Mitxoda Weekly #7: New Releases, Indie Wins & Opera House History!

Song of the Week : Robot Girl by Kathleen Turner Overdrive (released on June 2, 2023).

Hello Dear Friend!

Welcome to another edition of Mitxoda Weekly! This week is packed with new releases, some fantastic indie milestones, and a look back at an incredible moment in music history. We’re celebrating not just my latest projects but also the strength of our indie community—and we’re diving into some deep themes around the challenges we face as independent artists. Grab a cup of coffee or plug in your headphones, and let’s explore this week’s journey together.

Au menu, this week:

Table of Contents

• Mitxoda News: Upcoming Release and New Collab!

• Poll: What should the next Mitxoda release explore …

• Long Read: The Sword of Damocles in Indie Music

• Video Premiere: The Walk by Histheory

• Playlist of the Week: Official JZ Music - Gen X In …

• Quick Indie News

• Mitxoda’s Numbers: Just for Fun

• Until Next Week: Counting Down to New Releases

• Let’s Keep the Music Flowing

Mitxoda News: Upcoming Release and New Collab!

Upcoming Release: Darkness
My next instrumental, Darkness, is set to release on November 22. (There are loads of new tracks dropping that day - see below- —things are heating up for the indie scene!) This piece is all about facing challenging times head-on. It captures a darker period in my life but with a sense of resilience woven throughout, inviting listeners to find understanding and maybe even a little comfort in the shadows. I can’t wait to share it with you!

Upcoming Collab: There Aren't Alligators in Chicago, Right? (feat. Mitxoda)

I’m thrilled to announce my latest collaboration with Timtmmusic on There Aren't Alligators in Chicago, Right?. This track dives into themes of temptation and inner struggle, set against an intense rock backdrop that’s sure to energize you. Tim was inspired by Avenged Sevenfold’s breakdowns, blended with anthemic choruses reminiscent of Fall Out Boy and Blink 182.

With raw vocals (mine 😆 ) and heavy breakdowns, it’s perfect for anyone looking for an energetic release—whether you’re working out, driving, or just unleashing your inner rock star. Join us In December for a crazy journey! And in the meantime, go check Tim’s fantastic sounds here!!

Poll: What should the next Mitxoda release explore?

• Melancholy & Loss

• Resilience & Uplift

• Experimental Sounds

• Only Instrumental

Thanks to everyone who participated in last week's poll! The results show that most respondents (50%) are interested in exploring instrument choice and creative experimentation, followed by songwriting and lyric inspiration, while mixing and mastering techniques garnered even less interest, with no votes for sound design or DIY setups.

Long Read: The Sword of Damocles in Indie Music

In the indie music scene, our creativity and hard work often feel overshadowed by a constant threat—one that hangs like a Sword of Damocles over our heads. Platforms like Spotify and Facebook have brought unparalleled reach, but they’ve also introduced automatic judgments that can erase entire musical catalogs with a single, unexplained click. These automated decisions are meant to detect “suspicious activity,” but more often than not, they catch innocent artists in their sweeping nets.

Consider Michael Gabriel Music, who nearly lost his album Surfacing after it was abruptly pulled offline. Though he managed to get it reinstated, the ordeal probably took countless hours, endless emails, and an emotional toll—a relentless struggle just to keep his music available to fans. He’s not alone. Artists like Andy Carr Music and Dashing Skull Club are also grappling with similar issues, feeling the heavy hand of these digital platforms with little recourse.

This isn’t just an isolated problem; it’s systemic.

Automated systems make blanket judgments based on algorithms rather than understanding the nuance of what’s truly happening. What’s worse, as indie artists, we’re left to fend for ourselves in a system that favors mainstream acts. We ask ourselves: would mega-stars like Rihanna ever face such takedowns? Highly unlikely. These artists sit comfortably on the platforms, enjoying the benefits of massive marketing budgets and secure contracts, while indie creators often find themselves at the mercy of invisible algorithms and opaque policies.

Take Taylor Swift’s story as an example. Frustrated by losing control over her master recordings, Swift chose an unprecedented path, re-recording her entire catalog to reclaim her rights under her own terms. Today, her re-releases proudly bear the label “Taylor’s Version.” But the difference? She had the resources to turn the tables. For most indie artists, re-recording our work just isn’t financially viable.

So, we’re left asking ourselves: How can we protect our music, our art, our very livelihoods?

Possible Paths Forward

Create an Indie Label: Could a collective label, managed by and for indie artists, provide the autonomy and protection we need?

Launch an Independent Streaming Platform: Imagine a platform dedicated to indie artists, with clear policies, transparency, and no risk of random takedowns. It’s ambitious but could solve many of the issues we face.

Establish Our Own Radio or Music Festival: By creating spaces that celebrate indie voices exclusively, we could build audiences on our own terms.

Of course, each of these options presents its own challenges. Creating a new platform, label, or festival demands resources, time, and a constant balance between creative work and operational logistics. But is it a price we’re willing to pay to safeguard our art?

The stakes are high, and the journey isn’t easy, but these conversations are the first step. Let’s turn this frustration into action. What are your thoughts? How do you think indie artists can protect their work in a landscape dominated by algorithms and corporate interests?

Share Your Ideas: Reply to this email or join the conversation on my social media channels. Together, we can forge new paths for indie artists and make our voices heard.

Video Premiere: The Walk by Histheory

I am so excited to share that Histheory will premiere his new music video for The Walk this Saturday, November 9th, at 10 PM CET / 4 PM Eastern Time. It’s a visual journey that complements the track’s depth, and I’m honored to have been part of it alongside an incredible lineup of contributors.

This video is all about embracing what drives us forward—encouraging us to tackle those dreams we keep putting off, to focus on life’s small joys, and to cherish the little things that make us truly happy.

Through a mix of uplifting moments, personal reflections, and even a few humorous touches (because what’s life without laughter?), Histheory has crafted a visual story that resonates deeply with the song’s message.

Don’t forget to subscribe to his YouTube channel and turn on notifications so you’ll be there for the live experience. Check out the premiere here!

Histheory extends his gratitude to everyone who contributed to this project, including friends, family, and other great artists like:

• A Beautiful Scar, Carol Sings, Cintalegospelmusic, Debra LaMotta, Drew Nold, Eloie, Ghost of Rucker, Have I Weather, Hollow Words, Lost Cause Industry, Mechanic A, Nick Lang UK, Plains Desperate Symphony, RedPrint, Risiride, Sacred Zone, SÆ, Shannon Darcy, Steam Slicer, Taylor D, The Major Resolve, The Sanctity Of Crows, To Die In Beauty, Water Rise Music…

Playlist of the Week: Official JZ Music - Gen X Indie’s Best Radio (October 2024) by JZ

Quick Indie News

• Today brings a truly special release: One Beautiful Moment by Embracing Discomfort, featuring [Sæ] and Drew Nold. This track is pure magic, and I’m thrilled to share the full-length version with you—don’t miss this captivating journey! Listen here on Bandcamp.

• Ares Redemption introduced their single The Letter on August 13, 2023. This track showcases their rock essence. And From Darkness To Light, their new debut EP will be released on November 22! TBH, I can’t wait!!!!

• Black Marine: Collaborated with Storm Kingdom to release a heavy-hitting track on October 30, the product of months of hard work alongside Justin. Fans of metal and hardcore—this one’s for you! Listen to Nyx here!

• Gregory Kodric: Just released Doing That Funky Thing, now remixed by Me & Melancholy. Gregory’s current project explores themes of loss after death, demonstrating his versatility as an artist who can move from funky beats to introspective ballads. Catch his new sounds and let him know what you think! By the way, take a look at his Weekly Big Top 10, too!

• Mornaran and Mechanic A have recently collaborated on a new track, blending their unique styles to create a compelling musical experience. This partnership showcases the synergy between Mornaran's innovative soundscapes and Mechanic A's distinctive rhythms. Haunting Me will be available on November 22 on major streaming platforms, offering listeners a fresh addition to their playlists.

• About last week “In Memory of Paul Bindrup”
  Last week, we shared news of Paul Bindrup’s passing, but I’m relieved to confirm it was a hoax—Paul is alive and well! This kind of misinformation is in very poor taste and incredibly upsetting. And sorry again, Paul, for the wrong message.

Mitxoda’s Numbers: Just for Fun

Alright, I’ll admit—numbers aren’t usually my thing. But every now and then, they’re worth a mention, right? So here’s a peek at where we’re at as of today:

• Facebook Milestone: We’ve just hit 1,500 followers! Thank you for being part of this journey.

• Spotify Followers: Over 800 of you are now following on Spotify, making each release feel that much more connected.

• Newsletter Readers: This Weekly is now reaching about 60 readers so far. Glad to have each of you here as part of the indie family!

And, of course, some stream counts for the music itself:

• Desertland: Out just a week and already over 100 streams. Not bad for its first week!

• Sourire au Chaos: Released on September 30, it’s now sitting proudly over 3,000 streams.

• No Rescue: Since October 18, it’s been streamed 1,500 times thanks to you.

• Seconde Vie: Out since August 7 and still going strong with nearly 2,900 streams!

Honestly, I wish I could see these kinds of numbers on my Bandcamp! Thank you to each and every one of you who’s made these milestones happen. Who knows? Maybe we’ll be celebrating even more next week!

Until Next Week: Counting Down to New Releases

As we look forward to the coming week, I’m excited to share more music and connect with each of you in this vibrant indie community. With Darkness set to release on November 22 and my collab with Tim, There Aren't Alligators in Chicago, Right?, just around the corner, there’s a lot to look forward to. Not to mention, November 22 is shaping up to be a big day for indie music, with tons of new tracks hitting the scene—things are definitely heating up!

In the meantime, keep the conversations going. Vote in the poll, share your thoughts on The Sword of Damocles discussion, and let me know what themes you’d like to see explored in future releases. Every piece of feedback and every story you share makes this journey richer.

Thank you for being here, for streaming, for following, and for supporting indie artists like myself and so many others featured in this Weekly. Let’s keep building this together.

Stay creative, stay curious, and as always, keep the indie spirit alive.

What’s Next for Mitxoda?

Lots of exciting releases are coming up! Mark your calendars for these dates and presave now: 

• November 22: “Darkness” (Instrumental) Presave Link

• December 12: New Collab coming with TimTMMusic.

• A possible Xmas gift… 🎄 

• Another Collab is currently in progress with someone very special to me!

• And next year, another new collab will become reality too!

Stay tuned—things are about to get very interesting!

Get Involved: Your Feedback Matters!

Mitxoda Weekly thrives on your input. Here are some ways to get more involved:

• Feature Request: Is there a song, artist, or theme you’d love to see in the Weekly? Send it in!

• Your Indie Stories: Share your experiences with the indie scene—funny stories, struggles, or inspirations. Let’s showcase them in an upcoming edition.

• Debate Corner: What would you do if your songs were suddenly removed from platforms? Respond with your ideas on defending indie artists, and we’ll feature the most compelling thoughts.

Let’s Keep the Music Flowing

Thank you for being a part of the Mitxoda journey. Remember, this newsletter is for you, our indie community. Every idea, every shout-out, every track we feature—it's all inspired by you. Let’s keep the indie spirit alive together!

See you next week,

Stay Safe,
Stay Yourself,
Mitxoda