Gartxot
Folk, singer-songwriter material, acoustic pop with Basque roots
Donostia, Spain
Favourite admira guitar(s):
Gartxot: the Basque singer-songwriter who turns the guitar into a universal language
Gartxot's music is born of honesty, closeness and the wish to tell stories that move people. A Basque singer-songwriter and composer, he has built an artistic identity in which the musical tradition of the Basque Country lives alongside a contemporary sensibility, shaping a repertoire where the guitar is much more than an instrument: it is the starting point of every song.
With a style that moves between folk, singer-songwriter material, acoustic pop and Basque roots, Gartxot has connected with an audience that values songs that speak from authenticity. His compositions stand out for the importance of their melodies, the care given to the lyrics and an intimate delivery that turns every concert into a close experience.
A career marked by authenticity
Throughout his career, Gartxot has developed a personal project that reflects his way of understanding music: without artifice and with the song as the main character. His work combines original compositions with a recognisable sound identity, where Basque culture and present-day music come together naturally.
One of the most representative projects of this stage is “Bizirik Gaude”, an album that stands for the will to keep creating from emotion and truth. In his songs, reflection, nature, human bonds and the passing of time appear as recurring elements, always accompanied by an instrumentation in which the guitar holds an essential place.
The guitar as the origin of every song
In Gartxot's musical world, the guitar is the first channel of expression. Each chord serves to build simple but deep melodies, able to hold lyrics that invite you to listen calmly and to discover new nuances in every performance.
On stage, that connection between voice and guitar creates an intimate atmosphere where emotion takes the place of artifice. It is precisely that honesty in his delivery that has made Gartxot one of the personal voices of Basque singer-songwriter music.
Sharing a passion for music made from authenticity is one of the values that unite Gartxot and admira. For an artist whose creativity is largely born on the guitar, having a balanced, comfortable and expressive instrument is essential in order to turn an idea into a song.
With a career in constant evolution, Gartxot keeps exploring new musical paths without losing the essence that defines his project: writing songs that move people, connect with them and show that the guitar is still one of the most powerful instruments for telling stories.
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Interview
admira: Your songs are born of emotion and closeness. At what point in the creative process does the guitar appear, and what role does it play in shaping a new composition?
Gartxot: When I start from a melodic idea or a vocal phrase, or even from a lyric that is already written, the guitar is always the instrument I lean on to open new paths and build the song. Messing around with the guitar, those melodies often appear too; it depends on the situation. I think the guitar is an essential part of the composing process, because it defines the expressiveness of those melodies and gives you the clues to carry on.
admira: If you could create a guitar that does not yet exist, designed only for you, what would it be like? Would you look for a particularly warm sound, a look inspired by the Basque Country, or some specific technical feature?
Gartxot: Without being an expert, I would say the most important thing is for the guitar to sound warm, close but with strength at the same time, to have sustain and for the notes not to die away quickly. Comfort is essential too, and as for looks, I am fairly simple: I like austere guitars, in the best sense of the word.
admira: At your concerts there is a very direct connection between voice and guitar. What is it about that format that still moves you even after so many stages?
Gartxot: I have always loved to sing, to create melodies and to give a lot of importance to the lyrics, to look after that thoughtful message so that it sinks in, in me and in the listener. I think that singing with just the guitar I reach that more visceral, real way of expressing myself, without much artifice and holding on to that moment. It is a very pleasant, very real feeling, and I think people connect with that. Unlike other projects I have taken part in, I would also say that singing with just the guitar gives the lyrics a very strong emotional force, and I love that, as a listener too.
admira: Your music combines Basque roots with a very present-day sensibility. How do you find the balance between respecting that tradition and continuing to evolve as a composer?
Gartxot: I like to think I am what I listen to. Since I was a child, at home and in the family, music has been present in many forms: singing, listening to records; it has always been a very important part of my life. Our roots, the language, Basque folklore are what we are, a way of feeling and seeing life and the world, and those songs have nourished us from a very early age; they are an immense treasure, with very prolific periods and a legacy that endures and shapes our identity. At the same time, I have always been an insatiable listener, hungry to discover new artists and new ways of expression, and that also affects the writing: being open to the world, seeing how things are felt and done elsewhere.
admira: If in a few years' time someone discovers your music for the first time, what would you like them to feel on hearing the first chords of one of your songs?
Gartxot: That I sing to feel the truth a little closer.
Listen to Gartxot on the admira Spotify playlist:
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