Mikel Laboa
Mikel Laboa | |
---|---|
Died | 1 December 2008 Donostia-San Sebastián, Gipuzkoa, Spain | (aged 74)
Occupation(s) | Singer-songwriter, musician |
Years active | 1958–2006 |
Mikel Laboa Mancisidor (15 June 1934 – 1 December 2008)[1] was one of the Basque Country's most important singer-songwriters.
Considered the patriarch of Basque music, his music has had an influence on younger generations. A testament to this is the tribute album Txerokee, Mikel Laboaren Kantak ("Cherokee: Songs of Mikel Laboa"), published in 1991 by various younger-generation rock and
Biography
Mikel Laboa was born 15 June 1934 in Pasaia, Gipuzkoa.
He spent nearly two years of his childhood in the town of
During his student years he became interested in music, influenced by artists such as Atahualpa Yupanqui and Violeta Parra. Following in their footsteps, Laboa would likewise identify himself as a "political artist." In 1958 he made his debut at the Teatro Gayarre in Pamplona.
During the 1960s he, along with other Basque artists including singer
Laboa's music can be described as a combination of tradition, poetry and experimentalism, in the songwriting style of the 1960s and 1970s, but endowed with a strong personal touch and a unique voice. His work combines old standards reinterpreted in modern style, lyrical poetry from authors such as Bertolt Brecht, and suitable compositions. Deserving special mention are his Lekeitioak, experimental songs based on shouts and onomatopoetic sounds.
Laboa was a creative force for 35 years, continuing well into his old age until his fragile health kept him away from the stage. He would collaborate often with jazz musician
A curious feature of his album titles is the fact that they are numeric. This custom began in 1974 with the release of his two-disc Bat-Hiru (1–3). The album 2, with songs based on the writings of Brecht, had been banned by Francoist censorship. This was followed by the double LP Lau-Bost (4–5) and 6. His Lekeitios comprised albums 7 through 11, although only a compilation of these was released through low-key marketing. These were followed by 12, and Laboa skipped number 13 in homage to the group Ez Dok Amairu, whose name means "There's no 13" in Basque. Afterwards, he released 14, and his live albums 15 and 16. Not including compilations and posthumous editions, his last release was 17 (Xoriek).[3]
His final collaboration was with the Pasaia group Naizroxa, where he contributed to the first and only song on the first disc, "Iqharaturic."
Mikel Laboa died 1 December 2008 at a hospital in Donostia-San Sebastián at the age of 74.[4]
Honors
- 2000: Medalla de Oro of the UPV-EHU[5]
- 2008: Medalla de Oro of the Provincial Council of Gipuzkoa[6]
- 2018: a square in the quarter Antiguo of San Sebastián is named after Laboa[7]
Discography
Throughout his life, Laboa published 17 records. Three more appeared posthumously.[3]
- Azken, 1964
- Mikel Laboa, 1966
- Bertolt Brecht'en lau poema Mikel Laboa'ren abotsean, 1969
- Mikel Laboa, 1969
- Bat-Hiru, 1974
- Lau-bost, 1980
- 6 (Sei), 1985
- Euskal Kanta Berria, 1987
- Lekeitioak, 1988
- 12 (Hamabi), 1989
- 14 (Hamalau), 1994
- Mikel Laboa, 1995
- Zuzenean, 1997
- Gernika-zuzenean 2, 2000
- 60ak+2, 2003
- Xoriek – 17, 2005
- Lekeitioak (2-CD), 2007
- Mikel Laboa (1934-2008) DVD, 2009
- Mikel Laboa "in memoriam", 2008
- Gernika (Lekeitio 4) 1972. Remix, 1937-2012. Bi bertsioren arteko elkarrizketa. Diálogo entre dos versiones. 2012
References
- ^ Muere a los 74 años Mikel Laboa, recuperador de la tradición musical vasca El País, retrieved 2008-12-12 (in Spanish)
- ^ Mikel Laboa: Basque singer central to his culture's revival The Guardian, 9 December 2009, retrieved on 2009-12-09
- ^ a b "Mikel Laboa: Discografía". University of the Basque Country (in Spanish and Basque). Retrieved 3 August 2023.
- ^ "La muerte de Mikel Laboa conmociona al mundo de la cultura de Euskadi". El Correo (in Spanish). 1 December 2008. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
- ^ "Biografía #53". ehu.eus (in Spanish). Retrieved 3 August 2023.
- ^ "Biografía #59". ehu.eus (in Spanish). Retrieved 3 August 2023.
- ^ "El recuerdo de Mikel Laboa se queda junto al frontón del Antiguo". El Diario Vasco (in Spanish). 1 December 2018. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
External links
- Mikel Laboa. Biography, recordings, songs, bibliography, newspaper library and other documents.
- Mikel Laboa Chair, created through a collaboration agreement between the Gipuzkoa Provincial Council
- Mikel Laboa in Auñamendi Encyclopaedia (www.euskomedia.org)
- Interview in www.euskonews.com
- Interview in Berria