Belako

Belako, a quartet from Spain’s Basque region, first presented their post-punk textures through concerts staged across the country before issuing three full-length albums during the 2010s. Garnering several honors that included Rolling Stone’s Revelation Artist title, the ensemble grew steadily stronger throughout the decade by playing on stages worldwide and building a committed audience abroad.

Formed in May 2011 by the brother-and-sister team of Josu Billelabeitia, who contributes guitar, keys, bass, and vocals, and Lore Billelabeitia on bass, keys, and vocals, the group takes its name from their native town of Mungia. Completing the original lineup with Cris Lizarraga on vocals and keyboard plus Ibon Urizar on vocals and drums, the musicians sharpened their craft through local performances and issued two demo recordings. After Ibon departed, Lander Zalakain joined to assume the drumming duties.

The quartet’s earliest major opportunity arrived when they claimed first place in the EITB Gaztea-organized Maketa Lehiaketa competition, which brought them an immediate regional following and a debut slot at Bilbao’s BBK Festival. Their first album, Eurie, appeared soon afterward. Incorporating punk and new wave influences, the high-energy 2013 release fused these styles into a cohesive statement and earned opening slots with artists such as Elvis Costello and Crystal Fighters.

Following an extensive run of Spanish venue and festival dates, the band self-released two EPs in early 2014, Bele Beltzak Baino Ez and AAAA!!!!, that explored electronic and lo-fi directions more fully. Before another series of wide-ranging tours in 2014 and 2015, they received the Revelation Artist Award from Rolling Stone. Their second album, Hamen, emerged in January 2016 after being written and recorded amid the demanding travel schedule; the project integrated further electronic elements while intensifying the raw, forceful sound. A tour of more than one hundred shows supported the release, taking the group to Mexico, Germany, and England among other territories.

Additional touring that reached Asia, North America, and Europe preceded the arrival of the third album, Render Me Numb, Trivial Violence. Their most diverse collection to that point, the 2018 LP combined the band’s wide-ranging influences into a striking post-punk synthesis.