Casapalma – Montañesas (Raso Estudio, 2023)
Gifted Spanish band Casapalma passionately lays claim to the mountain melodies and the vibrant Cantabrian traditions of northern Spain in their debut album, Montañesas. This uplifting song set not only pushes the boundaries of Spanish traditional music but also sheds light on the often-overlooked Cantabrian folk and mountain tunes in the media.
Within the folk music of Spain, Cantabria holds a treasure trove, possessing rich dance and song genres like jotas, picayos, tunes, marches, and romances. Casapalma brilliantly weaves local highland traditions with modern elements and bridges the gap with the folk heritage of other parts of northern Spain. Certainly, Casapalma taps into vivacious tambourines echoing the sounds of Galicia and Asturias.
Immersing themselves in the enchanting world of mountain songs, Yoel Molina and Irene Atienza, from the Cantabrian town of Cabuérniga, delve into the roots of Atienza, also known as Casapalma, named after Irene’s family home.
The duo meticulously examined old tapes and embraced the oral traditions that continue to score the backdrop of regional festivities. Notably, Casapalma revitalizes, reinterprets, and amplifies the imagery of highland folklore. The result? A fusion that not only pays homage to its roots but also ventures into realms more commonly associated with alternative pop, experimental electronics, or the slow beats of reggaeton.
The material on Montañesas includes the following traditional songs: “Callejuca callejuca,” “Asómate a la ventana,” “Las avellanas,” “Amores de largo tiempo,” “Aunque tú no me quieras,” “Trepeletré,” “Con el agua de limón,” “Con el rocío de la mañana,” “Tienes unos ojos niña,” “Morenuca,” and”Ermitaño.
Of all the Spanish new folk artists, Casapalma stands as one of the finest. In essence, Montañesas emerges as an ingenious celebration of the past, a vibrant reinterpretation of tradition, seamlessly mixing the old and the new. Without question, this music merits your attention.
Musicians: Irene Atienza on vocals; Yoel Molina on guitar and keyboards; Esteban Bolado on rabel; Conchi García on pandereta; Rodrigo Ballesteros on drums; Aurelio Velez on pandereta; David Lopez on gaita and ocarina; and Nacho Soto on keyboards and effects.
Buy Montañesas.
Author: Iliana Cabrera
