Author: macha

Notable rock band “Laime Pilnīga” releases new song together with a music video on “Perseverance”. You can already find the song on all the biggest music streaming platforms.

“The process of creation of the composition “Perseverance” was a wonderful adventure full with contingencies and unexpected turn of events that were carried out with no rush and perfected at the band’s recording studio “Laimes telpa”. We were successful with multiple ideas that we wanted to do for a while now, like, using recorded stories of more than 30 people. This composition is created as a journey with a beginning and an end. Thematically we are continuing the matters that we find interesting or feel affected by. Regarding this song we could say that with perseverance you can go miles, and sometimes even too far.” That’s what the authors of the song Ervīns Ramiņš and Mārcis Vasiļevskis have to say.

On a hot evening in August the music video was created as well which is the work of Ņikita Karpovs. The band has already worked with him before on creating music videos for songs “Divatā”, “Esmu, tu esi es”.

The song is recorded at the band’s studio “Laimes telpa” together with the guitarist of the band Mārcis Vasiļevskis in the role of a sound engineer and at “Siguldas skaņu studija” with the sound engineer Mārcis Kalniņš. The producing and mastering was then done by Krišjānis Geidāns, but the final touches on the record were from Minervai Pappi from “Waudio Mastering” in Finland.

The notable rock band “Laime Pilnīga” was founded in spring of year 2006 in Riga and is known for their energetic and emotionally charged concerts. The sound of the band is concluded of virtuoso guitar play, unique vocals and a strong rhythmic section that altogether create the whirl of roaring rock music and nuanced sensations

BAIBA’s latest single has been made in collaboration with Italian electro / groove music producer Bruno Belissimo. The song “Come Around” is the musician’s first single after the album “Lighter” released in May.

BAIBA (real name – Baiba Dēķena), who lives in Innsbruck, Austria, has released this song thanks to winning the second place in “Upload Sounds” – the Italian competition for young musicians’. The victory gave her the opportunity to collaborate with Bruno Belissimo, a Canadian/Italian electronic music producer.

The collaboration also includes a music video for the single that was filmed in the Italian city of Milan.

The song “Come Around” is a story about various emotions that we experience after a relationship. Both the relief we sometimes get when a difficult relationship is over and the frustration when we realize that we may be adapting too much to the relationship and, for fear of not being loved, have ultimately lost what we really are.

“This is not a sad song. If after the relationship ends the anger is chanelled properly after the end of the relationship, it can give us the ability to accept ourselves for who we really are, ”says BAIBA, “I want this song to empower people, to give this feeling that we all are different and, maybe, sometimes weird and crazy but it’s all OK!”

Currently, BAIBA continues to write new songs, as well as performs regularly in Austria and Italy. The young artist also teaches music production classes. This autumn, the artist had planned to perform in Latvia as well, but these concerts have been canceled for the time being due to the restrictions of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Check out the new song on Spotify

BAIBA is a Latvian musician who currently lives in Innsbruck, Austria. She grew up in a farming family in Tukums region, Pūre parish. At the age of seven, she began attending Kandava Music School, where she studied piano. Later, BAIBA moved to Liepāja, where he studied cultural management and also obtained a master’s degree in writing. During this time, she began to write her own songs and perform at various events.

At the end of 2020, BAIBA won 2nd place in the Italian music competition “Upload Sounds” and got the opportunity to work with renowned representatives of the Italian music industry – producer Bruno Belissimo (previously worked with Italian groups such as “Calcutta” and “Frah Quintale”) and video graphics and video director Claudio Zagarini from Universal Music.

23 year old singer/songwriter from Riga has released the 3rd single of the upcoming debut album ‘PENUMBRA’ and it’s called ‘Get You Off My Mind’.

The author comments on the upcoming album: ‘While I have faced many set-backs in tue making of ‘PENUMBRA’, right now I have the opportunity to work on my music more than ever before, so the album is finally coming together’. ‘Get You Off My Mind’ is about the process of trying to forget a person and accepting that You’ll do anything to get them off Your mind.

Patriks identifies his work with such genres as: R&B/Soul, Indie Pop, Singer/Songwriter, Bedroom Pop, Neo Soul and others.

On Tuesday, October 26th, a new album “Lines and Miniatures” including 10 instrumental compositions by guitarist and music author Rihards Lībietis was released. A music video for the album’s second single “Fracture” was also released, created in collaboration with “Colortime” video artist Arvis Belovs.

“Music in the album is vast, spacious, stylistically united, but with some quite explosive moments. It is a true account of last year’s events and feelings, especially loneliness, uncertainty of future, and melancholy. At the same time we tried to infuse this musical adventure with subtle hints of empowering inspiration and joy of life that can be felt throughout the album,” says Rihards Lībietis.

In the beginning the idea behind the project was to create a guitar solo-album – by using various playing techniques, looping etc, while strictly keeping the focus on one instrument – but as the writing process started, music evolved and it was clear that more sound layers and more instruments should be added. That’s when Toms Kagainis (drums, percussion) joined in, working together on many compositions.

“This definitely is one of the more exciting life experiences I’ve had. Freedom, musical experimentation and possibility to say something in a clean, undiluted and truthful musical language without limits. Owing to the diversity of the compositions, every recording process was unique and challenging. When we ran out of ideas for traditional instrumentation, we recorded even tea bags, knifes, plates and other random objects found in the studio” says Toms Kagainis.

Album also features other collaborations with guest artists such as Erna Daugaviete (cello), Olga Bučinska (violin), Ieva Rūtentāle (flute), Matīss Repsis (piano) and Beāte Zviedre (voice).

The name “Lines and Miniatures” was inspired by the concept of different lines in life – some lines are more obvious, such as roads, electricity wires, sheet music, while some are more abstract like a person’s life road that only reveals itself slowly and gradually. Each composition in itself can be considered a miniature – a short work of art with a story that can be enjoyed and understood in a few minutes. The same concept can be seen in the names of album compositions – “Transcending Parallels”, “Junction”, “Heart Line”, “Miniature on whispers” and others.

Album was recorded in “No Fuss Audio” in Tukums and “AMFO Music” studio in Riga. Its sound, mixing and mastering engineer is Valērijs Černejs, who describes the album as a bright collage of feelings that brings on a journey of deep contemplation every time. “Each composition has a unique emotional color and we put in a lot of producing work to reveal these colors as best as we possibly could.”

Together with the new album a music video for its second single “Fracture” has also been released. Single deals with themes of escaping society, of escaping routine. About how sometimes a fresh look from outside can help to appreciate something in a different light, and many of the perceived problems seem much smaller. Rihards Lībietis and Toms Kagainis participate in this recording.

Video was filmed in the studio of creative community “Colortime”, in collaboration with its video artist Arvis Belovs, who reveals that the filming process was a kind of an initiation for the studio, because it was the first time it was filled with the sound of loud drums and guitars. Projections have a main role in the video – they are a means of expression symbolising free field for thought and to better illustrate the main concept of lines in the album. Lighting in the video was done by Rihards Romušs.

“Lines and Miniatures” is the second original music album by Rihards Libietis, a thematic successor to the musician’s very first album “RL Elektronix” released in 2015. Creative process for the new album was also inspired by music of Thomas Newman, Olafur Arnalds and Tony Anderson. The design of the album is based on photos of Arvīds Baranovs (“Eaglewood Pictures”), that were also a source of inspiration for the music and concept of the new album. Design was created by Šarlote Vojevodska. Album was made with the support of AKKA/LAA Author Scholarship.

Rihards Libietis is a musician and music author, regularly performing with various LV musicians and bands, mainly in “Rihards Libietis Orchestra”. Rihards also composes and performs music for theatre plays and contemporary dance performances, such as “Upe” (2020) in Liepājas Theatre, “Bannija Manro Nāve” (2017) and “Izraidītie” (2014) in Dailes Theatre and others.

“The end is the beginning” – with this motto S M O K E XII (Emīls Jānis Dūmiņš) begins his creative path releasing a new single “Late Night Thoughts”. That is one of the most expressive S M O K E XII’s compositions at the moment, which was made in a professional studio and in the creation also participated Gints Stankevics, a well-known producer in Europe and Latvia.

The single also has a video version of the lyrics, created in collaboration with Lihtorovich. S M O K E XII (a pseudonym derived from the surname Dūmiņš) is typical of the Z generation(Gen Z). As you know, they are recognized as the most iconic of all time, the most flexible, politically motivated, avant-garde and opened generation. That everything also characterizes S M O K E XII. He started music at the age of 10,  learning drums and guitar. Until now, hip-hop culture has been the only one in Latvia marginal current of popular music, so S M O K E XII’s musical taste has developed under the influence of world hip-hop experience and idols, which does not leave indifferent peers either. Quickly mastering music processing technologies, the first compositions are created in the home studio, which are published on the website “Soundcloud”.

The number of plays are currently around 20,000. The author of songs and lyrics for his compositions is himself S M O K E XII. The songs are based on current issues in life and young people’s vision for them, as well as efforts to seek answers to questions that are not always meant to be answered. S M O K E XII tries harshly but truly to express his point of view and explain their attitudes towards global challenges as well as people’s internal, personal and often very intimate issues such as love and the emotions it creates. The artist expresses his opinion about the everyday relationship problems, existential issues, as well as the very topical issues about drug use among young people. Frequently mentioned death in S M O K E XII’s vision is like the end here, the end of our physical bodies, but the continuation in a further, larger event, or path. Currently, S M O K E XII is actively developing his vocal skills at the best Latvian teachers and creatively collaborates with several artists from Latvia, Lithuania and the USA. The most famous artist with which he have collaborated is K!DDXO

On November 8, the digital album of the choral music opus “Overwhelmed on the Shore” by Kristaps Krievkalns and Kārlis Kazāks is made available for the audience on the Spotify and other most popular streaming platforms. In addition, on November 10 the concert film “Overwhelmed on the Shore” is going to be released, including parts of the live performance that took place this summer on Saulkrasti beach along with some artistic intermedia. The film will be broadcasted on LMT smart TV, app LMT Straume, as well as on the webpage straume.lmt.lv.

“This is a contemporary addition to the Latvian choral music tradition, where in one opus consisting of 13 parts, the traditional a cappella singing is combined with some powerful pieces of music with its roots in the popular and world music; it is written for mixed choir, instrumental group and electronics. We spent almost two years working on this album”, tells Laura Leontjeva, the artistic director and conductor of the choir ANIMA.

It is a first-ever original choral music composition created by the composer Kristaps Krievkalns, while writing the lyrics for this choral music opus was, as Kārlis Kazāks admits himself, a completely new experience.

The main musical component of the film is the audio-visual concert “Overwhelmed on the Shore” which had its premiere night on Saulkrasti beach on July 9 this year. It is a journey from a total tranquillity to energetically loaded experience, looking for and finding some answers to the great mysteries of life. Running away from the city lights and finding oneself on the seashore, it leads the listener into a daydream revealing the love in all kind of shades – the ones taking you up to the sky, as well as the deeply transformative ones.

The director of the concert film “Overwhelmed on the Shore” is Valters Mirkšs, who is a Latvian living and working in the United States and was visiting Latvia during the production of the film.

“This film was a great challenge for me demanding switching from making short films and regular films to a new genre – a concert film. I wanted to integrate some elements from the classical filmmaking thus the idea of short, artistic intermedia bringing together all parts of the musical opus”, explains Valters Mirkšs.

The concert film “Overwhelmed on the Shore” will premiere on November 10 on LMT smart TV and app LMT Straume thus leading into the festive week of the national celebrations and adding to the various cultural events provided for the broad audience by LMT.

“Being a Latvian can mean many different things. In this musical opus and the concert film we can witness the new generation of the latvianship – strong, creative and in close relationship with the nature, but at the same time is modern and strongly linked to the technological development and innovations. We believe that this premiere will make the Latvian Independence Day a very special event, unfolding something new to each and everyone. It will also remind us all, that we are wealthier than ever with the new creative ideas and technological possibilities supplementing the centuries of experience”, emphasizes Juris Binde, CEO of LMT.

The concert film “Overwhelmed on the Shore” is a musical piece where music, movement and art all come together. The singers from the mixed choir ANIMA are playing the leading parts along with the actor Gints Grāvelis and dancer Liene Stepena, while actor Andris Keišs is the voice behind the scenes.

The sound directors are Mārtiņš Porters and Armands Treilihs, the lighting artist is Pāvels Armanis. The visual identity of “Overwhelmed on the Shore” is an original artwork by Mareks Gureckis and it is presented in the costumes of the performers, all together creating a living canvas painting. Choreographer Inga Krasovska reveals through the movement the diversity of images and characters. The producer, conductor and artistic director of the “Overwhelmed on the Shore” is Laura Leontjeva.

The project was supported by the Council of Saulkrasti Municipality, SIA “Latvijas Mobilais Telefons” and the State Culture Capital Foundation (VKKF).

The digital album “Overwhelmed on the Shore” was produced with the participation of Saulkrastu mixed choir ANIMA (conductor Matīss Tučs, vocal coach Elīna Ose), Kristaps Krievkalns (keyboards), Kristjāns Krievkalns (electronics), Miķelis Vīte (percussion), Armands Treilihs (bass guitar), Andis Klučnieks (flute and Irish pipes). The artistic director, conductor and producer – Laura Leontjeva, sound director – Kaspars Barbals, studio “Lauska”.

A cappella vocal group “Latvian Voices” delights their listeners with a new video of Imants Kalniņš “Buramdziesmiņa”. The author of the arrangement is Laura Jēkabsone.

Although both the interpretation and message of the song might be translated in various ways, Latvian Voices consider the song to be not only a confession of friendship and faithfulness but also a magical and unreachable notion. At the same time, it can encompass the reality and the elusiveness of our world. The rock will grow forever, but the snails will never run… “Who would have thought that the day will come when a hug will become valuable and almost impossible. We thank Imants Kalniņš and Imants Ziedonis for their work of art that will unequivocally stay topical throughout the ages to come. We can’t belong to each other, but we can coexist in friendship and mutual respect. Simple as that!” says the leader of the group and author of the arrangement Laura Jēkabsone.

The shared vision of “Latvian Voices” for the video was a slow, unhurried, clean, laconic and maximally minimal environment. Even more so enhanced by choice of a ‘black and white’ concept. Essential in creating these feelings were the video artist Kaspars Teilāns and the choreographer of modern dance Katrīna Albuže.

The video of “Buramdziesmiņa” is not only a dedication to Latvian national memorial day and national holidays but also a bearer of peace, compassion and unity.

 

On November 26, the Latvian alternative rock band Cellar Cat released their first EP “Broken Glass” with 6 songs, and their first music video this year.

Coming from an indie rock and britpop background, Cellar Cat have become considerably heavier for the EP. One can hear influences from artists like Foo Fighters, Bring Me The Horizon and Architects. At the same time, the music has not lost the band’s traditional melodiousness.

This is confirmed by the first music video for a song from the EP – “Drag Me Out”. The band wrote the song as a statement of justice, encouraging people to take their lives in their own hands and rely on trustworthy people only. Following a catchy guitar riff, the lyrics tell about a person’s disappointment and anger at the modern world order. The song questions whether the protagonist is the one who failed the world, or it is the rest of the world that failed them. Nothing feels real and honest anymore.

Cellar Cat frontman Alex talks about the EP and music video:

“We are amateur musicians who work at regular day jobs, so we rarely recorded new songs and filmed videos before. Now, being locked up at home during the pandemic, we decided it was time to release something more substantial. We started working on the EP in the beginning of the year, and the work was hampered by restrictions on meetings. We recorded and produced all of the music ourselves, so we often had to make video calls and help each other remotely.

The music video was filmed in August – in the gym of an abandoned factory. What’s interesting is that we had to stop filming at one point, as a tiny bird crawled into the gym through a gap and began smashing against the windows. So we all started running around trying to catch it to let it out from the building. In the end we rescued the bird, so we surely can say that the video was not filmed in vain:)”

On Friday, 3 December, the young musician Patriks Peterson released a new, emotionally saturated song “Can’t Get You Outta My Head”, augmented with a music video. The artist reveals that together with the release of the new single he has fulfilled a long-standing dream.

The song “Can’t Get You Outta My Head” was written by Patriks Peterson himself and produced by Kaspars Ansons.

“For several years now, I have been dreaming of releasing one of the songs for which I have written both the music and the lyrics, and this dream has finally come true,” says Peterson. “The song was actually made at the beginning of this year, in a bright and delightful stage of life. Thus the song is positive – about finding yourself, falling in love, about the joy that the other person brings. I want to pass on these feelings and positive emotions, which I felt while writing the song, to every listener as well,” Patriks reveals.

The music video of the song was directed by Artūrs Streļuks, and the duties of the cinematographer and editor were entrusted to Elvis Lācis. The actress in the clip is Madara Martinkena-Igaune, and the style and make-up was done by Iluta Reinberga.

“Like many things in life, this clip should not be taken literally. Often a time comes in a relationship when one wants to end it, but they don’t know how to tell the other. Often in such moments we break each other and become cold. The feeling of “freedom” comes with the break up. Portrayed is a fictional story with a completely different subtext… This is a story about a young man who, unable to escape from a relationship and in suffering, comes up with the same solution every time – that he has to push it to the end himself,” explains Streļuks, the director of the video.