Latvian singer Palu releases the song “Talk to me”

Singer Palū, the finalist of the fourth season of the show “X Factor”, comes out with a new song – “Talk to me”, which was created together with young artists – producer and songwriter Patriks Peterson and musician Krišjānis Brasliņš. The artists met at the eighth session of the RIGaLIVE songwriting camp organized by the Music Export Latvia, where the first version of the song was created.

“We met each other exactly a year ago – at the RIGaLive songwriting camp, where we immediately felt that we speak a similar language, and that’s how the song was created – each of us bringing our own feelings to the table. The track captures the emotions that typically surface in autumn, that cozy feeling under a warm blanket, observing the transition from vibrant colors to November’s grayness. It’s about wanting to cuddle up tightly, look into each other’s eyes, and express deep affection,” in the words of the singer and co-author, Palū.

The song was recorded by several musicians:

Music and lyrics – Patriks Peterson, Palū, Krišjānis Brasliņš, producer – Patriks Peterson, electric guitar – Rudolfs Ozols, bass – Raivo Vaivars, Bruno Priekulis, drums – Artis Orubs.

Last year, Palu took part in the show “Voices of Lithuania” with significant achievements, getting into the team of the popular Lithuanian singer Monika Liu. Shortly before the finale of the show, Palu left the show.

Successful Completion of the 9th session of the “RIGaLIVE” songwriting camp

“Latvian Music Development Association/Latvian Music Export” has successfully concluded the 9th session of the “RIGaLIVE” songwriting camp that took place from November 7 to 9, bringing together 30 songwriters, performers, and producers with an aim to create new songs and collaborations.

On the first day of the camp, participants engaged in informative masterclasses on intellectual property matters, including copyrights, neighbouring rights. The sessions were led by Liena Edvardsa, executive director of the Latvian Performers and Producer’s  Association (LaIPA), and Linda Zommere, head of the legal department at the Patent Office.

Additionally, there were presentations on entering the Estonian music market by Ave Tölpt (Music Estonia), insights into the French music market by Benjamin Demelemester (Centre national de la musique), and discussions on music synchronization in film and advertising featuring Magdalena Niestryjewska from Jaguarec. The day concluded with a panel discussion on synchronization in films, ads, and beyond, featuring Guna Zučiks (Every Little Thing, LV), Dāvis Sīmanis (film director, LV), Magdalena Niestryjewska (Jaguarec, PL), Sandra Perens (Tier Music Publishing, EE), and Elvijs Pārpucs (Later Riga, LV).

During the second and third days of the camp, participants worked on creating new songs, presenting their work each evening not only to fellow participants but also to industry experts who evaluated the potential of each song.

“Our goal was to create an international, exciting platform for music creation and artist development, and we have achieved that. The collaboration with ‘Jāzeps Mediņš Riga Music Secondary School’ is vital as it allows us to involve the younger generation, share industry knowledge, and promote the acquisition of essential skills. We express our gratitude to the team, students, and director Ainārs Šablovskis of Jāzeps Mediņš Riga Music Secondary School for their collaboration and support,” said Agnese Cimuška-Rekke, executive director of the Latvian Music Development Association/Latvian Music Export.

“This camp has been like a creative recharge that has opened up new perspectives not only in my songwriting but also provided an opportunity to collaborate with talented musicians from other countries. I am confident that ‘RIGaLIVE’ is a place where new collaborations and opportunities emerge, and I am happy to be part of this wonderful experience,” commented singer Marta Grigale, reflecting on her participation in the “RIGaLIVE” songwriting camp.

In total, the 9th session of the RIGaLIVE camp produced 25 new songs in various music genres. This year, participants included musicians from nine countries: Latvia, Estonia, Sweden, Poland, the Czech Republic, Germany, France, the United Kingdom, and Slovenia.

“RIGaLIVE” is organized with the support of the Latvian Performers and Producers’ Association (LaIPA), the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Latvia, Jāzeps Mediņš Riga Music Secondary School, Laima, Jersika Chips, VENDEN, msonic Baltic Latvia, and Aldaris.

Múr releases third single “Stood Quiet” from upcoming minialbum

The author and producer Múr releases third and final single Stood Quiet (Stāvam Klusi) from her upcoming third studio minialbum Disbalanss. The record was made in London, UK with music producer Daniel Guillermo Sauceda from Miami, USA.

Stood Quiet (Stāvam Klusi) sonically differs from first two singles Tu Mani Turi and Ārstēšanās with overdrive of melancholy and notes of R&B influences. Múr recorded the new minialbum Disbalanss in London where she’s currently living and studying Masters in music production.

The author adds: “It was important for me to have a piece in the album to produce by myself. It allowed creating a space for self-exploration as a producer, and the results have brought contentment. This song resonates with me the deepest. Stood Quiet is the most honest, relaxed, and possibly the most beautiful track on Disbalanss”.

Sudden Lights and Gustavo release the song “Adata un diegs”

The song was created as the official anthem of the “Dod pieci” charity marathon.

“”Adata un diegs” or the needle and thread are a symbol of the desire to sew up what is torn – whether it is a patch on torn pants or a stitched wound after a fight. It can just as well be a patch for our relationship or mental health. The message of the song is quite universal – for each of us at least once in life it has seemed that we are superfluous, but in the madness of youth, these feelings and the humanly desperate desire to belong to something can also lead to wrong paths. That’s what the song is about – about feelings that sometimes seem impossible to fix. The recording of this song was extremely special for us and the band, because we had the honor to work in the same studio with Latvian music legend Gustavo. His verse gave the song a dose of realism and inspiration,” says one of the authors of the anthem, Andrejs Reinis Zitmanis, soloist of the band “Sudden Lights”.

Múr releases third studio album for dark winter nights

Musician Múr today, 1 December, releases indie pop mini album “Disbalanss” (Imbalance) for those with ‘chronic tendency for nostalgia’. Record was made in London where she’s studying for a master’s degree in music production.

Múr (Madara Murnikova) released her debut album “Under Allure” in December 2017 and it was followed by mini album “Nekas Vairs Nav Skaisti” (Nothing is Beautiful Anymore) in September 2018. The new mini album “Disbalanss” is the first which the artist releases as a producer and a mixing and mastering engineer. “I’ve spent the last five years learning and crafting my skills to get to this point where I both know the recording and mixing process to the bone and can also confidently lead my team” Madara says. “It was important for me to keep my hand on the pulse in every step because I knew that only decisions very much authentic to me will result in something I’m proud of. And that’s this album.”

“Disbalanss” covers a larger range of emotions than previous works. In the album, emotional and nostalgic tracks like “Stāvam Klusi” (Stood Quiet) and bonus track “Jēga” (Purpose) can be found, as well as alternative and electronic dance rhythms in the track “Puzle” (Jigsaw). Album contains five tracks, an outro and two bonus tracks.
Musicians from all around the globe participated in the making of the album. It was produced by Múr (Madara Murnikova), Daniel Guillermo Sauceda from USA and Ohmri Young from the UK. Morten Rosnes from Norway participated in the mastering of “Stāvam Klusi”.

Singer-songwriter Ivo Fomins releases a new song, video and announces a major concert in Liepāja

Singer-songwriter Ivo Fomins, after a hiatus of more than a year and intensive concerts in sold-out venues, is finally releasing a new song and video! “Vēl viens pagrieziens” (Another Turn) is co-written by Ivo Fomins and Guntars Račs Music, who collaborated on nearly all of Ivo’s previous hits.

Ivo: “We never know what awaits us beyond each new turn. Rarely does anyone ponder that because it’s much more crucial to keep moving forward toward our chosen goal. The journey itself is the meaning of life. This is what the new song is about, and it will also be the theme of my major concert in Liepāja, titled ‘Mans ceļš’ (My Way).”

The concert “Mans ceļš” will take place on March 9, 2024, and tickets are already available at Biļešu Paradīze box offices and online here: https://ej.uz/ivofominskoncerts. The concert will feature powerful sound and lighting equipment, and besides Ivo and his band, special guests—individuals who played a significant role in Ivo’s career- will also participate.

The new song “Vēl viens pagrieziens” is produced by Roberts Dinters and Ivo himself, with the final audio mix by Janis Narbuts. The recording includes Ivo Fomins on vocals, Roberts Dinters on guitar and keyboards, Kristaps Eihvalds on bass, and Eriks Hanzovskis on drums. The video is produced by Kaspar Dween Productions.

In addition to the upcoming major concert in March next year, there is an opportunity to attend the remaining shows of Ivo Fomins’ series “30 gadi uz skatuves koncertus” (30 Years on Stage), which will take place on December 8 in Talsi (sold out) and on December 21 in Ogre.

Guntars Račs: “The path is life, and life is the path. Keep moving forward, and don’t fear the swift turns where life occasionally challenges us. They might lead into a ditch but can also take you up a high hill. If you don’t turn, you won’t know.”

The song is available on all music streaming and download platforms worldwide: https://orcd.co/velvienspagrieziens

Agnese Rakovska reveals Innovative ‘Constellation Class’ Method for Music Education

Agnese Rakovska introduces ‘Constellation class,’ which is a new method aimed at revolutionizing and digitizing music lessons within the general education system. The primary focus is on engaging students in practical activities while providing opportunities to gain fundamental music knowledge and theory in a contemporary manner, utilizing technology and music production equipment. This approach influences children and their thinking towards music lessons, combating the stigma within the education system that deems music classes dull, outdated, and irrelevant.

The project directly addresses this issue, creating an environment and method that resonates closely with the interests of children and teenagers. By growing both theory and practical skills, it allows students to use the knowledge in real-life scenarios. It primarily adopts the structure established by ‘School 2030,’ aligning with the guidelines and recommendations adopted by the Ministry of Education and Science for organizing the educational process.

“Music lessons should focus on practical activities that foster each student’s creativity and interest in music. My experience and education have been the key in creating an entirely new concept, addressing educational issues in a modern and relevant manner,” says Agnese.

The project’s goal is to introduce the ‘Constellation Class’ initiative in multiple educational institutions throughout the upcoming academic year, developing new teaching materials and enhancing the technical infrastructure of schools. Additionally, the initiative aims to nurture a new generation capable of competing in the creative industries.

Project tasks involve identifying schools willing to modernize their music classes, engaging educators ready to adopt this method, creating pilot lessons to assess their relevance among children, developing evaluation criteria for music classes, initiating the adoption process, and conducting teacher training.

Musician and producer BAIBA releases a new single and a video filmed on an Alpine peak

BAIBA, a Latvian musician and producer based in Austria, has released a new single and a live music video filmed at the top of the Alps.

“Black Hole” is her latest work and is already available on the most popular music streaming sites. BAIBA performed this song for her fans for the first time in a very unusual way – on the shores of a picturesque lake, located on a hiking trail in Austria at an altitude of 2158 metres.

Her performance is featured in the music video for the song “Black Hole”, a collaboration between the “Gigmit” booking platform and the portable power company “Instagrid”.


In the song, BAIBA talks about the bittersweet ‘unhealthy’ or ‘toxic’ love, often praised in pop culture.

The journey into space, the longing for something beautiful and lasting, and the fear of whether this attraction to the other will “suck out” the whole essence of oneself, pulling one into the nothingness or black hole of space – these existential questions, combined with a flowing melody and strong bass lines, create a whirlwind of feelings.


This is her first release since her EP “Compulsive” this spring.

Elizabete Gaile covers Gain Fast song ”Tas nav uz zemes šīs”

Elizabete Gaile has released her version of the Gain Fast song ”Tas nav uz zemes šīs” giving a new sound to the song. ”There’s something special about this tune and the feeling it gives. When winter came, I felt that I wanted to record my version of it, as this song has become very close to me.

For this anxious time that goes along with the pre-holiday atmosphere, I wanted to convey a sense of peace and take the listener somewhere higher.” says Elizabete.

Rapper Loopout (member of the group “Rīmdari”) releases a new album “Monsters in Dreams”

The album “Monsters in Dreams” is a story about monsters in your head that prevent you from fulfilling your dreams.
“This album is a battle between two worlds,” the author of the album explains, “between ego – doubts, fears, anger, which lead to the brink of self-destruction and love – dreams, positive emotions, creativity and joy of life.”
The album contains 13 compositions – 9 songs and 4 skits. The album was produced by Reinis Kārkliņš. Three of the album’s songs feature the voice of Baiba Bite.

“It’s been a long road. The picture that can be seen in the album design was taken in 2003. That was the year I discovered rap music and it became my main source of inspiration.” Kriss remembers, “That summer I had an unrealistic dream that one day I could be on stage. But over the years, I managed to lose my way a little, encountered depression, psychosis and other mental problems, which, thanks to professional psychotherapists and support from my family, I managed to solve.”
In 2021, Loopout released their debut EP “Music from Nowhere” and last October released the album’s title track “Monsters in Dreams”. The video of the song was created using artificial intelligence generated animations. Loopout is the hip-hop project of Latvian musician Kriss Baglais. Kriss is a member of the latvian hip-hop group “Rīmdari”.
Photo Helmuts Oelke Elks