These Go to 11: interviewing La Fonoteca

This week the guest answering our questionnaire is an hyper-active music promoter/defender with a magnificent poppie taste, kind of an ubiquitous spiritual leader of all things indie in Barcelona. We are referring to Miguel Atienza, also known as "La Fonoteca Barcelona man". These Go to 11!

Miguel Atienza, La Fonoteca Barcelona

Mr. Atienza, man in
music charge

La Fonoteca, born in 2008 as a website, is a platform with the main purpose of promoting and disseminating Spanish music inside & outside our borders. What began as a "Spanish Music-pedia" keep quickly evolved and expanded its activities, organizing concerts and releasing almost music (a set of ten vinyls to date) and an editorial reference. The aim is clear and true: spread the word on emerging bands and vindicate Spanish rich music legacy. Miguel leads the permanent headquarters of LaFonoteca Barcelona, created in 2011, establishing an exciting music dialogue between Madrid and Barcelona. He's the man behind several releases and many gigs in our city, with bands so indispensable as, to name a few, Doble Pletina, El Último Vecino, Las Ruinas, Linda Guilala, Gúdar, Grushenka, Les Sueques, Bananas, Alborotador Gomasio, Prisma en Llamas y Atomizador. Truly a man of music. Here we go!

1. First record that you bought (be honest)

I think it was The Who's 'Live at Leeds', or maybe one of Led Zeppelin. My early years as music buyer mixed 60's and 70's classics with Brit-pop records. I was a real fan of Oasis, for example.

Once, they ruled the world...
and it wasn't that bad

2. First and last concert you have attended (be honest too!)
The first concert I went, I mean paying myself, I believe it was one of Los Piratas. The last one has been Trapece, a group formed by members of the Moving Pictures, they merge pop, jazz, bossa... A really beautiful concert.

Making waves

3. Guilty pleasure (song/band you shouldn’t like but you do, yes, it’s the embarrassing question)

Who hasn't sung out loud Rocío Jurado's 'Como una ola'?...

4. Most precious music item you own (collector mode on)

I'm going to say my copy of 'Snowball' from The Field Mice. It's one of my favourites and is quite hard to find, so I'm excited to have a copy.

5. Favorite lyrics (not yours)

As my English is pretty bad I have always paid more attention to the lyrics of Spanish bands. Some of my favourite composers are Manolo from Astrud, Carlos Berlanga, Fernando Alfaro, Joan Miquel Oliver, Lolo from Hazte Lapón or Carlos from Los Lagos de Hinault, among many others. The last great discovery has been Sagrado Corazón de Jesús. Their lyrics have captivated me.

Tim Gane, the genious
alchemist of sounds & ideas

6. Musician/s you would like to meet (should be alive, for obvious reasons, but you can choose a dead one too)
I would like to meet Dan Treacy, despite he seems to be pretty sick. I wouldn't mind to talk about politics with Tim Gane either.

7. Favorite artwork album (not yours)
I will say the first that has came to my mind. I have always been fascinated by Belle & Sebastian's Tigermilk cover, with that combination between of innocence and sinister.

8. Books or movies? Depending on your answer recommend us one (trick: you can choose both) 
Luckily, in real life I can choose both, but in an hypothetical desert island, where I imagine that there wouldn't be any electricity, I would bring 'A Confederacy of Dunces' by John Kennedy Toole with me.

'Puente Aéreo' of exciting music!

  

9. Release (of yours) you are most proud of
The collection 'Puente Aéreo' where a band from Madrid and another from Barcelona share a 7''. We have published 2 volumes (Hazte Lapón + Gúdar and Univers + Celica XX) and we are really eager to start working in the 3rd one.

10. What’s does it mean indie for you? (yes, the “serious question”)
'Indie' is independent. Do it yourself, don't depend on the others. And if you do it yourself, you don't have to give any explanation to third parties.   

11. Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
I would like to have my own little label and release few but very special in limited runs. I don't see myself organizing so many concerts as I do now, but you never know.

Zillion thanks Miguel!

Spanish Indie 4: suggesting the best national acts

It was a too long impasse, but I'm back with the national indie proposals. Hope you like it!  

Los Últimos Bañistas. Some reviews are easy. Take the homonym debut LP from this young band from Cartagena, Murcia, and click play. First track "Nadia", will grab you. Next one, the brilliant "El Gran Apagón" will blow you out. And then, the hypnotic "El Centro" will do the rest. Insert your own adjectives for the rest of the album, 'cause there's no filler here. Only excellent guitar-driven indie-pop, full of energy, melodies and a rare ability to connect with the listener. Their short story (a demo, a self-released EP and the LP out since June on Ernie Records) only adds merits to this stunning collection of tunes.

Partido. Discovered at Festival Plaça Odissea in April. Went there for Mojave 3, but got haunted by their excellent gig. After checking their web and "The Lost Sessions (1999/2003)" released last year, a compilation of the band's first incarnation, my impression is now confirmed. Tragedy broke that original lineup, but now, refunded with members of La Habitación Roja, Pumuky, Maria Rodés or Xoel López, and leaded by Víctor Partido, they have embraced americana and folk-rock sounds to build their passionate, intense and utterly honest music. Eagerly awaiting for "Leaving It All Behind", their official comeback. 

Sexy Remake. Active since 2008, they come from Barcelona, under the leadership of Said Darbas. After previous lineups, he found stability with a 4-piece-format, adding Charlie and Aitor, from the ashes of the long yearned Stormyclouds. Inventive, surreal lyrics, sung by Said, with a voice that recalls to Ivan Ferreiro and Los Piratas, mixed with Charlie's burning, fearless indie-rock riffs and Aitor and Microciervo's solid rhythm section, they create a refreshing and addictive cocktail. With a self-released EP, "Dolly Depresiva/ Dolly Negativa" and a LP on the works, expectations couldn't be higher. Don't forget their name.