Author: macha

Velvet River is a duo project consisting of drummer Kārlis Roberts Kalejs (LV) and bass guitarist Tauna Woolfe (UK). Following the release of their debut EP “Casablanca” at the beginning of the summer, the instrumental duo is now releasing live video recordings filmed and recorded in an industrial complex in Riga, Latvia.

“The charm of live recordings provides the listener with a similar feeling as a concert, as everything happens at the same time and place. Moreover, such videos offer the opportunity to see the musicians up close,” says Kārlis, the drummer of Velvet River, expressing the goals of the recordings.

The first recording released by the band, “Casablanca,” is a composition from the duo’s debut album. However, the tracks “Altercy” and “Occurrence” are entirely new and are being presented to the audience for the first time.

The choice to film in “Provodniks” happened very organically, as it was important for the duo to select a location that not only offered an authentic atmosphere but also complemented the group’s sound.

The musicians began their collaboration in late 2019 when both were studying music in the UK. The roles of bass guitar and drums in music typically serve to support and enhance the sound of other instruments, but Velvet River in their music experiment with what they can create just by themselves in such a minimalist context. The duo’s sound and unique concept are inspired by modern and contemporary jazz, combining it with their individual sources of inspiration.

The video series was created in collaboration with videographer Artūrs Krūmiņš, photographer Kārlis Didrihsons, and video producer Nikola Dita Namniece.

Aivo Oskis and Oskars Deigelis have jointly released a new collaboration single titled “Gaiss tīrs”.

The primary theme of the song emphasizes the significance of effective communication within a relationship, especially during challenging times, instead of impulsively seeking fulfillment elsewhere. It underscores that open and honest dialog can lead to more profound and lasting connections between individuals.

With the release of debut EP “short hair now”, Latvian band “whenever near” make a their mark on the local music scene. The album consists of six songs and is available at all major music streaming platforms.

The band is hailing from Riga, Latvia and consists of two members – Anneli Arro (vocals, keys) and Toms Taukulis (guitars, songwriting). Both have been involved in another project called “himnas”, which was nominated for “Austras balva” and “Zelta mikrofons”.

The EP “short hair now” combines post-emo guitar and drum sound influences, rhythmic yet downcast melodies within anthem-like verses. The record was self-released and it’s beginnings date back pre-pandemic.

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On October 21, the music label Amber Muse will continue its autumn-winter season of events. On this date, the Laska V21 club will host a party of the Disco Darko series with the support of Beefeater. Its headliner will be a representative of the Frankfurt scene, which gave the world a galaxy of famous electronic stars – Chinaski from the Robert Johnson club.

Stefan Haag aka Chinaski aka S-F-X is a sound and visual artist, producer, and DJ based in Frankfurt am Main. Born in Northern Germany and coming from a background in digital arts, his endeavours in electronic music are not new: Stefan has been producing for years to develop his signature sound built upon hooky synth lines.

His work has consequently brought him to Robert Johnson, in whose vicinity he stayed to become a resident in 2014. Led by a keen instinct for the visual counterpart of sound in video and live performance, Stefan has also edited numerous video clips for befriended artists and releases on Die Orakel or Live At Robert Johnson – the label he is closely affiliated with as a musician. He has also been released with Permanent Vacation, Running Back, Bordello A Parigi, and Dischi Autunno, among others.

As Chinaski Stefan addresses the dance floor as a joyful space where the roots and the contemporary of electronic dance music walk hand in hand. In his sets, he combines those genres of contemporary electronica that are commonly referred to as dark disco.

Indie and psychedelic rock band @thebadtones have just released their second tringle, ‘ii’, featuring three new tracks. Among them, “Vējš,” accompanied by a music video created by the band members, explores the theme of facing life’s headwinds. Lead vocalist and lyricist Edvards Broders shares, “Just like riding a bicycle over Vanšu bridge on a rainy day, with the wind in your ears and raindrops on your face, ‘Vējš’ captures the struggle to overcome helplessness and find your way forward.”

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After doing music in Latvia for years singer, song writer MARTA is ready to step into international waters with her first debut in English – Losing Game. 

“Neaizej” is the second single from the group’s “EP” due in the first half of 2024.

The song reminds us that sometimes, when we remember happy moments, we regret that we didn’t enjoy them, that we didn’t capture everything that was offered.

At a time when summer lingers in people’s memories, even though it has long passed, there is another summer that no one wants to  enjoy on their own skin – it is the nuclear summer. The band JAUDA has released a new single and video for their new song “Kodolvasara”, which is the first preview from the new studio album.

The lyrics of the song are closely related to today’s geopolitical situation and the age-old values of power-hungry people that have existed throughout human history. History is full of evidence that the elite play their games at the expense of the common people who live their own very different lives and their reactions to what is happening are also very different.

The band releases its latest studio work at the time when their participation in the “X-Factor” show has ended, where they had to lose their seat in the second round, but this has not affected the group’s desire to continue working, because, according to the members of the band, intensive work is currently underway on of the new, now third, studio album.

The band would like to thank everyone who participated in the making of the video clip, as it has been a very long and intensive process throughout the year.

The group JAUDA is: Daniels Levickis(drums), Dainis Paeglis (bass), Gatis Pastars (guitar).

On November 17, the Laska V21 space will host an event dedicated to the 19th anniversary of the Riga music label Amber Muse. The founders of the company, Bogdan Taran and Max Lomov as Queer on Acid, as well as two local duos mOZ & Herren Ivo and Jazzy Marky & Nick Ustinov, will deliver their DJ sets there. The headliner will be musician, queer performer, and DJ Josh Caffé, a resident of the London club Fabric.

Josh Caffé has spent the last decade on a breathless trip through the fringes of London’s shifting house and techno continuum. As a DJ, singer/songwriter, producer, and activist of British-Ugandan descent, Caffé’s influence has been felt everywhere from institutions such as Panorama bar and Adonis to his own Love Child party, curated at Fabric, where Caffé holds an influential residency. Collaborating with international icons of dance music and fashion such as Honey Dijon, he has become an even more visible and respected presence in recent years.

Recently delivered his debut album “Poppa Zesque” on Erol Alkan’s label Phantasy Sound, Caffé has made his boldest statement yet. Two singles, ‘According To Jacqueline’ and ‘Do You Wanna Take Me Home?’ (remixed by Steffi & Virginia) effortlessly captured Caffé’s vision of queer liberation and sensuality. Working alongside both Quinn Whalley of Paranoid London, for whom Caffé has provided memorable vocal turns, and saxophonist Alex White of Fat White Family, Caffé’s solo material is charismatic, frenetic, and rich in inspiration, from classic Chicago house, UK acid culture, 00s rap and his twin heroes, Prince and Grace Jones.

All these influences, be they sensual, jackin’ or sexually playful, echo through Caffé’s selections as a DJ. Mixes for Honey Soundsystem, Beats In Space, Naive and Love International speak for Caffé’s standing in the queer and wider dance music communities.

Having forged an intimate connection with dancers across the sphere of underground house and-techno, whether on the dancefloor and record, on the mic or in the booth, in the grimiest of clubs or owning festival stages, Josh Caffé’s attitude and talent continue to inspire radical freedom.

Amber Muse is a record label that hosts parties, festivals and produces a weekly electronic music show on the national Radio NABA in Latvia and Raadio 2 in Estonia. It has over 50 music releases, more than a hundred events of various sizes and has invited international stars to Riga, including Pablo Bozzi, Phase Fatale, KiNK, Robert Owens, Funk D’Void among many others.

The 19th anniversary of Amber Muse will begin at 22:00 with a special vinyl session by Bogdan Taran in the Laska V21 (Vagonu str 21) bar space. For two hours, he will play and review several classic electronic records from his collection. The club’s dance floor will open at midnight, where Josh Caffé, Queer on Acid, mOZ & Herren Ivo and Jazzy Marky & Nick Ustinov will perform. Tickets for the party at https://ra.co/events/1798735.