing vocals
- Ander Hurtado de Saratxo: drums & cajón
- Alberto Rodriguez: acoustic guitar & mandolin
SELECTED DISCOGRAPHY:
- “Infernuko Hauspoa” (DVD, 2011)
- “Getxo” (2008)
- “Korrontzi” (2006)
SELECTED VIDEOS:
SELECTED PRESS REVIEWS AND QUOTES:
“The music has a freshness and spirit that is infectious” (David Cox, RootsWorld)
“Korrontzi is a fresh and lively new band, one that owes something to the big shadow of Kepa Junkera across the Basque Country, but certainly features its own talents as well. It seems the musical legacy of the Basque country is in good hands.” (David Cox, RootsWorld)
“The conjunction of the diatonic accordion -trikitixa- with mandoline and double clarinet -the Basque alboka- supported by bass and percussion, facilitates the elaboration of a dynamic music, lively and harmonious, which, from time to time, draws into the longing for sweet nostalgic melodies” (Womex)
“Korrontzi brings us spirited accordion, and vocals that bounce along over percussion, woodwinds, bagpipes, bass and guitars [...]. The musicians bring the Basque country to your ears and to your feet.” (Cranky Crow Whole Music)
“Désolé! Je ne parle pas basque mais je voulais remercier Korrontzi pour le fabouleux concert donné à Tatihou. J’espère que vous avez pris autant de plaisir à jouer que nous avons eu à vous écouter. Ce n’etait que du bonheur.” (Marcel)
“La ingeniosa mezcla de los sonidos ha llevado a Korrontzi a ser considerado el mejor grupo español en el concurso Málaga Eurofolk 2006″ (World 1, #63)
“Die fuenf Musiker der Gruppe Korrontzi gehoeren durchaus nicht zu den Traditionalisten. Sie singen zwar in Euskera, der baskischen Sprache, und allerhand Elemente ihrer Stuecke haben fraglos Wurzeln in der Volksmusik ihrer Heimat, aber zugleich legen sie einen satten Rhythmus unter die Stuecke, der deutlich auf Folkrock verweist.” (Weserkurier)
“Planteamiento instrumental fuerte, innovador y muy muy rítmico” (Folc)
“Hace ya mucho tiempo que la música tradicional ha dejado de ser considerada como algo rancio y trasnochado para convertirse en una realidad cambiante y abierta al futuro. El folk que practica el grupo vizcaíno Korrontzi es, desde luego, un folk contemporáneo y avanzado.” (Diario del Alto Aragon)
“Wieder einmal zeigt sich, dass Weltmusik – auch wenn sie einem fremd ist -gemeinschaftsstiftend und unterhaltsam sein kann” (Reutlinger Nachrichten)
“Jazz-, Rock- und Popelemente werden von Korrontzi so geschickt in die baskische Volksmusik mit ihren keltischen Wurzeln integriert, dass die Authentizitaet keinen Schaden nimmt” (Schwaebisches Tageblatt)
“Die Band lieferte ein hinreissendes und kraftvolles Konzert, dessen Reiz auf der uralten Wirkung ausgelassener laendlicher Taenze beruhte, aber erst durch die musikalische Perfektion und originelle Interpretation seinen besonderen Charme entfaltete” (Schwaebisches Tageblatt)
“Ein beschwingter Abend” (Weserkurier)
SELECTED PERFORMANCES:
2010/12/08 Durangoko Azoka, Plateruena, Spain
2010/11/21 Elizondo, Navarra, Spain
2010/11/20 Castejon, Navarra, Spain
2010/11/19 Lekunberri, Navarra, Spain
2010/11/12 Irurtzun, Navarra, Spain
2010/10/31 San Adrian, Navarra, Spain
2010/10/10 Segura, Spain
2010/09/24 Basauri, San Miguel, Spain
2010/09/11 Castro Verde, Alentejo, Portugal
2010/08/29 Berriozar, Nafarroa, Spain
2010/08/26 Laudio, Spain
2010/08/13 Zarautz, Spain
2010/08/11 Azores, Portugal
2010/08/09 Folk Iberico Jaialdia, Huesca, Spain
2010/07/31 Olost, Catalunia, Spain
2010/07/25 Errebote Plaza, Billabona, Spain
2010/07/24 Alfandega da Fe, Tras-Os-Montes, Portugal
2010/07/23 Gatika, Butron, Spain
2010/07/22 Vila Real de Santo Antonio, Algarve, Portugal
2010/07/21 Valls, Tarragona, Spain
2010/07/18 Reguengos de Monsaraz, Portugal
2010/07/02 Ondara, Valencia, Spain
2010/06/29 “Folk Segovia” Jaialdia, Segovia, Spain
2010/06/25 Poborina Folk, Teruel, Spain
2010/05/28 Sodupe, Guenes, Spain
2010/05/22 Manguelo Folk Jaialdia, Orazo, Pontevedra, Spain
2010/05/16 Beasain, Spain
2010/05/14 Donostia, Spain
2010/05/02 Festival Nuits Celtiques, Nesle, France
2010/02/27 Frontoian, Bermeo, Ibilaldi, Spain
2010/02/16 Ermua, Spain
2010/01/02 Doka – Kultura Live, Donostia, Spain
SONGS:
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