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- Mitxoda Weekly #10: Anonymity, Heaven and Hell, and my Instrumental Journey
Mitxoda Weekly #10: Anonymity, Heaven and Hell, and my Instrumental Journey
Dive into the secrets of anonymity, celebrate a legendary album, and discover new releases and collaborations!
Mitxoda
November 29, 2024
Song of the Week : Les Fleurs by Minnie Riperton (released on November 1, 1970).
Hello indie explorers!
This week, we delve into the fascinating concept of anonymity, highlight a masterpiece album, and share exciting updates on my musical journey.
Anonymity in music and art offers unique freedom, enabling artists to create without external biases or expectations. It shields creators, allowing their work to speak louder than their names. But where does it thrive, and when does it falter? Dive into this thought-provoking exploration. Let’s get started!
Au menu, this week:
Table of Contents
Mitxoda News: Launching "Time Drift" and the Distant and Close EP
I’m thrilled to announce my third instrumental track, Time Drift, will be launching next Monday, December 2nd! 🎉
These three tracks, including Time Drift, will form part of my upcoming 4-track instrumental EP, Distant and Close, set to release in January.
✨ The final piece, Digital Detox, will be a surprise, marking the end of this instrumental journey.
Stay tuned for more details, and thank you for your incredible support so far!
Mitxoda - Distant and Close - 2025
Long read: Why Anonymity Matters – A Personal Reflection
In today’s music industry, it seems like the louder you shout, the more likely you are to be heard. Artists are encouraged to be everywhere, on stage, on social media, in interviews, and even in their private lives. Yet, I’ve always believed that music is about more than the person behind it. For me, anonymity isn’t about hiding; it’s about preserving something sacred. It’s about creating a space where the music comes first.
This isn’t a new idea, and I’m certainly not the first to take this approach. Daft Punk might be the most famous example of artists who let their music and their mystique speak louder than their faces ever could. But they’re not alone. Artists like Sia, who covered her face with wigs to shift the focus to her voice, or Gorillaz, who built an entire virtual band to represent their music, show that anonymity can be a powerful tool for storytelling. Even Kiss, with their iconic mask, used mystery to create characters and mythology that enriched their rock music.
Why I Chose Anonymity
For me, remaining anonymous isn’t just a strategy, it’s a way to protect what matters most. Music has always been my refuge, a way to express what I can’t say in words. I want listeners to connect with the feelings, the stories, and the sounds, not especially with the person I am outside of those moments.
Anonymity gives me the freedom to explore, to take risks, and to embrace a diversity of styles. It lets me be flexible, to focus on what’s right for the music rather than what’s expected of me as an individual. And it gives you, the listener, the freedom to interpret my work without preconceived notions.
This is why I am able to create progressive music one day, pop rock chansons the other, and some instrumental in between…
Examples of Anonymity’s Power
Beyond Daft Punk, countless artists have embraced anonymity or transformed their personas to craft something larger than life. Deadmau5, for instance, turned his identity into a symbol with the iconic mouse head, creating an instantly recognizable character while keeping his personal life in the background. Similarly, Banksy, though not a musician, leverages anonymity in art to shift the focus entirely onto his work, sparking thought and conversation without the distraction of a public persona.
In live performance, the use of masks, makeup, and theatrical identities has been a game-changer for decades. Peter Gabriel’s era with Genesis and David Bowie’s ever-evolving personas exemplify this. From Ziggy Stardust to the Thin White Duke, Bowie didn’t just play music, he created entire worlds, letting surreal visuals and bold experimentation take the spotlight. These artists built heroes and anti-heroes that captured imaginations, making their performances unforgettable.
What lingers in our memories is the journeys they invited us on, the costumes, the music, the stories, and the artistry of their bands. Their creations become timeless, inviting us to first feel the music and visuals and, only later, explore the identities behind them. It’s a powerful reminder that sometimes, the art is best served when the artist steps aside.
These artists teach us something important: the less you give away, the more space you leave for others to imagine, connect, and create their own meaning.
Scarcity and the Magic of Moments
There’s another side to anonymity: the idea of rarity. When Daft Punk released an album or played a live set, it felt like an event. That sense of anticipation, of not knowing when or if they’d return, added a layer of excitement to everything they did. I’m drawn to this idea, not because I want to make music rare for the sake of it, but because I want each release to feel special.
Artists like Enya, who avoids performing live, have shown that less visibility doesn’t mean less impact. It can mean the opposite. When you hear her music, it feels timeless, unburdened by the constant churn of the industry.
The Challenge of Anonymity
Of course, there’s a challenge in being anonymous, especially in a world where the music industry is built on visibility. As an independent artist, I often wonder if choosing this path makes things harder, how do you build a connection when people don’t know your face? How do you reach new listeners when they’re bombarded by artists sharing every detail of their lives?
The answer, I think, lies in the music itself. By creating songs that resonate deeply, by telling stories that are personal but universal, and by building a universe around the work, I hope to foster connections that go beyond surface-level recognition. I agree, it is hard, not easy, and sometimes I feel desperate doing it like this. But I do need to test this, this is my personal challenge. A bit like this weekly newsletter 😄
What’s Next for Mitxoda?
Anonymity doesn’t mean I want to be distant, it just means I want the connection to be about the music or art, more generally. I want to create something lasting, something that feels rare and special, like a shared secret between us. I don’t know where this path will take me, but I’m excited to continue exploring it with you.
Maybe one day Mitxoda will have a world of its own, a universe where each release is a piece of a larger puzzle. Maybe I’ll stay small, creating for the joy of it and for those of you who have found me. Either way, I’m grateful for the journey.
Thank you for listening, not just to the songs, but to the stories they carry
Highlighted Album: Heaven and Hell by Joe Jackson & Friends
Joe Jackson's Heaven and Hell isn't just an album, it's an audacious concept brought to life. Released in 1997, this record takes listeners on a journey through the seven deadly sins, using an eclectic blend of rock, jazz, classical, and theatrical influences. Each track embodies one of these universal themes, exploring their nuances and contradictions with stunning musical interpretations.
What makes Heaven and Hell extraordinary is, next to Jackson’s bold ambition, the incredible lineup of artists who joined him on this journey. Each sin comes alive through collaborations with a diverse array of talents, blending their unique voices and styles into this thematic masterpiece.
Here are some of the standout contributions - yes, look at this, just amazing!!! :
Suzanne Vega lends her hauntingly beautiful voice to "Angel", the track representing envy. Her delicate, introspective style captures the quiet ache of yearning for what others have.
Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg and her beautiful solo violin.
Dawn Upshaw, a celebrated opera singer, graces the track "Tuzla", embodying the purity and celestial tones associated with pride. Her classical background adds an ethereal quality to the album.
Brad Roberts, lead singer of Crash Test Dummies, brings his deep, resonant voice to "Passacaglia", illustrating the sinister allure of greed.
Jane Siberry, known for her experimental and ethereal music, contributes to "Fugue", representing sloth. Her voice weaves through the composition like a gentle breeze, evoking both lethargy and reflection.
Joy Askew, a regular collaborator with Jackson, is a versatile force throughout the album, offering backing vocals and instrumental support to bridge the thematic pieces.
The album's brilliance lies in its daring fusion of genres and emotions, which feels both timeless and utterly modern. From soaring orchestral arrangements to intimate piano solos, Jackson showcases his ability to tell compelling stories through music. Each track stands as a vignette, but together they form a tapestry of human nature, flawed, vibrant, and achingly relatable.
Why It's a Must-Listen
Heaven and Hell is the most underrated masterpiece I know. I love it since the beginning, when I heard it first on the radio. Released on Sony Music Classic, you won’t find it on Spotify… This musical work is a philosophical exploration of morality and desire. Joe Jackson challenges listeners to confront their own understanding of these sins, presenting them not as black-and-white evils but as complex, deeply human experiences.
Whether you’re drawn to the delicate interplay of voices and instruments, the bold conceptual approach, or the incredible artistry of its contributors, Heaven and Hell is an unforgettable experience that rewards every listen with new layers of meaning.
Why it matters to me
Listening to Heaven & Hell is an unforgettable experience, every sound is designed to surprise you. At times, it’s unsettling; at others, beautifully dissonant. Yet, somehow, it all comes together seamlessly, creating a masterpiece of contrasts.
For me, this album has been a significant source of inspiration. Throughout the creative process for my EP Prognosis, Heaven & Hell was always at the back of my mind, guiding my own exploration of sound and storytelling. Now you know the connection!
🎧 Give it a spin here on YouTube I got the CD at that time, since then, I cannot find the studio album anywhere… I wish this live version on YouTube will help you understand my whole meaning here - enjoy ! And let me know: which “sin” resonates most with you, or do you identify with the virtues behind them instead?
Historical Fact: Edison’s Phonograph Debut
On November 29, 1877, Thomas Edison demonstrated his revolutionary hand-cranked phonograph for the very first time. The debut took place at the offices of Scientific American in the United States, marking the beginning of a series of demonstrations that would captivate audiences worldwide.
The phonograph, patented on February 19, 1878, was a groundbreaking invention that paved the way for the era of audio recording. For its time, it was an astonishing leap forward, allowing sound to be recorded and played back, something previously thought impossible.
Edison’s invention set the stage for the modern audio technologies we rely on today. The phonograph’s introduction remains one of the defining moments in the history of recorded sound.
Here it is! A little slice of history shared just for you!
Collaboration Spotlight: Doryphore’s La Fraude
I’m excited to share my latest collaboration with Belgian artist Doryphore, also known as Caroline Dorian, the incredible voice behind La Chute on my EP Prognosis. Her second single, La Fraude, is a powerful follow-up to her debut, and I had the pleasure of being part of its creation, I helped her arranging the music, adding bass, extra guitars, and keys and layering in backing vocals to enrich the sound
It’s been a joy to work alongside Doryphore and witness her artistry evolve. If you haven’t yet discovered her first release called “Evidemment”, make sure to check it out. La Fraude is a testament to her talent, and I can’t wait for you to experience it!
💡 And don’t forget my exciting project with Timtmmusic, out on December 12!! Stay tuned for updates!
Playlist of the Week: On The Air Tonight Show by OTAT247
This week’s featured playlist: On The Air Tonight Show aired on Nov 21, 24
I think you won’t miss their next show again, every Thursday’s evening! |  |
Quick Indie News
Timtmmusic’s Bootleg Version Album – Limited Edition!
Timtmmusic’s latest release is here! The Bootleg Version Album features exclusive tracks, including two special collaborations: one with me, Mitxoda, and another with Mornaran.
Only 25 copies are available, making this a true collector’s gem for indie music lovers. 🎧 Grab your copy now before it’s gone!
Fading Away (A Lament) from The Stellar Anderson Project has reached 1k streams on Spotify, huge and well deserved!
ME & THE LION’s new single Coming Home tackles the important topic of mental health, watch the video, listen, share, and remember: you are not alone!
Chris from Electric Blindfold Needs You!
Know any music review sites? Or want to review his next album? Reach out and help him out, in reply of this email!
Until Next Week: New Tracks, Festive Vibes, and Creative Journeys
This week has been a whirlwind of creativity and inspiration! We announced the upcoming release of Time Drift, the third installment in my instrumental series, and reflected on the brilliance of Joe Jackson's Heaven and Hell. We also delved into the transformative power of anonymity and celebrated Edison's groundbreaking phonograph debut.
Looking ahead, mark your calendars for these key dates:
December 2: Launch of Time Drift, part of the forthcoming EP Distant and Close.
December 7: Get into the holiday spirit with It’s Xmas Time, I’m Always High, a playful track for the festive season.
December 12: An exciting collaboration with Timtmmusic, stay tuned for more details.
Thank you for being part of this journey. Let me know what resonated with you this week and what you’re most excited about in the coming days.
Until next week, stay inspired and keep the music alive!
What’s Next for Mitxoda?
December 7: “At Xmas Time, I m Always High” Presave Link , my personal Xmas gift… 🎄
January 8, 2025: “Digital Detox” (Instrumental) Presave Link
To Be Released early 2025: “La Fraude” by Doryphore, “Undressed”, and many others…
Stay tuned, awesome things are coming!
Get Involved: Your Feedback Matters!
What did you think of this week’s edition? Your thoughts mean the world to me. Hit reply and share your ideas, music, or even just a quick hello!on defending indie artists, and we’ll feature the most compelling thoughts.
Let’s Keep the Music Flowing
A heartfelt thanks to you all for continuing this journey with me. Your feedback and support fuel my creativity. Special shoutout to those who’ve streamed Desertland and Darkness! Together, we’re building something beautiful. 💜
In a world dominated by names and numbers, the indie scene reminds us of the power of art itself. Whether known or unknown, your music, your voice, and your story matter. Keep creating, keep sharing, and stay true to what inspires you.
See you next week,
Stay Safe,
Stay Yourself,
Mitxoda
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