We had a nice plan for Saturday evening waiting for Uhagon: on the one hand, Felix Buffen Rüdiger alter-ego performed for the second time in this room (the previous one was three years ago) and for the first time in the other Moxal, that is, we were able to enjoy the Hannot Seminar’s solo project, this time supported by Miren Narbaiza. These two interesting proposals had something in common: used electronic gadgets and their intelligent use. Otherwise, there is no doubt, we want to make it clear that everyone has their own style and types of composition.
Hannot Mintegia was part of the Audience group in Gernika for many years. In 2019 he launched his solo project: Moxal. From the beginning, he showed the will to develop his own path, showing a unique attitude to work on the path of experimentation. He has already published three full-length albums, the last one last year (“wound”, Forbideen Colors). Some electronic devices, instruments and pedals on stage. Also a battery Miren Narbaizawhich he used (in addition to several other devices). We immediately noticed the first notes of the song “Kaidxolan”, the progressive atmosphere (we are talking about gradual development, not progressive rock) and the mysterious words that he repeats like a mantra.
In truth, this completely anti-commercial proposition has the potential to capture the listener almost instantly. Many types of sound that we could not have imagined on stage not many years ago are completely viable today, but there is a risk of getting lost in them, if there is one. Hannot puts all these devices at the service of the song, or perhaps at the service of the atmosphere. This gives meaning and value to the set of songs. “Pozau ezin” is also from the last album, which perfectly reveals the path his work is taking. Soon he is already on the way to having thirty of his own songs, which has widened his options when it comes to choosing his repertoire. If he recorded this song in the studio with Anari, this time Miren filled that gap.
“Gure telenobelie”, the piece from his first album, was presented as an old song, even though it was recorded in 2019. This, like the others, required a high level of concentration. Interpreting its dark and exciting atmosphere has its own difficulty. The audience listened to the songs with respect, probably with more than mere curiosity. “Azalgorri” is more animated, we could almost consider it an invitation to dance. The change was good for the set list.
“Danak onak” is another slow song with surreal lyrics: perfect as the soundtrack of an intrigue movie, but also worth listening to in concert. As Miren Narbaiza has added to his experience in acoustic-electric projects everything he has learned from various projects in recent years, he convincingly handles the voice, pedals, atabalas and dozens of other instruments. We have a more conventional song from the new work “Gukguregugu”, so to speak, at least at the beginning. The last farewell was a version of Nick Cave’s classic “Into my arms”. He used “in my arms” repeatedly. Even make a sensitive version, moving and especially suitable to end the performance. The performance lasted a total of three quarters of an hour. The crowd greeted the couple with a nice thunderous applause. No doubt, sooner or later Moxal will play here again.
After a wait of more than half an hour he boarded Rüdiger, this time also in quintet format. How things are: after all the tickets were sold out three years ago in a double format (Felix Buff and Joseba Irazoki), few people came to this concert with all the participants (breaking latest news here). We don’t understand very well. One reason may be that they played in May 2021, but it is difficult for us to give further explanations. That’s right, the attendees thoroughly enjoyed themselves. For many of them, it was also the first time with Rüdiger and they left the concert in awe.
Felix Buff, among his eleven projects, has created a brand with its own identity. Rüdiger is his first surname, and naturally precedes Buff. Thanks to the pandemic, he developed and gave shape to the new concept at home. He left the curtains and, holding the guitar, suddenly became a frontman and a singer. That first album had excellent reviews, and after presenting it live, he began other works, the most important of which was his permanent group, Willis Drummond. He has also given a few concerts as Rüdiger, but Willis’ stoppage has given him the opportunity to dive headfirst into his project, even though it is true that he started recording some of the songs on the album after 2021.
In this second work, the influence of the Beatles and psychedelia is (still) greater, but above all it is more complete, more shameless and, in terms of sound and composition, greater. Felix has also mentioned Gastr del Sol and Aphex Twin as his influences. Others have also mentioned Robert Wyatt or Kevin Ayers. Psychedelia and electronica are the basic components of his two albums, and considerably more in the second one. They gave a nice start with the song “Once I was away”. The piece from the new album, he played a total of seven “The Dancing King” from the work called We missed Iban Urizar’s cornet at the end of this song and at other times. Also, Iban (better known as Amorante) was in the audience, but unfortunately he didn’t go on stage. We will have this concert again six days later in Iban Urizar Uhagon, in the “Bar Gloria” project, together with the bertsolists Uxue Alberdi, Miren Amuriza and Nerea Ibarzabal.
“Memories” was next. The precision of Mikel Sanchez’s drums is particularly important here, although they also use other percussion systems. In this sense, Felix himself pressed the buttons of a fret, creating a truly effective effect. The surprise of the song comes in the fourth minute when Vincent Bestaven “Botibol” leaves his keyboard and picks up the electric guitar. The last part of the song is rounded off by a great crescendo. Although “Breathe” is also from the new album, he has been playing this song live for a few years, without going far, he also played it right here in 2021. The song is one of the best in his repertoire: expansive, evocative and deeply atmospheric.
We’ve talked about electronics before, and if we had to mention all the gadgets on stage, we’d never finish. However, we have a lively quintet that plays without guile and uses those extra elements in a rational way. Because they use keyboards, pedals and electronic devices at the service of the song. Felix knows how to move the microphone in his hand even without a guitar, and it is possible that these talents, even if they are still modest, will be part of another path in the future.
“Before it’s vanished” they played only three of the album, although it may be surprising. The first, “Did you ask for this”, delicate and, we must say again, expansive and full of Beatles magic. “Where I belong”, although it is more recent, is its consistent successor, and perhaps it can bring to mind the magical melodies of The Kinks. All these references are somehow attempts to make the reader understand the direction of these songs, since Rüdiger has his own personality and more modern elements. We have one of the gems of the new work “The receiver”, which with its seven minutes is Rüdiger’s longest song. One of the songs where the programming takes importance, it’s like a cosmic journey. Synthesizers, piano notes, underground rhythms… Singing that lives in the realm of instrumental parts, among others.
“The Dancing King”, the song that gives its name to the new album, enters the world of programs, although once again we have to give a lot of credit to Mikel Sanchez’s precise drumming. Vincent Bestav’s “Botibol” is not the only one that gets along well with keyboards, Antoine Philippe, in addition to playing the bass, also uses his gadgets. The second jump to the first album in a row: “You’re making everything (feel like a fail)” is laid-back, almost slow, with a strong presence of synthesizers and Beatle choruses. “Downtown” has not been published on the two albums so far, but they have been playing live since at least 2023. Joseba Irazoki knows how to keep his place well, because Felix is the star of this project, but in this song and a couple of others, he brings out the fire on the guitar, including some memorable solos. Really impressive.
“Spot on” we have another piece that progressively reveals its virtues. Its development comes after a basic rhythm and some melodic slurs, although it is one of those that does not completely explode. We can find the Beatles/Kinks legacy in the melodic patterns of the vocals, but we must add Joseba’s guitar distortion to the equation. “Help yourself” is also a song they’ve been playing since last year, and although we think it’s a version, we still don’t know whose original it is. Finally, it was time for the “Medication” song. If we pay attention to Spotify, it is Rüdiger’s most successful song. It is also one of the oldest, if not the oldest. In our opinion, it is an indicator of certain virtues that he later developed even better: the importance of atmospheres, the value of choruses, the power of guitars and keyboards and the dominance of melodies.
Finally, they played the already classic “How low she goes”, which they have been playing live since at least 2021, although it does not appear on the albums. Perfect for ending the concert, calm and meditative, he wore the final farewell with a special sensitivity. Felix Buff recorded the songs between 2021 and 2023 with his brother Johanes Buff, the producer. The importance of Johannes is absolute in Rüdiger’s career, and without him this project probably wouldn’t have been the way it was. Felix continues to mark Rüdiger’s path with firm steps, and if we add his charisma to the quality, we can expect promising results in the future. This new tour has a lot to say about it, but above all we have to emphasize that Felix is working on his role change and frontman role in an increasingly comfortable way. It also plays well with the guitar. We wish him success, as this would ensure that he is able to maintain this format of five musicians.