Fools On Parade release their second studio album „Human Reaction”

Influenced by the scars and human experiences of the pandemic left behind, Fools On Parade describe their second studio album “Human Reaction” as energetic, charismatic and candid. It is worth mentioning that the album for the band is a remarkable leap out of their comfort zone and a successful attempt to enter various song categories, including songs about love. For some time, the band have been eager to escape a homogenous style, and as they grow musically within years, they finally managed to experiment with their own sound. “Human Reaction” was recorded in their own studio in Ropaži, while post-production has been developed in collaboration with Mix & Master. So far, the highest number of people have been involved in the making of this album and three music videos will be included within this project.

Since 2017, Fools On Parade have gained some recognition under the Latvian post-grunge scene with their debut album “Hometown Stories” and have won several awards from various Latvian Radio stations and music publications. They have showcased their mastery in moving audiences by performing 97 concerts a year and performing at festivals such as Summer Sound, Playground, TasTe and Open Air Festival, causing attendees to sweat profusely.

Featured on LDN Music Magazine’s Upcoming Artists for 2021

“One of the best Latvian rock discoveries in 2019. Energetic, youthful and enthusiastic post-grunge, which is almost impossible to compare to any other current bands in Latvia.”

– NRA (Independent Morning Newspaper)

“Sometimes you hear a glimpse of Kurt Cobain.” – PIECI.LV Radio

Osokins Freedom Festival for Ukraine Comes to an End with a Magnificent Concert at Wagner House, Raising More than €20 000 in Donation

The Osokins Freedom Festival for Ukraine comes to an end with a magnificent Gala concert and an exhibition dedicated to the war in Ukraine, during which more than EUR 20 000 were donated to support Ukraine. The Gala concert took place at the Wagner House in Riga on Saturday, 10 June.

The Festival’s Gala concert featured the “Kremerata Lettonica”string ensemble, actresses Dita Lūriņa and Larisa Ponomarenko, as well as the Festival’s founder and creative director, pianist Andrejs Osokins himself. The concert was opened by the President of Latvia Egils Levits and the Ambassador of Ukraine to Latvia Anatoliy Kutsevol. Visitors to the concert also had the opportunity to see a special exhibition dedicated to the Ukrainian war – drawings by Ukrainian children from Kharkiv, Irpin, Kiev and Latvia, the installation “Time” by artist Edmunds Kalniņš, and an exhibition of portraits of Ukrainian women who have found refuge in Latvia, accompanied by sad stories from Grebnevo. On Sunday, 11 June, the cultural space “Ola Foundation” hosted the epilogue of the Festival – a solo concert by pianist GeorgijsOsokins. On Saturday, June 17 festival will close with a Charity concert in Kuldīga.

Ticket revenue from the Festival, together with the funds donated in a special campaign on Ziedot.lv, will be redirected to Ukraine –for humanitarian, medical, defence and pet aid. The campaign will run for two more weeks, giving people who missed the concerts the opportunity to donate to Ukraine, which is especially important after the terrorist destruction of the Kahovkahydroelectric power plant. Everyone can still continue to donate here: www.ziedot.lv/osokina-brivibas-festivals.

On Tuesday, 13 June, a convoy will leave from the square in front of the Congress House for Ukraine to deliver the meal kits and thermal imaging cameras that have already been purchased with funds donated during the Festival to the war-torn areas and flood victims.

“While the war is still going on, blood is still being shed, innocent people are still dying, war crimes are still being committed and evils incompatible with humanity are still taking place, our task is to continue to support Ukraine just as powerfully, to show its people that we are with them even in the most difficult and darkest moments and will do everything to end the war as soon as possible with a Ukrainian victory. Let our support be an important signal to other countries, an incentive to strengthen our assistance to the people and soldiers of Ukraine to achieve our common dream and give a bright future to the next generations! I am extremely grateful to all the audience and donors for their overwhelming support, as this year’s Festival has already raised more donations than last year. It is urgently needed right now, with the counter-attack and the terrorist explosion of the Kakhovka HPP,” says Andrejs Osokins.

This is the fourth year of pianist Andrejs Osokins Freedom Festival, which for the second year has been dedicated to Ukraine and its people. This year, the Festival and its launch events have taken place in Riga and Valmiera for more than a month. It included a wide range of concerts, masterclasses, conversations about current events, special meetings of the Festival musicians with Ukrainian families, charity actions and other events. It brought together Latvian and Ukrainian musicians, actors, artists and other professionals, renowned in Latvia and abroad, including “Labvēlīgais Tips”, “Melo-M”, Ralfs Eilands, Katrīna Gupalo, “Kremerata Lettonica”, Sonora Vaice, Ieva Parša, Edgars Ošleja, Platons Buravickis, Gundars Āboliņš, Dita Lūriņa, Laura Čaupale, Ģirts Krūmiņš, piano quartet “Quadra”, Kristīne Garklāva, Kristīne Rudzinska, Mārtiņš Daugulis, pianists Andrejs Osokins, Dmitry Volkov, Iveta Cālīte, Georgijs Osokins, musicians, artists and actors from Ukraine and many others.

The creative team of the Festival would like to thank all the supporters and partners who made it possible for the Festival to be so ambitious and diverse – Riga City Council, TC Spice and Spice Home, LNK Industries, LNK Charity Foundation, philanthropist Dmitry Volkov, Valmiera County Council, Embassy of Ukraine in Latvia, Confederation of Ukrainian Societies “Viche”, Ziedot.lv, “Biļešu Paradīze”, “Tavi draugi” association, all Festival venues, sound and lighting companies, media and many others.

Photographer: Jānis Romanovskis @gribuvasaru.lv

Singer and songwriter ‘Taurud’ from Latvia release a new song

‘Taurud’ latest work ‘My Gold’ is the second single leading up to his EP.

‘We have nothing to lose – simply creating music that excites us. I am a lot less afraid to go and look for new sounds in musical areas where I never went before. At the same time, I am singing about stuff that most people will relate to. This time it is all about the truth. There is something hidden in this world ,and that secret presence creates a lot of suffering. The song is about not losing yourself ,nevertheless’ explains ‘Taurud’.

The music and lyrics are written by ‘Taurud’. The record was made in collaboration with an incredible young producer from Manchester Sean Rogan (Spotify – Sean Rogan).

‘Taurud’ songs have previously rotated on Latvian radio stations, won the Radio SWH competition ‘Priekšnams’ and debuted on TV. This summer musician is actively performing in the UK and working on the EP ,and later this year is planning to visit his home Latvia to perform in Riga and Jurmala.

“Taurenīt?” is released today, on July 11. This song is about a summer romance and was created in close collaboration with Būū

“I met Būū for the first time in February 2022, during the concert “Latvian rap against the war in Ukraine”. I didn’t know when and how, but I knew that one day we will work together because I ‘caught’ Būū vibe right away ” says Raiens. Būū added that she rarely collaborate on songs and even more rarely sing about romantic love, but on “Taurenīt?” she managed to get both of those ticks in effortlessly. “Raiens is young, determined artist, driven by good goals, bright thoughts and love” she says.

The production and mastering team behind single “Taurenīt?” are Kristaps Hļevickis and Marks Spruģevics. 

Spotify

Indie pop project “Funkinbiz” from Riga releases a song in Ukrainian

Indie pop project Funkinbiz, in collaboration with music producer Mārcis Vasiļevskis, makes their debut with the song “Tini – shadows,” an exciting single from upcoming album performed in Ukrainian language. The song is already available on all major music streaming platforms. Link – https://ffm.to/tini

The title of the song, “Tini,” symbolizes the shadows of love that touch us and linger even after we have experienced the joy of love at least once. The song is particularly fitting for moments when we introspect, travel, dream, love, and express romantic feelings.

The track was recorded at the “Laimes telpa” studio, in collaboration with talented musicians: drummer Dairis Petrauskis, and bass guitarist Toms Kursītis. The post-production was done by Toms Lisments, while the final sound processing was carried out by Robb Robinson from California, known for his collaboration with the renowned artist Jason Mraz.

The song was written by Kirils Ponomarenko, also known as Funkinbiz, who is the songwriter and performer from Latvia. Coming from the breakdance and hip-hop culture, he combines various contemporary elements in his music. Born in Riga, Funkinbiz embarked on his musical journey by learning classical guitar from Armenian guitar master Vaak Kjurdjian. This training inspired his love for music and laid the foundation for his unique style. Funkinbiz further developed his skills at the prestigious Žoržs Siksnas School of Opera, specializing in vocal techniques and expanding his musical horizons.

In 2022, while experimenting with music and participating in exclusive events, Funkinbiz teamed up with music producer and multi-instrumentalist Mārcis Vasiļevskis (Laime Pilnīga, Samanta Tīna, Ralfs Eilands). They collaborated at the “Laimes Telpa” studio with like-minded professionals to create an album.

The main source of inspiration for this project is the power of love, which is employed with the hope of fostering connections between people.

Foto – Miks Uzans

 

“Vultura” releases a new song-single called “ŠĶEL”

Vultura released her debut album “Not Your Typical Fairytale” on April 28 last year, which received wide media attention (TVNET, TV3, DELFI, LSM, IR.LV, etc.) and radio (RadioNABA, Pieci.lv, SWH, etc.). The album is known as a musical manifesto of Latvian electronic music and industry, which also won the 2-year awards of the Music Recording “Zelta Mikrofons” as the best debut album and the best electronic music album in 2023. She also still works in tandem with producer Mark1 Records (Marks Poikāns (22)).
The nearest Vultura concerts in July, the “Hurts” band’s concert as a warm-up artist at the  “Siguldas pilsdrupu estrādē” (July 26).
The nearest Vultura concerts in August are the “Laba Daba” festival (August 4), “Sīpolfestival” in Vietvalži (August 20).
On July 11, a new song-single called “ŠĶEL” was released, which is the third song in Latvian. Still keeping her promise to release songs in Latvian. The song was composed in the electronic music genres “Drum’n’Bass” and “Jungle”, as well as in the manner of “Hip-Hop”. Still maintaining her signature genre-blending style, Vultura created the track with her producer Mark1Records.

Also, for this song, Vultura decided to give the listeners a slightly different listening experience by creating a music video containing the lyrics of the song, or commonly called a “Lyric” video, created in 3D and animated by Daniela Lākute. For the first time in Vultura’s repertoire, such a video has been created, where the listener can very simply learn the words while listening to the song itself. Compared to other music streaming platforms, YouTube is the only place where is the “Long” version of the song “ŠĶEL” has been created, specially created as a follow-up to the song “Noliec Ziedus”, which was released by Vultura last December.
“The song is about staying authentic and remembering what’s important, no matter how successful you are. Maybe a bit banal, but we really tend to forget ourselves halfway somewhere, or stumble on the same mistakes. Then you have to turn the picture back, remember, and ask yourself who I am and who I still want to be. The song is also about the fact that in reality what you manifest and want to do, achieve, see, love will happen, as long as you work on it, you must remember that you must not let yourself burn out. And those who will try to stop you and trip you up, just don’t listen and react.
Annijas wish with this song, in which, as usual, brutally everything is said between the words – keep your circle of people small who have similar goals and desires in this life as you.”
The song was produced by producer Mark1 Records (Marks Poikans). The visual identity of the song was created by Daniela Lākute (3D).
Photo: Aksels Bergs (AkselsShotIt)

Andrejs Osokins announces his only solo concert in Riga and concerts in Latvia this year

Andrejs Osokins will be giving a variety of concerts in Riga, Ventspils, Daugavpils and elsewhere in Latvia this summer and autumn. These will include solo concerts, the programme “Three Osokins” with his father Sergejs and brother Georgijs Osokins at Dzintari Concert Hall in Jurmala, the poetic concert “Dreams about the Piano” with Chulpan Hamatova in Daugavpils and others.

On 30 September at 19.00, the Blackheads’ House will host a solo concert by Andrejs Osokins, dedicated to the composer Frederic Chopin, which has so far been performed in various halls in Latvia and Estonia, but not in Riga. The programme includes  favourite miniatures by Chopin – waltzes, mazurkas and etudes, as well as large-form works – ballades and polonaises. Andrejs Osokins will play the concert programme on a new Yamaha CFX concert grand piano brought from Germany, which will be heard for the first time in Latvia and perfectly intoned and tuned for this concert by Shunsuke Yokoyama from Japan. Andrejs Osokins has a special connection with this instrument, as he was one of the world-renowned pianists involved in its creation. Each of them had the opportunity to play prototypes of the instrument at Yamaha’s offices in Vienna and Hamburg, to evaluate their sound and to suggest improvements for further development.

Andrejs Osokins says: “This concert will be very special for me, both because I will be playing my Chopin concerto at the Blackheads’ House, where the atmosphere is very luxurious but at the same time intimate, which I have loved during the last two Osokins Freedom Festivals, and because I will be performing it on the new Yamaxa CFX grand piano, which I can always rely on. The colourful and romantically varied sound of this instrument, which aptly matches Chopin’s genius music, allows for a very emotionally saturated program. It will be the music that Chopin wrote in exile, where he found himself after the Tsarist Russia attacked Warsaw, and it expresses his deep love for his motherland, which I think connects perfectly with our times, when countless Ukrainians have had to flee their country as refugees because of Russian aggression.”


At the very beginning of autumn, on 16 September at 16.00, Andrejs Osokins will return, after a long break, to the Ventspils Concert Hall “Latvija” with a concert programme dedicated to the composer Ferenc Liszt – his work, personality and life. During the concert, the pianist will also play Liszt’s music on the unique vertical piano of the Concert Hall “Latvija”.

On 21 July, Andrejs Osokins’s virtuoso piano playing will be heard at the Jurmala Festival in the Dzintari Concert Hall, where this year’s only Osokin dynasty concert “Three Osokins” will take place, with Andrejs performing together with his father Sergejs and brother Georgijs Osokins. On 24 August, the concert programme “Dreams of the Piano” with actress Chulpan Hamatova will take place at the Unity House in Daugavpils, and on 14 October, the pianist will give a solo concert “Osokins to Liszt” at the Madona Culture House.

Tickets for the concerts are available at the “Biļešu Paradīze” box office and online at www.bilesuparadize.lv.

Vultura releases a new song-single called “ŠĶEL”

On July 11, a new song-single called “ŠĶEL” was released, which is the third song in Latvian. Still keeping her promise to release songs in Latvian. The song was composed in the electronic music genres “Drum’n’Bass” and “Jungle”, as well as in the manner of “Hip-Hop”. Still maintaining her signature genre-blending style, Vultura created the track with her producer Mark1Records.
Also, for this song, Vultura decided to give the listeners a slightly different listening experience by creating a music video containing the lyrics of the song, or commonly called a “Lyric” video, created in 3D and animated by Daniela Lākute. For the first time in Vultura’s repertoire, such a video has been created, where the listener can very simply learn the words while listening to the song itself. Compared to other music streaming platforms, YouTube is the only place where is the “Long” version of the song “ŠĶEL” has been created, specially created as a follow-up to the song “Noliec Ziedus”, which was released by Vultura last December.

“The song is about staying authentic and remembering what’s important, no matter how successful you are. Maybe a bit banal, but we really tend to forget ourselves halfway somewhere, or stumble on the same mistakes. Then you have to turn the picture back, remember, and ask yourself who I am and who I still want to be. The song is also about the fact that in reality what you manifest and want to do, achieve, see, love will happen, as long as you work on it, you must remember that you must not let yourself burn out. And those who will try to stop you and trip you up, just don’t listen and react.

Spotify

Annijas wish with this song, in which, as usual, brutally everything is said between the words – keep your circle of people small who have similar goals and desires in this life as you.”
The song was produced by producer Mark1 Records (Marks Poikans). The visual identity of the song was created by Daniela Lākute (3D).
Photo: Aksels Bergs (AkselsShotIt)
Vultura released her debut album “Not Your Typical Fairytale” on April 28 last year, which received wide media attention (TVNET, TV3, DELFI, LSM, IR.LV, etc.) and radio (RadioNABA, Pieci.lv, SWH, etc.). The album is known as a musical manifesto of Latvian electronic music and industry, which also won the 2-year awards of the Music Recording “Zelta Mikrofons” as the best debut album and the best electronic music album in 2023. She also still works in tandem with producer Mark1 Records (Marks Poikāns (22)).
The nearest Vultura concerts in July, the “Hurts” band’s concert as a warm-up artist at the  “Siguldas pilsdrupu estrādē” (July 26).
The nearest Vultura concerts in August are the “Laba Daba” festival (August 4), “Sīpolfestival” in Vietvalži (August 20).

Latvian hard rockers REBEL RIOT releasing a new single and music video

Rebel Riot is one of the leading hard rock bands in Latvia. While still at work on a new album, they are releasing their latest single Mad Rebel with a music video on July 17 available on all major social platforms like Spotify, YouTube etc.

Mad Rebel is a classy fast paced hard ‘n’ heavy track outbursting a message: ‘Listen to yourself what you wish instead what others say!’ Rebel Riot threw a party at their headquarters and filmed the music video. A separate artwork was made for Mad Rebel just like for the two previous singles.

Spotify

Chris Noah announces a musical evening at “Tu jau zini kur” (You Know Where)

The talented local musician and internationally acclaimed songwriter Chris Noah invites listeners to a solo performance at the cultural space “Tu jau zini kur.” (You Know Where) on September 28. This beloved meeting place in the Tallin Street Quarter of Riga will resound with new music from the artist as well.

The program will feature Chris Noah’s most popular pieces (Sunboy, Only Yours, Spark, Fall Through), as well as melodies that have received less airplay but hold a special place in the musician’s heart. Additionally, the audience will have the opportunity to appreciate entirely new and unheard of musical creations.

“This is a special moment in my career that I want to celebrate among friends,” says Chris. “There is much beauty behind me and even more ahead, so I invite everyone to pause for a bit, stay in the moment and spend a beautiful fall evening together. This year, I have been actively working on new material, and I can’t wait to perform it to my guests.”

Chris Noah is a singer and songwriter highly regarded both within the local and international music scene. Throughout his career, he has released several successful singles that have entered various radio charts, and has been nominated for multiple “Zelta Mikrofons” awards, including Best Debut, Best Pop Music Recording, and Song of the Year. Since 2022, Chris Noah is signed to Sony Music Entertainment, which also represents stars such as Adele, Robbie Williams, Beyoncé, and Måneskin. As a songwriter, has also achieved success in the Eurovision Song Contest; this year the song “Stay”, written in collaboration with the Latvian producer JJ Lush and performed by Monika Linkite, represented Lithuania and took and impressive 11th place in the competition’s grand final in Liverpool.

This will be the musician’s first full-scale concert in Riga this year.
Tickets available at ekase.lv.