Aitor Etxebarria (also known as El_Txef_A) has put music to the documentary “Gernika.Markak”, by Hannot Mintegia, that tells the story of the 1937 bombing of the city by the German air force during the Spanish civil war. The album, composed with acoustic instruments and a written score, is due for release this April on Kompakt, coinciding with the 80th anniversary of the attack. Two months later Etxebarria will premiere it live at Sónar by Day, accompanied on stage by seven musicians and essential images from the documentary. Among a number of topics, the documentary tells us of how young people from the area have returned to the past, transforming a former weapons factory into a space for artistic creation. Aitor, born in Gernika, is one such person; a grandson of one of the survivors, and this is therefore his most personal project to date.

Although Extebarria’s interest in organic sounds and classical composition is nothing new, taking on the soundtrack “Gernika.Markak” was a major challenge and a radical shift in direction. In fact, the Basque producer began as a drummer, but was soon drawn to electronic music and the art of mixing, of which he is consummate master. Ten years ago he started the project El_Txef_A, releasing several EPs and two albums comprised of narrative and engaging house, “Slow Dancing In A Burning Room” (2011) and “We Walked Home Together” (2014). Under his El_Txef moniker he played at one of the first SonarCar stages at Sónar by Night; He now returns to the festival abandoning his alias and using his real name, to bring a totally different project that has opened up a new expressive pathway in his career.

soundcloud.com/el_txef_a