Author: macha

Eclectic rock band Dani Ryan from Riga have released WORLD – a new single from the upcoming third album.

Without further ado the band hands their newest song to the audience. The animated music video was made by the band’s guitarist and vocalist Daniil Ravinsky. The self-produced record was done by Daniil, Jānis Zariņš (drums) and Angelina Volkova (bass). The song is the first message from the newest album – “Songs of Comfort for Every Day” that will be presented to the wider audience on the 25th of March. The band also plans to do a presentation gig, the date for which will be announced in the social media: @daniryanmusic / daniryan.lv.

The synth-rock project Dani Ryan that was created by Daniil Ravinsky after the release of debut album “Open” (2019) has since turned into an actual rock band. After the experimental second album “Party!” (2020), Daniil Ravinsky (vocals, guitar, keyboards), Jānis Zariņš (bungas) and Angelina Volkova (bass) recorded a concert album called “Performance” that captures the band’s energetic multimedia live shows. “Radio Anna”, “Exciter” and “Meloman” are among the favorite songs of Dani Ryan fans. Thanks to active listeners, “Radio Anna” got into the TOP3 songs of Radio NABA and was often on air. Dani Ryan are keen on doing everything by themselves with a low to none budget. That includes the band’s new material that will be introduced to the audience this spring.

Aivo Oskis releases a music video for “Balti meli,” which is featured on his debut album “Suvenīrs”. The single’s lyric and music writers are Kaspars Ansons, Ilze Fārte, and Aivo Oskis. The song emphasizes the necessity of communication, openness, and respect for one another as well as the thin line between white lies and very hurtful lies.

A new song “Atkārtot vēl” was released by the producer association “YDJ”. The song was made in cooperation with the group “100. debija” member and composer Modris Skaistkalns, but the song was sung by Alice Haijima.

After a break of several years, the group Sudden Lights have released a song in English with the Latvian title “Aijā”. The song fuses the anxiety surrounding us with a soothing lullaby. “Aijā” was written last summer as the group’s response to the events going in the world, so it is a lullaby for ourselves and a raging world.

“Aijā” is among the songs taking part in the Supernova competition, whose winner will be awarded the right to represent Latvia at Eurovision.

“”Aijā” is a lullaby. And, in my opinion, the lullaby is the most beautiful and loving form of music. Witnessing the dark events in the world and people’s lives ruined by evil, we could not remain indifferent. That’s how the song came to be performed in English – it is our attempt to comfort everybody who is hurt by the events going on around us. The title of the song is in our native language – synonymous with the mood of a Latvian folk song – and is a word that’s impossible to translate,” says Sudden Lights soloist Andrejs Reinis Zitmanis, explaining the song’s meaning.

The song is accompanied by a video directed by Tom Harjo. Explaining the idea for the video, he says: “Based on the song’s musical message about anxiety and yearning for peace, visually we addressed the relationship between people and their fears. The fear of fear often turns out to be more frightening than the thing we fear. If we can learn to accept our fears and live with them, then we can realize that their main job is to protect us.”

Well, known Latvian music artist Ieva Kerevica has come out with a brand new music album “Romance”. The album has come to life together with label company Musica Baltica. This is the third solo album from the artist. The first was “Heritage” Vol.1(2020) with Latvian folklore arrangement, followed by the album “Centerwise: (2020) which consists of world music. Latest one is “Romance” (2023), and it’s her own original music album.

Ieva is a wide-profile artist, with an active career in a few Latvian theatres where she works as a vocal teacher with actors, singers, and other professionals.

In 2022 she was taking part in the world music festival “Porta” with her second album “Centerwise”.

The last album “Romance” has come to daylight from being inspired by close people’s stories and from her own life experiences. Love towards pop jazz, soul music, blues, and guitar music has put a beautiful cherry on top to finish this album and bring it to the listeners.
This wouldn’t have happened without the amazing and well-known team from the Latvian Jazz field and instrumental artists.
Madars Kalnins (Piano)
Norberts Skraucis (Contrabass)
Artis Orubs  (Drums)
Janis Kalnins (Guitar)
Atis Zviedris (Vocal Guest Artist)

Reinis Karklins (Sound Designer)
Record Studio ” AlejaRecords”

Pure gratitude goes towards KKF (Latvian Culture Capital Fonds) for support and involvement in this project.

Indie artist Jannsi (Jānis Uplejs) has released a five-song EP titled “For the Underdog”. The songs feature elements of indie rock, pop, and rap.

Jannsi is a 29-year-old graphic designer and pastor of an inclusive church in his daily life, and the EP is a reflection of his experience. “These songs are a reminder that life is full of different experiences, and it is important to find the strength not to get lost in it,” says Jannsi.

The mini-album starts with “(Not Made For) Life Alone”, an energetic indie anthem about a person’s need for others. “For the Underdog” is an encouragement for the marginalized not to be afraid and to resist societal pressure. “Don’t Look Back” is an encouragement to move forward even if others don’t understand it, while “Like You Always Do” is a song about unhappy love that Jannsi wrote back in high school. The mini-album ends with the song “Every Tear Will Dry” – a dedication to a friend who was lost to suicide.

Jannsi considers Twenty One Pilots, Shipsea, Laika Suns, Mike Shinoda, The White Stripes, and Nothing But Thieves to be his most important musical influences. He has previously released three singles and one EP.

The mini-album was recorded by Jannsi himself in his home studio, and the mixing and mastering of the song “Don’t Look Back” was done by Jānis Locs. “For the Underdog” is available on all popular music streaming services.

The young Latvian pop music performer Niklās starts a new month with a new composition. In the song “Laumiņu nakts” he sings about mythical creatures, which, as many believe, can protect us from misfortunes.

Niklāss says: “The new song is about magical summer nights. I wrote it during a retreat in Saulkrasti, sitting by the fire under an illuminated apple tree. Night is my favorite part of the day. You know that feeling when you feel like someone is watching you when you’re outside at night? I truly believe they are fairies. This is the story of the fairies who take care of our joy and quietly watch over us. I felt a lot more that night and that’s why I called it night of fairies. I wish everyone to experience that!”

Niklas started his career as a musician only last spring, releasing his debut single “Seši vēji” (eng. – “Six winds) in cooperation with “MicRec” publishing house. It was followed by the song “Lēti and Naivi” (eng. – “Cheap and Naive”). During this time, the singer has participated in several charity concerts and continues to actively develop his music career.

The video of the new song was made by Kaspars Rudzītis (Dween Productions), and the song was produced in the studio by the experienced Gints Stankevičs.

On February 10, Niklāss will perform with the concert program “Feelings” in the hall of Vārme elementary school. At the concert, you will hear the already mentioned songs, as well as unreleased compositions. There will also be special guests and the artist promises a great atmosphere.

“Night of the Pixies” on streaming platforms.

DJ duo “SKRAPNESHI” (DJ Monsta & DJ PM2THEAM) release their brand new single “Feel That”, featuring Latvian musician, comedian and activist Ralfs Eilands. “Feel That” is a single from the “SKRAPNESHI” upcoming debut album, which will be available this winter.

“This tune is about our inner and external freedom. I think that freedom, especially in the country that we live in – Latvia – is a hot topic. One of the things that we can do is to exercise our freedom within on a daily basis. It is quite symbolic that the featured artist on this tune is Ralfs Eilands – a person who has actively shown his support for Ukraine and also has been awarded the Certificate of Merit by Latvia’s president Egils Levits,” says DJ Monsta.

DJ PM2THEAM adds, “Finding your inner freedom is an adventure! I think that this song represents the journey to your inner freedom. I hope that “Feel That” will inspire our listeners to never give up on their dreams.”

Ralfs Eilands, who also wrote the lyrics of the song, says, “The melody and lyrics came to me in a heart beat. Freedom, in my opinion, is the hottest topic right now. At least in Latvia. It is up to us how we choose to exercise our freedom.”

“SKRAPNESHI” is a group formed by 2 well known Latvian DJ’s and producers – DJ Monsta and DJ PM2THEAM. Their weapon of choice is turntables, with which they express the main idea of “SKRAPNESHI” – freedom and happiness. As fans of old school, they often quote hip hop legends, legendary speeches, movie quotes and more.

“Feel That” is available on all major streaming services.

Artwork by Zahars Ze – zaharsze.com