Author: macha

To kick off the New Year, musician and songwriter Markus Riva surprised his fans by releasing a brand-new song and music video in English titled “Lose Control.” This single, a collaborative effort with partners in Ukraine, encourages everyone to let loose on the dance floor. Markus’s wish for his listeners this year is simple: live life like a dance, savoring each moment without worrying about how it appears to an onlooker.

“I’m aiming for the first song of the year in Latvia,” Markus Riva chuckles. “But on a serious note, the start of the year is when we traditionally set various goals and make resolutions. I decided actions speak louder than resolutions! So, I wrapped up the song recording and quickly organized the video shoot to kick off the year with some musical freshness.”

The music video, directed by Pavel Trebukhins, was filmed in Nīgrande, Latvia. Markus himself serves as the video producer and, as always, fearlessly injects irony at his own expense.

“The song tackles breaking out of one’s comfort zone, challenging societal stereotypes and norms, embracing personal freedom, and is dedicated to all those who feel misunderstood, restricted, or oppressed. The video incorporates various symbols open to interpretation by each viewer,” explains Markus.

Markus Riva, recognized in Latvia for his musical endeavors beyond the country’s borders, doesn’t shy away from revealing that this year will be no different. He hopes for success with the song beyond Latvia, hence the decision to release it in English. Yet, this is just a fraction of his plans for the year. Markus is also working on his inaugural album in Ukrainian, continues to craft material in Latvian, and, as he puts it, musical horizons can never be too broad. Therefore, 2024 promises to be an exceptionally productive year in his creative journey.

Representatives of the Latvian music industry have traveled to “Eurosonic Noorderslag” – one of the leading festivals and conferences in the industry, taking place in Groningen, Netherlands, from January 17 to 20. This year, Latvia at the festival will be represented by only one music project – the new artist Might Delete Later. This project is created using a unique concept: making music from voice messages. Since its inception at an art gallery in Amsterdam, Might Delete Later has gained recognition both online and offline.

The performance of Might Delete Later will take place on Thursday, January 18, at “MAAS Front” club at 22:10.

“Eurosonic Noorderslag” or ESNS, founded in 1986, is one of the most important events in the European music industry, playing a significant role in the growth of artists’ careers. ESNS traditionally offers a platform for introducing new European music projects throughout Europe and beyond. The festival includes both a live music showcase and a wide range of conferences and panel discussions, which are an essential part of the festival.

Music Latvia has been part of the ESNS initiative ESNS Exchange since last year. ESNS Exchange promotes live performance opportunities for European music groups and artists at festivals outside their home countries and provides extensive media attention to these artists in collaboration with the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), music export offices, and local media.

Cimuška-Rekke says: “Music Latvia’s participation in the ESNS Exchange program opens wider doors for the Latvian music industry. It provides our artists and industry professionals with invaluable experience and visibility in the European music market. This program is a platform where we can not only showcase the diversity of Latvian music but also promote international cooperation by exchanging ideas and experiences. I am convinced that our participation in this initiative will open new opportunities and enhance our artists’ international recognition.”

Within the framework of the ESNS Exchange program, Music Latvia has also ensured that two young participants in the Latvian music industry, Emīlija Paula Andersone (M/Darbnīca) and Kristiāna Paegle (Netīrās Cilpas), can attend and participate in “Eurosonic Noorderslag” free of charge.

As delegates, the conference from Latvia is attended by Agnese Cimuška-Rekke (Music Latvia), Guna Zučika (Every Little Thing/Carnival Youth), Kristīne Kleina (Every Little Thing/Carnival Youth), Bruno Roze (I Love You records), Anastasija Konkina (Creative Europe), Timurs Tomsons (Lielais Dzintars), and Ģirts Majors (Positivus Festival). Majors, Zučika, and Kleina are also invited to participate in the ESNS conference discussion panels. Music Latvia Executive Director Cimuška-Rekke will participate in the European music export associations’ general meeting and, for the first time, in the ESNS Exchange program and activities.

Very Cool People continue to approach their most explosive album to date with the release of their third single, Plastmasmens (Plastic Man), which is both a powerful party hit and a thought-provoking song about ecological issues.

The new song is dedicated to an inevitable current issue – plastic, which has taken over both people’s minds and the surrounding environment without realizing it. Plastmasmens is kept in the latest traditions of Very Cool People’s sound – in the mood of soul and bass system shattering electro-funk with the easily perceptible presence of Latvian party folk song tradition.

The band emphasizes that the main thing is not to become plastic yourself and to follow your heart, not to measure all activities only by the yardstick of stylishness and popular brands. “Trends will change, but everyone will just have to live on with the choices they have made”, the band’s leader, guitarist Elvijs Grafcovs, conducts anti-plastic training. “The same applies to shopping, so with Plastmasmens we offer to think whether the feeling of human happiness is really found in expensive things – smartphones, tablets, handbags, sneakers, clothes and leased cars? Maybe it’s better to spend the rest of the money on a trip or other self-education, not letting Plastic Man always win”.

The new single is also a hint in the direction of modern art and music, because free creativity is often replaced by the pursuit of quick popularity and profit, borrowing already tested ideas from what is currently in fashion, which in the long term will most likely fade away and soon even be replaced by the perfectly mediocre production of artificial intelligence. “Artists have to create new emotions, only then at least several thousand of the eight billion listeners in the world will be able to really connect with it”, sums up Elvijs.

A video was also made for the new single, in which several directors visually expressed an ironic view of what is happening around us – pollution, plastic in food, excessive passion for nutritional supplements, pieces of plastic in human relationships, when people sit at the table with gadgets in their hands or do not take their eyes off the TV screen… The visual stories included in the new video were created by Rimants Iržikevičs, Valdis Krūmiņš, Arvis Belovs, Oskars Ozoliņš and Madara Dzintara Pluša.

The authors of the song are Elvijs Graftsovs, Jānis Kalve, Māris Jēkabsons and Laura Rozenberga. The rhythmic narrator, vocalist and trombonist Laura Rozenberga, vocalist Paula Saija, guitarist Elvijs Grafcovs, tenor saxophonist Māris Jēkabsons, baritone saxophonist Kristaps Lubovs, trumpeter Oskars Ozoliņš, keyboardist Māris Vitkus, bassist Jānis Olekšs and drummer Andris Buiķis, as well as synthesizer player Andris Kauliņš participated in the recording.

So far, two more harbingers of the new album have been released – the summery naughty single Rikšiem (In Trot) and the autumnal criminal-philosophical Ko tu vēl gaidi? (What Are You Waiting For?). The new single Plastmasmens can already be heard on the most popular music streaming services.

On International Women’s Day, March 8, singer Samanta Tīna presents a video, made in Morocco, on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean, for the single “Spēka dziesma” from the album “Vēstule Tev”. “In this very difficult time, I want to highlight this song of Power right now and remind you that the basis of everything is faith in yourself and a higher power that guides us, protects us and reminds us that we are never alone! The song of strength encourages me to believe in myself and let go of life’s most difficult situations, accepting them as life lessons,” says Samanta. Also she informs that she will continue her way to her listeners this year in the “Vēstule Tev” acoustic concert tour, which she started at the end of 2023 with completely sold-out concerts.

The singers Normunds Rutulis and Evija Sloka have come together in a duet with a new song “Kāds ir gadalaiks”.

The single’s spring-like positive mood is felt already in the first notes – an energy-charging song that will make you not only smile, but also think about the fact that everything is still ahead, and everything that happens flows and changes, ultimately leading to the best possible result. The single is also special because it was partly recorded in Latvia, and partly in America, where Evija lives.

After several months spent in Malta, Latvian DJ and producer [Ex] da Bass, who’s also well known in foreign countries, releases a cover version of the ’90s club hit “Hardcore Vibes” by the German electronic dance music group Dune. The new version was created with the participation of two young dance music producers from Malta – Seguna and Panza.

“I simply can’t imagine a better way to end this year! This is my fifth musical release this year, furthermore it’s also a new and powerful song that I see potentially being played by the world’s top DJs in their sets at the big clubs and festivals. This song is a cover of a Dune hit that I’ve always associated with the beginning of my DJ career. Thanks to my newfound Maltese friends – Seguna and Panza, who helped me bring this idea for a new version to fruition. I see the right attitude, as well as great passion and potential in both of these guys,” explains [Ex] da Bass.

“I will definitely return to Malta, and it looks like it will happen in April. During more than two months I spent there, I met many great people from the entertainment industry, with whom I want to continue working. Will there be another song coming up? Very possible. I want to try my hand at the Afro house genre, which is currently so popular in the world,” adds [Ex] da Bass.

“We started working on music production quite recently. Of course, we still have a lot to learn, but we’re ready for it. Many thanks to our Latvian friend for this unique offer and the opportunity to be a part of the “Hardcore Vibes” project, it means a lot to us! [Ex] da Bass is a very pleasant person and a great professional in his field,” says Seguna and Panza.