Rediscovering Gatibu at Jaialdi was a great experience, but Lisa, Rose, and I were also blown away by a band I’d never heard of before: Neomak. Opening for Gatibu in the Idaho Central Arena, Neomak both had a more traditional sound than Gatibu – trikitixa, tambourines, and drums – but pushed that sound in new and innovative ways. The steady drum beat instilled an energy that was only rivaled by the women dancing and singing on stage. Another band I would highly recommend.
- Neomak was formed in 2020. Their name, translating from the Greek to new moon, represents their goals of transforming tradition, of keeping their roots but making something new.
- Originally comprised of seven young women, Neomak got their start touring with renowned Basque musician Kepa Junkera. After the touring stopped, they realized they had more to say, more to do, and so they started Neomak. In 2025, three of the members of the group left with the remaining four continuing to find new ways to interpret Basque music and stories. Those four are Alaitz Escudero Unanue, Leire Etxezarreta Learreta, Irati Gutierrez Artetxe, and Garazi Otaegi Lasarte.
- In 2022, after releasing only two songs, Neomak toured the Basque Country before releasing their first self-titled album later that year. In 2024, they composed and released a song, “Hor Daude,” in support of Herri Urrats, a festival that promotes the ikastolas of Iparralde.
- As they discuss in this interview, their songs give voice to their grandmothers, to the women who haven’t had a voice. “We begin by talking about the stories told by our grandmothers and saying that we will be the voice they often haven’t been able to have. We continue with a critique of the repression of our grandmothers, the church, some traditional ideas, etc. We shift gears by talking about the taboo surrounding sex and end with a vindication and critique of today’s society with the song “XXI.mendekua,” which has a double meaning: the 21st Century and the 21st Revenge. It’s a song that champions support among women and empowerment.”
A full list of all of Buber’s Basque Facts of the Week can be found in the Archive.
Primary sources: Neomak, Wikipedia
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Eskerrik asko for this, I did not know this group either. Just came back from Euskadi, fabulous trip and a good encouragement to continue learning the language. Agur.
Awesome! Glad you had a great trip! And good luck with your Euskara journey!
Greetings,
Gatibu sent powerful hidden messages that can be seen in the video. The gal shaking her bare buns in front of the apple and the candle. The apple, in biblical terms, represent the act of disobedience and attainment of knowledge. The tree if knowledge is to know the difference between good and evil. Not to obey the law means separation from God. The tree of life represents unity with God. When Eve ate the apple and offered it to Adam, they entered the world of knowledge. and learned about the birds and the bees.
Turning to religion is a trick politicians have use to control the people. Franco did as well as Sabino Arana. Arana founded the Basque nationalism to turn later to some sort of Christian democracy. It is jumping from the frying pan to the stove.
The flag Arana designed is a Christian symbol. The X cross is the cross of Saint Andrew the Apostol. Saint Andre felt unworthy to be crucified on the same cross as Christ. The red represent the Basque people– the blood they are willing to shed. The green is for the oak tree of Biscayne, where the laws for the people were decided and the white represents the law of God.
When hell breaks loose, I won’t be around. In the meanwhile, let’s dance under the mushroom cloud.
Monique
Greetings,
The church repressed women–from the day Eve had to audacity to take a bite of the apple!! As for Adam–too bad–he should have kept his pants on.
Good for Neomack!! Monique