Author: macha

Indie rock band “Pyro Trees” reveals the first single „Small Talk” from their upcoming debut LP which will be released in November of this year.

In the summer of 2015, after playing in such festivals as Laba Daba, Playground in Latvia and Devilstone in Lithuania, the band started to work on their debut album.The song „Small Talk” is the first single that is published for a wider audience, and also the first song to be published after their lead singer and guitarist Rūdolfs left the band and went to study abroad.

Right after the release of the first single “Pyro Trees” are going to the capital of Poland – Warsaw, where they are going to represent Latvia in the music conference Liveurope. The band’s performance will be on 11th of September on the stage of Stodola – one of the most popular music clubs in Warsaw, together with 28 other new European bands.

And on the 25th of September “Pyro Trees” are playing in Hamburg, Germany – in one of the biggest conferences of the European music industry – Reeperbahn, which will be held this year for the 10th time. So far Latvia in Reeperbahn has been represented by bands such as “Carnival Youth”, “Triana Park”, “The Sound Poets” and “Audience Killers”.

Vocal group FRAMEST releases a new single „Dod, Dieviņi”, music author ir composer and group’s artistic leader Janis Kirsis ( Jānis Ķirsis), words are taken from Latvian folk songs. The song has been written for the new concert programme „Dainu skapis” (The Cabinet of Latvian folk songs), which will be performed on October 2 in Spikeri Concert Hall and on October 9 at Kauguri Culture House.

Concert programme „Dainu skapis” results from musical explorations, where traditional melody is put in such a form, rhythm and harmony which reflects both contemporary academic and popular music. This programme is influenced by traditional Latvian culture but has a fresh, modern sounding, traditional folk tunes being mixed with modern composition techniques – jazz, electronics etc.  Concert programme consists of arrangements and original compositions by two members of the vocal group Framest – Janis Kirsis and Roberts Memmens (Jānis Ķirsis and Roberts Memmēns).

laimepilniga.bigcartel.com  is a place where everybody can support latvian rock quartet „Laime Pilniga” (The LP) and get its T-shirts and CD digipacks.

Andris Nelsons and the Boston Symphony Orchestra’s first Deutsche Grammophon recording  Shostakovich Under Stalin’s Shadow — featuring Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 10 and the Passacaglia from Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk won the Grammy Award for Best Orchestral Performance last night at the 58th annual Grammy Awards.

Andris Nelsons was born in Riga in 1978 into a family of musicians, Andris Nelsons began his career as a trumpeter in the Latvian National Opera Orchestra before studying conducting. He was Music Director of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra from 2008-2015, Principal Conductor of Nordwestdeutsche Philharmonie in Herford, Germany 2006-2009 and Music Director of Latvian National Opera 2003-2007.

The Briefing is an indie pop band formed in 2002 by four Latvian musicians, who since 2010 have been living and working in London. So far they have released two studio and one remix album. In 2008 album Funny Thoughts was nominated as the best alternative music album at the Annual Latvian Music…

After a lasting break, DVINES are back in business, presenting their new track – the debut single “SET IT ON FIRE” from the upcoming EP, in collaboration with DJ and producer MAKREE.

After deciding to take a break from any musical activity to find their unique sound, DVINES are back, planning to settle in the electronic pop dance genre.

“SET IT ON FIRE” tells about the desire to get rid of insecurities and anxieties, “set the fears on fire” and start a new life. The song is influenced by pop and house genres, written by both sisters, produced by MAKREE, joined by DJ Rudd, who also took part in the arrangement.

DVINES is a twin sister duo, known for their original songs, appearances at various TV shows and also for collaborations with various dance music producers, including MAKREE, with whom DVINES have successfully collaborated on their last release – “LOUD”.

Musicians first met and started the band in early 2015 in Netherlands while studying jazz.  Their musical style could be described as “The White Stripes” meets Bjork meets “Die Antwoord” because of how Evija’s unique vocals and synths sounds together with Lav’s drumming.

On January 13, the Dutch city of Groningen will be the place to be if you’re a fan of the latest pop, rock and dance sounds.

The 21st edition of WOMEX – the world’s largest world music festival and expo, took place from October 21-25 in the Hungarian capital of Budapest. As reported, Latvia was represented by the Latvian Music Information Centre and  Latvias’ premiere world music group Iļģi who performed on the “Club Duna” showcase stage.

Ilga Reizniece share: “”Iļģi” have just returned from Budapest, where this years installment of WOMEX, the yearly leading world music business exposition, took place. This time there were over 2500 delegates from 90 countries! From that count, there were only 280 musicians. It would be more precise to say that Iļģi did not just attend WOMEX, but they were invited to participate in the regional showcases which took place in Budapests’ newest and most grandiose concert complex – Müpa Budapest (Palace of Arts). Iļģi was one of the 60 acts to be chosen from the over 1200 applications submitted from around the world. This was a great honour, considering the great number of applications received. Iļģi have been applying to WOMEX for many years, and finally got the invitation this year – the only group from the Baltic states to be invited!”

Iļģi concert was introduced by renowned world music musician and journalist, longtime WOMEX delegate, Mr. Andrew Cronshaw.

Iļģi song “Ozoliņš sadega” (The Oak Burned), was also chosen for inclusion in the WOMEX expanded music sampler and can be heard online via the WOMEX stream: www.womex.com/programme/showcase_festival/womeximizer_15

The BBC Radio 3 interviewed Iļģi member Gatis Gaujenieks which can be heard here: www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b06j2njc

WOMEX 2015 in numbers: over 2,500 delegates representing 1,500 companies from 90 countries; 80 speakers and mentors from 40 countries in 23 Conference Sessions; 15 daytime and evening film screenings co-produced in 19 countries and curated for the first time by WOMEX; more than 60 showcase acts with over 280 artists from 50 countries on 7 stages.

Latvian participation in the WOMEX provides Latvian Music Information Centre with the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Latvia and State Culture Capital Foundation financial support.

Vocal group “Latvian Voices” have returned from a series of successful concerts in Taiwan and now are announcing an additional concert November 21st at 3:00 PM in the house of music “Daile” in Riga with their new concert program “Beyond Borders”.

Last week “Latvian Voices “gave two concerts in Taichung and Taipei (Taiwan) joined by Taipei male choir and conducted by Lithuanian conductor and composer Vytautas Miškinis.

“We are still in elation after visiting Taiwan and meeting the wonderful people there. A beautiful country! Although at one point it seemed that the concerts might be cancelled due to the threat of an upcoming typhoon. But a day before the first concert the typhoon calmed down and we were able to do the concerts. It was a great experience and a success and we hope to return to Taiwan as soon as possible,” reveals one of the singers of the group Elīna Šmukste.

After the return to Riga girls are already actively involved in preparation for upcoming concerts in Latvia. Concert program “Beyond Borders” has already visited Rēzekne, Daugavpils and Ādaži. In November Latvian Voices will delight the audiences in Valmiera and Riga – November 13th at 7:00 PM in Valmiera Culture Center and November 21st at 3:00 and 7:00 PM in house of music “Daile” in Riga.

“I love Valmiera! There is a wonderful audience there, we know! Last year we experienced that with our concert program “Rūtoj…” and it is always a pleasure to return to a place where you had good times and memories. Also with impatience we await the concerts in Riga and we are twice as excited because of the great interest from the audience. It is so great that we can have a double celebration for the audience and ourselves,” tells the singer Laura Jēkabsone.

Concert program “Beyond Borders” is formed by original compositions of the group members in fresh and vibrant colors. Besides the new and original compositions there will be also examples of the pop music classics – The Beatles “Strawberry Fields” and Alanis Morissette “Thank U”. In the Riga concerts audience will also witness some world premieres. Program has been made in collaboration with composer and percussion virtuoso Rihards Zaļupe:

“Right now I am at the epicenter of events. We are getting ready for the concerts and also working on the new album, so that the audience can not only take with them the feeling of the concert but also the music. This album will definitely be a surprise to the audience of Latvian Voices. We have added body percussion, accented the beat-box elements, girls are acquiring drumming skills. Also I have to mention that some of the special effects audible in the concerts and on the album are made from girls body percussion elements. I have to confess that Laura Jēkabsone is my latest revelation in music – the songs are tuneful and catchy!”

Meanwhile “Latvian Voices” will also take part in Riga a cappella festival on November 14th, where the audience will be able to hear parts from both programs “Rūtoj…” and “Beyond Borders”.