Euskaraz irakurri: Orbela, birloratzen

the labortan group orbel he has left in the hands of very different artists the eight dark, disturbing and fascinating songs that make up his second album, “Lur hezea” (Usopop Diskak & Medication Time Records, 2022).

The artists Mondkopf (Toulouse) and Drowse (Portland, USA), the British group worriedaboutsatan and also Basque musicians such as the duo Lumi and El_Txef_A (Aitor Etxebarria) are some of those in charge of deconstructing and reinventing these songs.

Precisely, eitb.eus presents for the first time the song reinterpreted by the musician El_Txef_A, “Okerra”, in which the Gernikés accompanies the harmonious voices with playful jazz drums and vaporous textures instead of the suffocating atmosphere and forceful industrial rhythms of the original version.

We have spoken with the group and Aitor Etxebarria.

Aitor, what did you think of the song “Okerra” since you started listening to it to cover it?

Aitor Etxebarria: I was already following Orbel and everything that surrounds the Uso Pop movement with interest, so I was very excited when they contacted me to offer me to adapt one of their songs.

I liked the song “Okerra” a lot, because Orbel mixes ancient voices with contemporary sounds very well.

Aitor Etxebarria. Photo: @etxebarriamusic

When it comes to making a remix, where does the right balance lie from your point of view between respecting the original too much or straying too far from it?

Etxebarria: It had been a while since I did a version, and I’ve once again enjoyed it a lot.

It is very special to have in your hands material that you would never compose; In addition, you always have to be very respectful, knowing that creating original material can require months of work.

I understand my work as a respectful artistic work between my artistic aesthetic and the original material.

Why did you choose El_Txef_A to cover one of your songs and why did he play the song “Okerra”?

Alan Billi (Orbel): We had wanted to collaborate with Aitor for a long time. We had talked to him before, but we didn’t find any opportunity to do so.

That’s why, when we started writing down names for this remix album, we thought it was an unbeatable opportunity. We sent the proposal to all the artists at the same time, so he was the one who chose the song.

But the choice has also depended on the speed when answering the mail, hahaha. Some artists responded to us immediately, so some songs were already taken.

But fate has done well. And it is that, although “Okerra” may be far from the world of El_Txef_A, her great work has turned it into a totally new song.

Orbel. Photo: Fanny Maillard.

How was the process? Have you interfered in his creative process or have you just passed him the tracks of the song?

Billi: We have not given any recommendation or direction to Aitor. Simply, she received all the tracks that make up the song. Therefore, we have left his hands free to do what he wanted. This is how the remix of him has come to us.

We were not afraid of the result, and it was very easy for us to part with the original song, because we know that he is an exceptional musician. For us it has been a very interesting process to get to know our songs in another way. He has created a very special feeling for us and has aroused many feelings. It was very special to press play for the first time!

Source: Eitb

Bruce

Bruce is a talented author and journalist with a passion for entertainment . He currently works as a writer at the 247 News Agency, where he has established himself as a respected voice in the industry.