Mikel Erentxun

by Evan C. GutierrezMikel Erentxun lived only his first year of life in the city of his birth, Caracas, Venezuela. By 1966, he and his parents had relocated to San Sebastian, Spain, where Erentxun still lives today. His first forays into musical performance began as early as 1978 in a group named the Hillbilly Cats, which he started with a friend and which became known in their neighborhood of Amara for their rendition of the Carl Perkins classic "Blue Suede Shoes." Erentxun's participation in the live music scene of San Sebastian remained consistent throughout his youth, as he collaborated with different rockabilly groups, playing rhythm guitar and bass. Mikel entered the University of Architecture in 1983, though his musical career would soon take priority. He created the group Duncan Dhu only a year later, in 1984, taking on the role of lead vocalist. Playing in area bars and recording singles during their first year eventually led to the recording of two songs for the Grabaciones Accidentales label, both of which appeared on a compilation CD, La Unica Alternativa. Duncan Dhu soon signed with the independent label, and released their debut record, Por Tierras Escocesas, in 1985. Erentxun recorded with the group throughout the '80s, eventually deciding to go his own way in 1992 with his debut solo record, Naufragios. Though early recordings sounded stylistically very close to his work with Duncan Dhu, toward the late '90s Erentxun began experimenting with electronic sounds and a more processed sound. With seven records to his credit, Erentxun has emerged as a prominent figure in the Spanish rock world.