Music Latvia Participates in Eurosonic Noorderslag Festival; “Sudden Lights” to perform on January 16

Music Latvia is participating in the Eurosonic Noorderslag (ESNS) festival and conference, taking place in the Netherlands from January 15 to 18, 2025.

Founded in 1986, Eurosonic Noorderslag (ESNS) is considered one of the most significant music industry events in Europe, greatly contributing to the career development of artists. ESNS traditionally serves as a platform to showcase new European music projects, both within Europe and beyond. The festival combines live music showcase events with an extensive conference and panel discussion program, which is an integral part of its offerings.

Since 2023, Music Latvia has been involved in the ESNS initiative ESNS Exchange. This program promotes opportunities for European music groups and artists to perform at festivals outside their home countries while ensuring broad media attention. It is implemented in collaboration with the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), music export offices, and local media. Representing Latvia in the ESNS Exchange program are also the festivals Positivus and Summer Sound, which take part in its activities. In total, the ESNS Exchange program includes 130 festivals, 31 media outlets, and 26 music export offices, fostering greater collaboration and artist visibility on an international level.

As part of the ESNS Exchange program, Music Latvia has also provided two young Latvian music industry participants with free access to attend and participate in the Eurosonic Noorderslag conference.

Agnese Cimuška-Rekke, Executive Director of Music Latvia, commented:
“The Eurosonic Noorderslag conference marks the start of the year for the European music industry – a place where leading festival organizers gather to discover and support the next European music stars. It offers equal opportunities to all European countries, emphasizing inclusion and diversity. However, countries with less developed support systems and weaker industries often lack the resources to fully utilize these opportunities, making participation in such initiatives particularly important.”

This year, Latvia is represented at the ESNS festival by the indie band “Sudden Lights,” performing today, January 16, at 7:30 PM at Forum Rabostudio.

“Sudden Lights” began their international career in 2023 by representing Latvia at the Eurovision Song Contest. The band has performed solo concerts and participated in festivals in Estonia, Lithuania, Finland, Poland, Germany, and the United Kingdom. To date, “Sudden Lights” has released three albums.

Linda Āboliņa, representative of the management team for “Sudden Lights,” commented:
“As a manager, I have been attending the Eurosonic Noorderslag conference for several years, but this year, for the first time, I am also participating with a band performance. It is a great honor – we are the only Latvian musicians at this major event this year. The work involved in participating in Eurosonic differs significantly from a regular concert, as the main focus here is on inviting conference delegates to the performance. Among them are organizers of the world’s largest festivals, concert agents, and media representatives.”

The Latvian delegation attending the conference includes:

  • Agnese Cimuška-Rekke (Music Latvia)
  • Guna Zučika (Every Little Thing)
  • Katrīna Liene Bičus (Very Cool People)
  • Bruno Roze (I LOVE YOU records)
  • Uldis Pabērzis (Summer Sound Festival)
  • Ģirts Majors (Positivus Festival)
  • Irina Alescenko (Positivus Festival)
  • Elva Lorence (Positivus Festival)
  • Linda Āboliņa (Sudden Lights)

Music Latvia’s activities are supported by the Ministry of Culture and LaIPA.

Preparing for the warm season, Aptiekas Bēru Ansamblis releases a energetic single “Oda priekam”

“”Oda priekam” is a song full of irony, drama and honesty. It is an reminder and bitter experience with those well-known little creatures, who hides in the heat of summer, innocent corners of the forest or in the threatening size of clouds. Before listening we recommend using a mosquito repellent and protect your bare skin,” says Aptiekas Bēru Ansamblis about their new single.

Song “Oda priekam” was recorded in Riga, “Gateris” studio, sound engineer Jānis Kalvāns.

The band’s lineup consists of Irbe Šmite (vocal), Agnese Želneronoka (vocal), Laima Edīte Cīrule (guitar), Līga Inkēna (bass), Ilze Barkeviča (accordion), Madara Markovska (accordion), Mārtiņš Rutks also Rutkis (drums). Maija Cīrule (violin) also participated in the recording.

“Oda priekam” is available on all the most popular streaming sites.

Aptiekas Bēru Ansamblis dates back to 2018, merging Vecrīgas kroga Aptieka workers and friends in a song together. In the March 2024, the band released their debut album “Tunku cincis”, thanks to their victory in the new band competition “Nemiera Blice”. It has been reviewed in the magazine “Mūzikas Saule” and in the NRA portal, as well mentioned in the show “Zibens pa dibenu”, made by the music reporter Uldis Rudaks, as one of the best Latvian music albums of all time.

For the ones, who don’t know the band, they refer to their represented style as neo-eclectic-pank-indie-schlager aka cross-genre music. It’s a creatively messy music performed by seven non-professional enthusiasts.

Open Call: Baltic Focus at Ireland Music Week 2025

Ireland Music Week 2025 is set to welcome a groundbreaking international focus with the launch of “Baltic Focus at Ireland Music Week”, a collaborative initiative between Music Latvia, Music Estonia, and the Lithuanian Music Business Association. Taking place in Dublin this October, the initiative aims to spotlight emerging music and industry talent from the Baltic states — Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia — on one of Europe’s most respected showcase festival stages. From the Baltic states, 3 artists and 15 professionals will be selected altogether.

Ireland Music Week, running from October 2–3, 2025, is known for its rigorous artist selection and impactful industry programming, including panels, workshops, and networking sessions. Now, with Baltic Focus, the festival expands its geographical reach and inclusivity, recognizing the vibrant and innovative music scenes in the Baltic region. The Baltic Focus marks the first major presence of Baltic artists at the festival, opening new avenues for cultural exchange and industry collaboration. The project not only introduces the distinct musical voices of the region to international audiences but also strengthens ties with Ireland’s Baltic diaspora of over 55,000 people.

One act from each of the three countries will be selected through an open call, with the final line-up chosen by the three national export offices and Ireland Music Week representatives. Selected artists will receive a 500 EUR performance fee, backline support, and up to 1500 EUR in travel and accommodation reimbursement. All the selected artists will receive mentoring, artist meetings and speed-meeting opportunities. Five music professionals will be selected from each country — a total of up to 15 professionals — to join the delegation. Travel and accommodation costs will be reimbursed up to 700 EUR. Each country’s music export office will make the selection based on the strength of the application, export plans targeting the destination country and its surrounding regions, and ongoing export activities. Additionally, 2 music professionals — totaling up to 6 professionals from the Baltics — are invited by the festival itself, with the following coverage of the costs – accommodation for 3 nights and travel reimbursement up to 200 euros.

Applications are open until May 25, 2025, to artists and professionals based in Estonia, Latvia, or Lithuania, from any genre. This is a unique opportunity to connect with leading music industry professionals from across Europe and perform at one of the continent’s most influential music events.

See artist terms & conditions: HERE

Apply to play: https://musicestonia.typeform.com/to/jsrSDmxy

See delegation terms & conditions: HERE

Apply for delegation: https://musicestonia.typeform.com/to/UXuwgRlh

For more details and to apply, artists can contact their national partner organization. The Baltic Focus is supported by the Baltic Culture Fund.

Meadow Talks releases “Garden” – A Delicate Ode to Loss and Memory from the Upcoming EP

Czech artist Meadow Talks unveils “Garden”, the second single from her forthcoming EP „Bed of Green“—a hauntingly intimate track written during a songwriting camp in Riga. With production by Polish musician TYNSKY and a heartfelt performance by Latvian songwriter Ilze Rijniece, „Garden“ explores the tender themes of grief, memory, and quiet acceptance.

Emerging from a deeply personal moment of sorrow and introspection, “Garden” is the newest single from Meadow Talks upcoming EP „Bed of Green“, set to be released later this year. Written in November 2024 during a collaborative songwriting camp in Riga, Latvia, the song stands as a moving tribute to the artist’s great-grandmother, who passed away just two weeks before the trip.

The track brings together international voices and textures, featuring Polish producer TYNSKY, whose atmospheric production wraps around the fragile core of the song, and Latvian musician Ilze Rijniece, who contributes both piano and kokle—a traditional Latvian string instrument. These organic elements, woven with subtle field recordings from the very classroom where the track was conceived, create a unique and deeply human sonic tapestry.

Unlike a traditional single, „Garden“ embraces an experimental structure. Its gentle flow of instrumental swells, fragments of spoken word, and candid moments of laughter challenge standard songwriting form, leaning instead into raw emotion and atmosphere. This approach reflects the inner turbulence of grief—moments of heaviness offset by unexpected lightness and stillness.

“Garden is about letting go of control,” says Meadow Talks. “It’s about standing still in front of something you cannot change and simply acknowledging it exists. It’s not loud, it’s not resolved—it just is.”

As the second glimpse into „Bed of Green“ (EP), „Garden“ sets a quiet but powerful tone for the EP’s exploration of nature, memory, and emotional vulnerability. With its cross-cultural collaborations and tender authenticity, the track promises to resonate with listeners navigating their own landscapes of loss and remembrance.

Musician Luka releases new summer single “Tik viegli”

On Friday, May 30, 2025, musician Luka is releasing her new summer single “Tik viegli”, which she presents as a preview of her upcoming EP album, set for release this fall. The song’s music video will be available on all major streaming platforms starting May 30 at 12:00 PM.

“The song ”Tik viegli” reflects how I’m learning to embrace the good in everyday life – not rejecting the things that bring peace, safety, and joy,” says Luka. “It’s a gesture of gratitude toward the people who bring that feeling into my life, and at the same time, a permission I give myself to be open to joy. “Tik viegli” is a reminder that feeling good and accepting it is not only possible, but also something we deserve.”

“Tik viegli” was created in collaboration with producer Patriks Elviss Pētersons. The chorus came to life while Luka was visiting Denmark and became the foundation for the song’s overall mood. The guitar parts were recorded by Jānis Kalniņš, and the track was post-produced by Kaspars Ansons. The visual concept for the song was created by Ralfs Jankevics and Emīls Trauliņš.

Luka shares that the creative process for this track was unpredictable and ever-changing, as both the song and its creation differed from her previous work. The theme of water is a constant motif – both in the song and its visual story, which is part of a broader journey that will continue with the upcoming EP.

The single will be performed live for the first time on June 5 at “Bourzma Boutique 2025” at 8:00 PM.

Musician Luka is the runner-up of Season 5 of the music show “X faktors” and was also a participant in this year’s “Supernova”. She also gained recognition with her single “Atļauties”. Luka plans to further pursue her musical career abroad.

The band “R.A.P.” releases an energetic single and music video

Marking their return after a 17-year hiatus, the band “R.A.P.” has released a new, energetic single titled “Melnā (Ak nē, nē, nē!)”, along with a music video. 

The song’s music was created by all four band members – vocalist Artis Dvarionas, guitarist Aleksandrs Štro, bassist Artis Rozītis, and drummer Gatis Kaizers. The lyrics were written by Artis Dvarionas. The initial musical idea was born during the band’s first creative retreat after reuniting, which took place last year in Rauna, while the lyrics were written later, following the band’s powerful comeback concert this March.

“The song is based on healthy irony about emotions we all know – when anxiety caused by a desire for recognition, and fear that your work won’t meet expectations, becomes a burden,” says Artis Dvarionas. “These feelings are especially familiar to people in creative fields, who often experience a stark contrast between the initial euphoria of a new idea and the hard-hitting reality that follows.”

An equally energetic music video was produced for the new track “Melnā (Ak nē, nē, nē!)” which is a rarity in the band’s history. “This is a big deal for us, as we haven’t exactly been generous with music videos in the past,” Artis continues. “The concept was simple – to highlight the song’s dynamics and its self-ironic message. This was possible thanks to two truly talented individuals who brought our vision to life – director Marks Landmanis and cinematographer Ritvars Bluka.”

As previously reported, the band “R.A.P.” – considered one of the flag-bearers of the local alternative rock scene – returned last November after a 17-year creative break, releasing the new song “Mēs esam atpakaļ!”. This March, they reunited with their audience with full force at a concert held at “Palladium” concert hall in Riga. The concert has also been nominated for the public media award “Kilograms kultūras”.

The band is now actively preparing for their summer shows, two of which have already been announced – on July 26, “R.A.P.” will perform at the “Saldus Saule” festival, and on August 2, they’ll take the stage at the grand summer festival “Summer Sound” in Liepāja.

Meanwhile, the new single “Melnā (Ak nē, nē, nē!)” is already available on top Latvian radio stations and major music streaming platforms.

The new music video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/QB5WEloOKlg

“Auļi” launch second season of “Senču Balsu” in collaboration with a singer from Ghana

The drum and bagpipe group “Auļi” kicks off the second season of their project “Senču Balsis” with a three-song mini-album titled “Voices of Ghana”, featuring the talented Ghanaian singer Abiana. The project aims to build a musical bridge between traditional vocal cultures from around the world and Latvian folk music.

Abiana (real name Eldah Naa Abiana Dickson) is a renowned Ghanaian singer and songwriter who has received several prestigious awards, including “Record of the Year” and “Best Female Vocal Performance” at the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards.

The mini-album features three traditional Ghanaian songs in different dialects – “Senwa De Dende” (Twi), “Meele Ni Yaa” (Ga) and “Agba Eeeee” (Ewe) – arranged by Auļi. The music was composed by Mārtiņš Miļevskis, Edgars Kārklis, and Kaspars Bārbals.

“After the success of the first season, which culminated in a successful concert tour in Latvia, a documentary on Latvian Television, and wide engagement on social media, we were ready to continue this journey. That’s why we are especially excited to once again focus on international musical collaborations,” shared Auļi bagpiper Kaspars Bārbals.

Michael Bamfo, CEO of Apprise Music, emphasized the broader impact of the collaboration, stating: “This project goes beyond music. It connects history, education, and innovation — perfectly aligning with our mission to make African music accessible to a global audience.”

The second season of the project is set to include a 12-song program, created in collaboration with three international female vocalists and one Latvian singer. The goal is to offer both Latvian and global audiences a glimpse into the vocal traditions of various cultures around the world.

“It’s incredibly fascinating to observe how songs from such different cultures intertwine with Latvian folk songs and Auļi’s music. It evokes emotions never felt before,” says composer Mārtiņš Miļevskis.

The first season was released in 2019 and featured vocalists from Mongolia, Austria, Sápmi (the land of the Sámi people), and Latvia. The most viewed video on YouTube from the project is the collaboration between Auļi and Batzorig Vaanchig titled “Hunnu Guren”: https://youtu.be/vztRqe_CHC0?si=gvsZZ1_OfVzkUH32

Rapper Revolūcija releases music video and announces debut mini-album “sekcija”

Rapper Revolūcija, in collaboration with producer Tablis and singer Amanda, has released a new single and music video titled “pieklājības pēc”. This serves as a preview of Revolūcija’s debut mini-album “sekcija”, set to be released on June 4.

The song, driven by Afrobeat rhythms and a touch of irony, reflects on going on dates not out of passion or interest, but simply out of politeness. It is another example of Revolūcija’s ability to humorously shed light on everyday emotional tangles.

“With “pieklājības pēc” I wanted to challenge producer Tablis, who’s more known for classic boom bap beats — these Afro rhythms were new territory for both of us. Movement and dance are close to my heart, so a huge thank-you goes to choreographer Alise and the dancers. The whole video shoot was carried out with great care and love — we spent three days shoulder to shoulder, and all the hard work really paid off. I’m proud of our whole hardworking team,” shares Revolūcija.

In addition to Tablis, the track also features guitarist Egils Dandzbergs and Gita Laimīte. With the single “pieklājības pēc” Revolūcija announces her debut mini-album “sekcija”, which will be released on June 4.

The music video for “pieklājības pēc” was directed and written by Elza Dandzberga, with cinematography and editing by Ričards Zariņš. This marks the second video collaboration between Elza and Ričards. Filmed over three days across four locations, the video includes fifteen different scenes. It is rich in symbolism and visual references that convey peace, harmony, unity, and inner balance — from olive tree branches and a dragonfly on the back to a mandala shape and the yin-yang symbol. Fish and the newspaper “Pionieris” serve as callbacks to Revolūcija’s earlier singles “džeku virtuve” and “kumode”.

“The narrative of the song and video is from a female perspective, highlighting strong female friendship and support. The visuals are dominated by natural scenes, and the overall atmosphere is light — inspired by the Afro rhythms of the track itself. In my vision, meaning lies in the details — every element, reference, and symbol has its reason and place. Nothing is accidental,” explains director Elza.

The video features dancers from Pro/X and Space Dance Studio, with choreography by Alise Diure.

Watch the music video for “pieklājības pēc” on YouTube: https://youtu.be/8VHmYkI38U0

Revolūcija, whose real name is Lūcija Bāliņa, was born in Jūrmala and grew up in the Kauguri district. She began her journey in song writing by independently writing essays and poems. Currently, she is a first-year journalism student at RSU and an author to the HIPHOPS.LV platform.

Tablis is best known as a hip-hop producer and sound engineer with the ability to adapt his ear to almost any genre. As with all his works, he pays great attention to detail and every nuance of sound in this track as well.

Elza Dandzberga, who grew up in Lapmežciems and graduated from Jūrmalas Valsts ģimnāzija, started her path in visual arts at an early age through drawing, painting, and working with ceramics. She is currently studying audiovisual media arts at RISEBA and is a social media content creator for HIPHOPS.LV and Nākotnes parks.

Singer Amanda, like Lūcija, has been active in the youth scene in Jūrmala and developed her vocal skills both in her school’s ensemble and as a solo performer. She is currently the president of the Student Council at the Latvian Academy of Culture and also creates social media content for HIPHOPS.LV.

Band “Papīra lidmašīnas” releases new single “Peļķe ielas galā”

The song ”Peļķe ielas galā” is the first single from the band’s ’’Papīra lidmašīnas” upcoming second studio album.

“Weekends, sunshine, friends, and the feeling that tomorrow can wait. Sometimes you just need to forget what time it is, what you have to do tomorrow, and what others think. That’s what this song is about,” says the band’s lead vocalist, Rihards Bērziņš. “We invite everyone this summer to share their wildest, warmest, and most unforgettable moments. Let “Peļķe ielas galā’’ be a song for your heart, for relaxation, and for the holidays!”

Listen to the song here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zI0jI9Js3g0

“It’s exciting to start working on new songs and crafting new stories. We’ve got a lot of ideas piled up in the demo folder — now it’s time to turn them into something worth listening to. We haven’t set a release date for the new album yet, but I really hope we can make it happen in 2026,” shares band member and producer Juris Ludženieks.

’’Papīra lidmašīnas” released their debut album “Turbulence” in May 2024, featuring 12 tracks.

Listen to the album here: https://open.spotify.com/album/7wtuQAol21mtXLZj44y0jL?si=iWYPBSgURDeEfhwb3_p9Uw