The list of artists nominated for the 2026 MIN Awards has now been announced. Among them, five Basque music artists will compete for the Best Album in Basque award.
Merina Gris wins award for Best Album in Basque at the MIN Awards
2026/03/26
Euskara. Kultura. Mundura.
Merina Gris’s ‘Zuloa’ won the MIN Independent Music Award for Best Album in Basque on 25 March in Córdoba. Also competing in this category were EZEZEZ with ‘Kabakriba’, Mirua with ‘Miruenea’, Olaia Inziarte with ‘Zerrautsa’ and Ruper Ordorika with ‘Lurra ikutu barik’.
Merina Gris, a San Sebastián band formed in 2020 by Sara, Julen, and Paskal, released the ten-track album ‘Zuloa’ on Sonido Muchacho in 2025. The electronic-punk album blends genres and emotions, exploring the concept of ‘zuloa’ (hole or hiding place) from different angles and crafting a soundscape that reflects contemporary anxiety. In 2022, the band released the LP ‘Zerua orain’, and since then has collaborated with several other Basque artists.
In addition to the award for Best Album in Basque, Merina Gris was also nominated for Best Emerging Artist and Best Pop Album.
Izaro and Oreka TX win Best Music Production
A total of eight Basque artists were nominated for MIN awards. Among them was Izaro, who, alongside the duo Oreka TX, won the SAE Madrid award for Best Music Production for ‘Xorieri’. Both Izaro and Oreka TX were also nominated for Best Electronic Recording for ‘Xorieri’.
Gorka Urbizu was also in the running in the Best Music Production category for the release of ‘BAKAN (II)’.
MIN Awards
The MIN Awards, run by Spain’s independent music companies group Unión Fonográfica Independiente (UFI) since 2009, are celebrating the 18th edition this year. The MINs recognise the creativity, diversity and artistic quality of independent productions made in Spain. The awards aim to shine a spotlight on the talent and work coming from small and medium-sized record labels and to promote independent music both nationally and internationally.
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