euskalkultura.eus

Bilbo, Bizkaia.  The Bizkaian quintet, Kherau, has recently published its second album called Aukhera where the group continues to renovate the Basque tradition by mixing it with other music and styles.  In the album there is a little of everything: classical music (Isiltasun Ituna), Balkan rhythms (Transilv-arin), Italian instruments (Arin in dantza), progressive rock (Orreaga) or metal (Salbatzaile).  But among all of these songs there is one that struck us in particular: Nevada.  

Iker Lope de Bergara, singer and alboka player from Kherau, explained the title to us: “The excuse is that our ancestors had to immigrate to Nevada.  And now, with the current situation, we don’t know if there will be another Basque exodus.”  The group has a close relationship with the Diaspora, not through their families, but through their friends.  “Some members of the group have lived in Nevada.  Alex was also at Jaialdi in Boise dancing with the Andra Mari dance group from Galdakao.  And I used to work on projects on a project with Eusketxe in Buenos Aires. There were eight of us friends in Barakaldo and for a week we taught workshops on akelarres and mythology,” Iker said. 

New verses for the Diaspora 

In Nevada Kherau gives the experience of Basques who had to emigrate to America and work as sheepherders a voice, pub from an original point of view: that of the father singing to his newborn daughter that he had to leave behind, and that he is afraid he won’t recognize her the next time he sees her.  The music is also special, since, according to Iker they tried to create “a jota to western music.  We had wanted to adapt the music to the theme, but it’s not from here nor there, but something in between.” 

To hear the song, go here.  The lyrics are in Basque, English, French and Spanish.  To hear the album go here.  

Finally, for anyone wanting to sing along, we leave you with the karaoke version of the song, done by Txantxangorria with beautiful images of Nevada and Basque herders.