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- Mitxoda Weekly #11: St. Nicolas, Indie Tunes, and a Dash of Holiday Chaos
Mitxoda Weekly #11: St. Nicolas, Indie Tunes, and a Dash of Holiday Chaos
The only weekly where St. Nicolas meets “Psychedelic Strut Indie.”
Mitxoda
December 06, 2024
Song of the Week : White Phosphorus by Cloud Blood (released on November 22, 2024).
Hello indie explorers!
December is here, St. Nicolas (In Europe mainly, right?) made his rounds last night, everybody buys gifts to everyone, and apparently, my music is now a genre called Psychedelic Strut Indie 😂 This week, I’m bringing you festive vibes, a bit of chaos, and some truly amazing stories from the indie world.
So grab your speculoos cookies, pour a hot drink, and let’s strut into the holidays together. Because around here, it’s music, magic, and a little madness. Let’s go! 🎄🎶
Au menu, this week:
Table of Contents
Mitxoda News: It’s Xmas Time, Right?
December is here, and it’s time to celebrate! The festive season is in full swing, with cozy vibes, glittering lights, and, of course, Christmas music to keep our spirits high. A ton of incredible Christmas songs have already dropped, and there are more on the way. Yes, I’m joining the party too!
🎉 Mark your calendars: My Christmas song launches this Saturday, December 7! If you’ve visited my Bandcamp page recently, you probably already knew that (didn’t you?). If not, here’s your chance to get into the festive groove!
Special Thanks to Peter Lancelotti
A huge shoutout to Peter Lancelotti, an incredible soul who featured me in his latest monthly newsletter! I’m genuinely flattered and so grateful for the mention. If you haven’t yet discovered Peter’s work, you’re in for a treat. Go follow him and check out his newsletter.
A Vinyl Christmas Gift 🎁
Big news: I just received my first vinyl copy of Distant and Close, and I couldn’t be more excited! It’s a beauty, just imagine this under your Christmas tree this year.
If you’re looking for a special gift for yourself or someone else, you can order it here: https://elasticstage.com/mitxoda/releases/distant-and-close-singleep
Let’s make this holiday season unforgettable with music, connection, and a touch of vinyl magic. Thank you for being part of the journey!
🎄 Deck the Halls (Punk Rock Christmas Cover 2024): Music for a Meaningful Cause 🎄
This year, the punk rock community delivers a heartfelt gift for the holidays: Deck the Halls (Punk Rock Christmas Cover 2024). Spearheaded by BROOMFILLER, this marks their 5th annual Punk Rock Christmas Cover, with 100% of the proceeds going to the Sick Kids Hospital in Toronto (Canada). The funds are being raised in honor of 16-year-old Sarah Hamby, who is courageously battling leukemia for the seventh time.
Sarah’s journey has been nothing short of extraordinary. Diagnosed with leukemia at just three years old, she has faced countless challenges, showing resilience and bravery every step of the way. By purchasing this track, you’re directly supporting the hospital that has been there for Sarah and countless other children battling life-threatening illnesses.
A Collective Effort for Change
This year’s rendition brings together a powerhouse of talent from the punk rock scene. Artists from around the world contributed to make this track possible, including my friends from Kathleen Turner Overdrive (KTO), an incredible Aussie band whose energy and heart are unmatched. Other notable contributors include:
Chris Scarfo
Prior Convictions
Boiler Beach
soLow
viseMènn
Their collective passion and dedication shine in this track, proving once again that music can be a force for good.
Support the Cause
This Christmas, let’s spread joy and make a difference. By supporting this song, you’re contributing to a cause that truly matters. Together, we can help give Sarah and countless others a brighter future.
Long read: Why Bandcamp Friday Still Matters and Why Spotify Wrapped is going nuts
This Friday, December 6, is the last Bandcamp Friday of the year, and it’s not just about supporting your favorite artists, it’s also about rethinking how we value music and its creators.
On Bandcamp Fridays, the platform waives its revenue share, ensuring 100% of your purchases go directly to artists. Since its inception in 2020, over $120 million has gone straight to musicians, making this initiative a lifeline for many in the independent music world. Contrast this with platforms like Spotify, where the numbers often tell a different story:
Spotify pays artists a maximum of $0.003 per stream, meaning you’d need over 300,000 plays to earn $1,000.
80% of its platform has been demonetized, leaving countless artists without proper compensation.
While Bandcamp connects you directly with creators, Spotify’s algorithms and business model increasingly alienate them, with profits supporting ventures far removed from the music scene.
A friend recently posed this question: Should we start focusing more on platforms like Bandcamp? The numbers, and the community-focused ethos, seem to answer for us.
My Journey with Bandcamp Listening Parties 🎉
I first experienced the magic of Bandcamp’s listening parties thanks to Nadine de Macedo, who invited me to join one of her events a few months ago. That experience opened my eyes to how interactive and engaging Bandcamp can be.
Since then, I’ve been part of more amazing listening parties:
Histheory’s premiere of The Walk (which I talked about in a previous Mitxoda Weekly).
Just this week, I had the chance to chat with Electric Blindfold during another lively Bandcamp listening party.
Now, Nadine is back with another exciting event to showcase her latest b-sides album, Nebula. Fans will hear remastered versions of her songs and connect directly with her in a Bandcamp Listening Party at 6 PM CEST (noon EST / 3 AM AEDT) this Friday, December 6. All you need is a Bandcamp fan account!
🛒 Check out her release here: Nebula by Nadine de Macedo.
🎉 Join the Listening Party here: Nebula Listening Party.
The Problem with Spotify Wrapped: A Wake-Up Call for Indie Artists and Fans
Every year, Spotify Wrapped arrives with great fanfare, offering users a colorful summary of their listening habits. For fans, it’s a way to share their music taste. For artists, it’s a chance to celebrate milestones. But this year, Wrapped 2024 has been underwhelming for many.
According to TechCrunch, many users have found their Wrapped results inaccurate, generic, or simply uninspiring. For indie artists, Wrapped reveals something deeper: how the platform continues to fail creators while using them to generate free advertising.
Wrapped vs. Reality for Indie Artists
Spotify’s yearly Wrapped generates massive social media buzz, but who really benefits from it? Every time we, as artists or fans, share Wrapped posts, we contribute to Spotify’s marketing machine for free. Each story, reel, or post drives attention to their platform, while artists receive little in return.
For indie artists like Distance From Zero, Wrapped has been a mixed bag. They recall a time when their stats showed little real impact despite their efforts. This prompted them to reconsider whether Spotify was worth it. Ultimately, they stayed, not for Spotify, but for the connections they forged with fellow indie musicians. I kinda agree with that, but till when?
In their words: "Spotify is not a financially viable model for struggling independents, but what’s priceless is the community we’ve built around our music." This highlights an important truth: Spotify may amplify visibility, but it doesn’t support sustainability.
Is It Time to Move On from Spotify?
This brings us to a key question: Why do we keep supporting a system that doesn’t value the people creating the music we love? Wrapped makes us feel seen, but it hides the fact that Spotify pays artists a fraction of a cent per stream, while turning them into unpaid marketers.
Platforms like Bandcamp, on the other hand, are built for connection. As I’ve shared earlier, Bandcamp lets fans directly support artists with no middleman. Its features, like listening parties, foster real relationships between creators and their audience.
Let’s Debate: What’s the Future of Music Platforms?
For fans: Are we ready to move beyond convenience and actively support artists on platforms that treat them fairly?
For artists: Is Spotify worth the exposure, or should we focus on platforms that truly empower creators?
If we want change, we need to stop doing Spotify’s marketing for free. Sharing Wrapped might feel fun, but what are we really celebrating? It’s time to rethink how we engage with music and the platforms we use, and to build a future where success is measured by connection, not algorithms. You know how love/hate figures…
Spotlight Artist: Justin Ride
Every now and then, an artist creates something quietly, almost under the radar, only to discover its true impact through the people who connect with it. This is the story of Justin Ride and his September release, Hot Box Shuffle.
When Justin released the album, he chose not to promote it heavily, feeling at the time that it might not have the potential to make waves. But life had other plans. One track in particular, Older, has since taken on a life of its own. Listeners have been captivated by its heartfelt honesty and emotional depth, leading to an outpouring of support and praise that has even surprised Justin himself.
Justin is excited to reintroduce it to listeners who may have missed it the first time around.
"The positive reactions have completely taken me by surprise, and it’s been so rewarding to see how deeply people are connecting with the song," he shared recently. This unexpected wave of love for Older has made Justin reconsider how he approaches his music.
If you haven’t yet explored Hot Box Shuffle, (10 tracks, 29 minutes) now is the perfect time to dive in.
Listen to other tracks made by Justin Ride here on Bandcamp!
Mitxoda News: Psychedelic Strut Indie… and logo story
So, according to Spotify, my music falls under the genre of… Psychedelic Strut Indie. Wait, what now?! (LOL, I’m still rolling on the floor!) 🤣
I’ve heard of artists being boxed into some wild genre names before, but this one truly takes the cake. Psychedelic? Sure, I love exploring new sounds and textures. Indie? Absolutely, that’s the heart of what I do. But Strut? Are we walking a runway now?! 😂
To be fair, Spotify’s genre labels can sometimes feel like a game of pin-the-tail-on-the-music-style. While I can’t say I fully understand the logic here, I’ll embrace the absurdity. After all, music is meant to be fun and unexpected, right?
What’s the wildest genre you’ve ever come across on Spotify? Or, better yet, what would YOU call my style of music? Drop me a message, I’d love to hear your suggestions (and maybe steal one or two for future laughs).
For now, I’ll just strut my way through this psychedelic indie journey… wherever it leads! 😎
The Story Behind the Mitxoda Logo
Ever wondered about the origins of the Mitxoda logo? It all started with the question: How do you represent sound? I began sketching, inspired by speakers and the vertical lines of audio waveforms you’d see in recording apps. From there, I added two tiny oblique bars inside the design, creating the subtle “M” for Mitxoda.
The result? A clean, modern logo that represents not just sound, but the essence of Mitxoda: creative, sharp, and rooted in music.
Now that you know the story, can you unsee it? Let me know if you spotted the “M” before reading this!
Historical Fact: Metallica Rocks All Seven Continents
On December 8, 2013, Metallica made history by becoming the first band to perform on all seven continents, a feat that took them to the icy expanse of Antarctica for a concert dubbed Freeze ’em All.
The groundbreaking show was held in a giant dome to shield the small audience of 120 from the unforgiving elements. But here’s the twist: instead of blasting their iconic sound through massive speakers, the audience listened via headphones, a move made to protect Antarctica’s fragile ecosystem from the effects of amplified music.
Metallica’s Antarctic setlist was as epic as their achievement, proving that even in the coldest, most remote corner of the Earth, rock knows no boundaries.
Here it is! A little slice of history shared just for you!
Supporting Timtmmusic: When Hard Work and Integrity Are Wrongfully Questioned
In a frustrating and heartbreaking example of what’s wrong with the music industry, Timtmmusic, a dedicated and talented indie artist, has found himself battling a false accusation by Spotify. His song was gaining traction organically, thriving on Release Radar playlists and reaching new corners of the world. As an independent artist, this kind of success felt like a dream, a well-earned reward for his hard work and authenticity (you should listen to what he produces!!!)
Tim even ran his profile through a bot checker, confirming 0% bot activity, validating his entirely legitimate success, purely algorithm-driven, and powered by genuine listeners. Yet, despite this, Spotify flagged his track, Housefold of Grace, as being boosted by bots and removed it without any meaningful recourse or support. DistroKid, his distributor (and also mine…), has also failed to provide assistance, leaving Tim to fight this battle alone.
Why This Matters
This situation speaks to a larger problem within the music industry, where platforms that claim to support artists rely on flawed systems. When AI and algorithms unjustly penalize honest creators, it undermines the very foundation of artistic integrity. As Tim puts it:
"This is why the music industry needs to change. When authenticity and hard work are questioned like this, it makes you wonder if true success is even possible without manipulation."
How We Can Support Tim
Tim’s resilience and integrity deserve to be celebrated, not questioned. Don’t you think? Let’s rally around him and show our support in every way possible:
Your music deserves to be heard, Tim, and we’ve got your back!
Solving Issues: A Note on Spamming and Real Connections
Sometimes, navigating the indie music world leads to moments of frustration, like when I received a copy-pasted message multiple times from a so-called "distribution team." The message was generic, robotic, and plastered across unrelated discussions. Classic spam.
But instead of ignoring it, I chose to respond thoughtfully. Why? Because indie music thrives on authentic human connection, not mass promotion tactics. I reminded them (and others who might do the same) that building genuine relationships takes time and effort. It’s not about flooding inboxes but about truly understanding the soul of the artist and the music they create.
So here’s the takeaway: let’s value real conversations, collaborations, and mutual respect. Spam might get attention, but connection builds community. And isn’t that what indie music is all about?
Playlist of the Week: 2024 #123playlist - 1st song by Mitxoda
Do you remember your very first song released this year? Probably. But what about all the others? Here’s a playlist with 79 tracks, totaling 5 hours and 14 minutes of pure energy, featuring:
I’m sure I’ve missed some of you, you responded massively to my Facebook shout-out, and I’m so grateful for that! If your track isn’t on the list, send me your link via email, and I’ll make sure to add it! |  |
Quick Indie News
Satan’s Sugar Baby, a very interesting indie artist coming from Mexico, released a 9-track album, full of sounds. It’s soft, it’s quick, it’s blended by an extraordinary universe, filled with deep lyrics - everything in Spanish - it’s a must-listen here: Sálid NO Saldrá
What a great day for Histheory, Eloie & Subtlety! Their latest collab, The Walk, is now out everywhere, and it’s absolutely amazing. These three are always on my wishlist, don’t miss this incredible track, listen to The Walk. I feel so good, now :-)
Brother Dynamite goes on with It’s Christmas Time, Alright! (2024 Version)
Distance From Zero released another brand new track, and it’s siiiiick! Listen now to I Believe In You (and buy it 😉 )
Torture Colombe’s latest track Perdu Son Mohawk hits hard with raw emotion and a fierce punk edge, don’t miss it!
Regifter Drops Tomorrow on December 16! Get ready! Their latest track is a must-listen. Don’t miss the chance to hear it first. Presave Tomorrow here
Let’s show some love and crank up the indie spirit. Tomorrow’s coming fast!
“Goodnight, My Friend(Turn The Lights Out in Sequence)” by the ultra productive Myles O’Flaherty Music will be launched on December 9, presave it now!
To Die in Beauty is also about to propose a fantastic new track! Keep an eye on the beautiful composition made in Germany, it’s mesmerizing…!
Steve from Delphi Ravens came back to me with a very nice song called Final Chance - let me remind The Scorpions in the voice… beautiful one! We still need to wait until February, aaargh!
Quick question for the masses: someone asked how to use Spotify correctly: She has got a personal free account and from that account they created their band’s artist account.
But they don't know what to do to follow me or any other account from their own artist account. If someone could help solving this, that would be great!!
Until Next Week: Let the Music Keep Rolling
What a week it’s been! From festive vibes with Deck the Halls to deep dives into Spotify’s flaws, and even a trip back to Metallica’s icy concert in Antarctica, this newsletter has had it all. We’ve laughed at Psychedelic Strut Indie, celebrated timeless collaborations, and stood by fellow indie artists like Timtmmusic.
As the holiday season kicks into high gear, let’s keep the music alive, the connections strong, and the indie spirit thriving. Don’t forget to presave, share, and stream your favorites, and maybe grab a copy of my vinyl while you’re at it. 😉
Until next week, stay magical, stay musical, and enjoy the ride. 💜🎶
What’s Next for Mitxoda?
Distant and Close, my latest 4-track EP is exclusively available on Bandcamp and on vinyl! Grab it now, there are beautiful gift under the tree!
December 7: “At Xmas Time, I m Always High” Presave Link , my personal Xmas gift… 🎄 - will be aired on OTAT247 and ISSA Radio! So Cool!
December 12: “There Aren’t Alligators in Chicago, Right?”
My Collaboration with Timtmmusic. Presave Link and check Tim’s promo!!
January 8, 2025: “Digital Detox” (Instrumental) Presave Link (this is the 4th unreleased track of my EP Distant and Close)
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. 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,
Love,
Mitxoda
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