Mitxoda Weekly #35: Myths, Mayhem & Drumsticks on Fire

In partnership with

Song of the Week : Say Hello From The Driveway by Trenchfoot (release date: Feb 01, 2025)  

Hello Dear Friend!

Welcome to Mitxoda Weekly #35! it’s great to have you with us!

What do Bigfoot, Münster, and a missing Christmas song have in common? This week’s Mitxoda Weekly, of course.
We’ve got Ali and the Hilljack Stompers stomping through Appalachia, the birth of INDIEpendence DAY, and part 3 of our ongoing battle with invisible algorithms.
Plus, a heartfelt thanks to Sonophagen for their live version of our collab “No Rescue.”

🌍 World Premiere Alert: “Harmony” by Melancholic Thoughts will be heard for the very first time this Friday at 4PM (CET) on Le Salon Indie de Mitxoda, don’t miss it.

And don’t forget to scroll or open this mail in a browser all the way down please!

Let’s dive in, shall we?

Enjoy the read!

Mitxoda

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Get ready, indie souls! To Die In Beauty is gathering the community for the first-ever INDIEpendence DAY, a real-life hangout for artists of all genres to meet, share stories, and spark new connections. It’s happening on September 6, 2025, in Münster, Germany (exact spot revealed closer to the date). Travel, hotel, and food are up to you, but the vibe? That’s on us. 🌈 More details coming soon, save the date and join the indie family offline!

Long Play: Ali and the Hilljack Stompers, Loud, Soulful, and Unapologetically Theatrical

From the wooded corners of Mount Airy, Maryland to the folklore-laced heart of Appalachia, Ali and the Hilljack Stompers are crafting wild, full-bodied sonic stories. Their sound? Hard to label. Easy to feel. Somewhere between rockabilly and punk, stoner fuzz and blues, with a deep streak of soul and a taste for the theatrical.

Let’s be clear: this is not chill background music. It’s music with a pulse, meant to rattle your spine or crack a grin, depending on the track.

From Charcuterie to Chaos

Ask them to describe their style and you won’t get a genre, you’ll get a charcuterie board. Raw punk cuts like “Burn”. Playful swing in “Swing 135 Am”. Soulful innuendo in “Downtown”. Their album Made in Exile is the kind of record you listen to with wine in one hand and a wild memory coming back in the other.

It even kicks off with the sound of a roller coaster, because that’s what you’re in for: loops, dives, and sudden emotional plunges. And now, there’s a fresh twist in the ride…

Enter Chelsea Cederbaum

In news as bold as their basslines, the band just welcomed Chelsea Cederbaum on drums. A powerhouse with groove, fire, and feel, Chelsea is blasting it wide open. Described by the band as bringing a fresh spark to the AHJS sound, her arrival marks a thrilling new chapter.

Expect live shows that hit harder, and recordings with an even deeper heartbeat. Chelsea isn’t an add-on, she’s ignition fuel.

Music That Feels Before It Speaks

For AHJS, the music comes first. Lyrics don’t get forced, they emerge from the feeling. So it’s no surprise that their songs explore the emotional spectrum: heartbreak, lust, rage, confusion, joy. It’s all in there, never polished for mass appeal, always delivered raw and real.

When asked what they enjoy most between writing, recording, or performing, they can’t choose. But playing live? That’s the shared heartbeat. A room full of people, a stomp that rises from the floorboards, a moment that only exists once. That’s what they live for.

Honest Influence and Legendary Listeners

Their sound is NOT borrowed, it’s summoned. Broadway? Maybe. Elvis? Probably. A haunted puppet show narrated by a drunk preacher? Also possible 😂 . But none of it is intentional. It just leaks out of their bones, rides the feedback, and kicks open the saloon doors of your frontal lobe.

Now picture this: a midnight show deep in the holler. No stage, just a circle of headlights and a fried amp on its last leg. The fog rolls in. The first snare crack hits.

Bigfoot lumbers in from the tree line, holding a mason jar and shaking his shaggy hips like he’s waited a century for “Cheddar” to drop. Mothman lands on a busted pickup, wings twitching in time, glowing eyes fixed on Ali like she’s conjuring spells instead of lyrics. The banjo screams. Someone’s roasting a hot dog on a flaming drumstick.

No tickets. No streaming. Just sweat, stomp, and the sense that even the monsters came out because this band doesn’t fake it.

And when the final chord fades into the moss, even the shadows applaud.

Ali and the Hilljack Stompers dig their own groove through the dirt. With Chelsea now on the kit, the journey just got even wilder.

👉 Listen to "Made in Exile"
👉 Follow the band on Facebook and Instagram

Ready to discover your next favorite song? The new releases are just a scroll away.

SABOTAGE — Part 3 of 6: Appeal, Escalate, Persist

My holiday single “At Xmas Time I’m Always High” vanished with no warning. I filed three polite tickets, then silence. If your music is removed from a digital platform without warning, here’s a clear, factual process to follow:

1. Open a Support Ticket Immediately: Contact your distributor or platform’s support team as soon as possible. Even an automated reply creates a time-stamped record, which can be useful for future reference.
   

2. Provide Evidence: Attach relevant evidence such as playlist links, screenshots showing performance spikes, country lists, or follower history. Supplying clear documentation helps support staff investigate your case more efficiently.
   

3. Wait for a Response, Then Escalate if Needed: If you do not receive a response within a reasonable timeframe (e.g., 3–5 business days), escalate your request. You can do this by following up via official channels or, if available, through public-facing social media accounts. Brands often pay attention to public threads.

4. Refer to the EU Digital Services Act (DSA) if Applicable: Under the EU Digital Services Act (effective February 17, 2024), users have the right to be informed about content removal decisions and to access a mechanism to contest such decisions. Platforms must provide a process to appeal content removals. If you are based in the EU, cite these rights in your communication.
   

5. Remain Factual and Professional: Keep your communication clear and focused on the facts. Provide data and documentation rather than emotional arguments.

6. Consider Legal Options as a Last Resort: If your distributor or platform does not respond or resolve the issue, you may mention your intention to seek legal advice or pursue further action, such as small claims court, if appropriate under your contract and local law. Often, a formal notice can prompt a response.

The EU Digital Services Act establishes clear rights for users regarding content moderation and appeals, but details such as specific costs for mediation or national implementations may vary. I suggest you check with local authorities or legal counsel.

And of course, always check the latest official guidelines from your distributor, platform, and relevant regulatory bodies.

Next week: Part 4 dives into alliances and lawsuits, because sometimes the loudest single email is a class action with your name on it.

Until Next Week: Next Friday, Same Fire

Whether you're crafting spells in a garage or booking trains to Münster, don’t forget what brought us here: truth in sound, and the joy of making noise together.

Stay loud. Stay weird. Stay indie.

With love and fuzz,
🖤 Mitxoda

END 😆