Category: News

Single comes out just a few days before Valentine’s day and is dedicated to so-called “ghosting”. Ghosted is the third single of BAIBAS upcoming EP ‘Compulsive’ which will be released this spring.

In her latest song, the Latvian electro-pop artist BAIBA, who lives in Austria, tells about various experiences in the search for the other half – both joys and unpleasant moments, through humor and satire. Song is about “ghosting” – when one person decides to end the relationship without notifying the other.

Through a good dose of self-irony, catchy and rhythmic tunes, the musician has turned this phenomenon into a powerful manifesto for everyone who has ever encountered it – it is not worth looking for the culprits, but it is important to say goodbye with respect.

“Making this piece of music and video for it has changed my perspective on the topic a lot,” says Baiba, “Speaking with people that both have been ghosted and/or have ghosted someone, the only true reminder is – as unpleasant as it may be – a little communication goes a long way and can save one feelings of guilt and anxiety and for the other party sleepless nights of self doubt and insecurities. It’s a matter of respect for the time spent together.”

Song on Spotify

About BAIBA:
BAIBA [real name Baiba Dēķena] is a Latvian electro-pop solo artist living in Austria. She actively produces music, performs and teaches music production master classes for girls.

After releasing two albums in 2017 and 2021, she is currently working on a new EP

“Compulsive”, which will be released in the spring of 2023. “Compulsive” will be a satirical, direct and multi-faceted work. It is known that at the beginning of August, BAIBA will finally perform in Latvia, at the music and art festival “LABA DABA”.

Musician Zelma Jēgere (VIŅA) has released her third solo album “Diamond dust” on March 1st, but this time with a new sound and stage name – Zelma. The album “Diamond dust” consists of 7 songs written in English over the last 3 years. Many different musicians were involved in the making of the album, each with their own style and sound – Oriole, Kashuks, Arturs Liede, Andis Ansons, Andrjus Jaņuns, Kapteinis Reinis, Andris Buiķis, Oskars Ozoliņš, Erna Daugaviete, Matthias Herberg and Marvin Langner from Germany, Rūdolfs Ozols, Valters Sprūdžs and Ralfs Eilands. The songs on the album sometimes contrast with each other, which is a characteristic feature of Zelma’s previous solo albums.

“The time during which this album was created, to tell the truth, was full of painful experiences . Almost throughout 2021, I had to focus more on my mental health and well-being, so there was very little time and motivation for music. The very first songs that were written (“Blue”, “How”) are quite gloomy and depressive. I was quite sure that the whole album would be in similar tones, but slowly, as I regained my joy of life and passion, a few songs also gained some positive tones. I am extremely grateful to all the people who have been part of my support team both musically and emotionally in the process of creating this album. I know that many of my listeners have been longing for a new album from VIŅA in Latvian, and I can whisper that I have already started working on it in parallel.” That’s what Zelma says about the album.

The visual design of the album was created by artist Sandis Mūrnieks using charcoal on canvas. The album is available on all streaming platforms starting from March 1st.”

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Latvian musician Kristiāns Laizāns launches a new alternative country project “Red Lung” and releases his debut EP “Sleepless”. The album consists of five tracks, which also includes the single “Baby Lightning” released this January.

“The story of “Sleepless” EP began during the beginning of the pandemic along with the first chords of “Baby Lightning” that I captured on my phone while working in my bedroom. Initially, I didn’t expect to release even a single track, but as soon as “4 AM” arrived, I began to feel that this could become a modest but sweet collection of compositions created during some of my insomniac nights. I certainly don’t wish to glorify sleep deprivation, but I felt that it would be more than appropriate to name the album “Sleepless” considering the subject matter and what it took to write the songs,” says Kristiāns.

“When it comes to the themes and content of the songs, I think they are all well connected by their narrative nature. The tracks are like lullabies for adults or small etudes for anyone who could associate themselves to the protagonist or at least an observer,” adds Kristiāns.

The EP came to being in several phases, combining the five tracks recorded over the last few years, including “Baby Lightning” which was released in January. Several musicians from a multitude of other projects participated in the recording of the album: Alise Golovacka (backing vocals, flute), Monta Sleže-Zaļkalne (violin), Oskars Jansons (guitar), Rūdolfs Ozols (guitar), Jānis Steķis (bass guitar), Kalvis Sležis-Zaļkalns (drums) , Rūdolfs Daņiļevičs (drums). The album was recorded, mixed and mastered, as well as produced by Edvards Broders (Broders Audio) at “Red House” studio in Riga, Latvia.

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Kristiāns first introduced himself to the music scene as the leader of the progressive/indie rock band “Be Reet” (2013-2017). Later, under the stage name “Tavs Puisis”, he began performing as a regular DJ, gave several acoustic concerts, released the single “Hang of This” in the summer of 2020 and later the single “Baby Lightning” in January 2023.

While “Sudden Lights” is actively preparing for the international Eurovision Song Contest, and ZeBrene is dreaming up his next hits, the producer association YDJ, teaming up with producer and DJ Rodion Gordin, has created a remix version of the duo’s song “Pasaule trīc”. 

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Last year during his final term of music studies in the UK, musician and drummer Kārlis Roberts Kalējs as the final portfolio wrote a solo album, where each track is composed and arranged entirely on drums. The aim was to experiment with the ability to make music, not just rhythms. Ode to Becoming is also the artist’s debut album. Previously, the musician has worked on various different projects internationally as a drummer and a producer, and continues to do it now after returning back to Latvia.

Ode to Becoming is a dialogue with drums. “Usually when making music with other people, I communicate through the drums, whereas with this project I wanted to gain a deeper, much more personal connection with the instrument and learn how to communicate with the drums themselves” the artist says. Drum solo albums are rare and in Latvia Ode to Becoming is the first of its kind.

The album is a diverse yet cohesive and meditative sonic journey. Inspired by countless jazz drummers and experimental improvisation, in his compositions, the musician uses different drum kit setups, extended techniques and various effects. Throughout the album there are tracks where Kārlis layers different elements, plays melodies or simply makes it groove. For some compositions he restricts himself and makes something very minimalistic; for some – quite the opposite. For the best listening experience, a part of the artist’s vision is to encourage people to take a break from everyday rush and listen to the album on headphones in one continuous take without doing anything else. Ode to Becoming is available on all major streaming platforms.

Composed and performed by Kārlis Roberts Kalējs
Recorded by James Coates
Mixed by James Coates and Kārlis Roberts Kalējs
Produced by James Coates and Kārlis Roberts Kalējs
Mastered by James Coates
Artwork by Terēze Brence
Photos by Vivian Almas
Creative director: Tīna Alise Drupa

Zambian guitarist Katuta Sichilongo after listening to the album: “I loved the variety of themes expressed and picked up a wonderful juxtaposition between form and freedom – what they mean and what they could mean. The production was top tier… There were some sounds in there that I imagined were not typical part of the drumkit but added astounding beauty.”
“I had never worked on anything like this before. When Kārlis first got in touch with me, his vision about the album very intrigued me and the whole process has been just an incredible experience.” Sound engineer James Coates describes his collaboration with Kārlis.
Ode to Becoming creative director Tīna Alise Drupa: “The concept and the execution of the album inspired me. It broadened my perspective about the drums as a musical instrument.”
Terēze Brence, who worked on the artwork, describes the album as a unique experience: “It’s so enjoyable and interesting! I have a feeling that I’m listening to some kind of traveller telling me about his adventures.”

What happens when you couple a virtuoso jazz pianist with a curiosity for synths, warm analog sounds and an appetite for beats? Artis Boris will answer exactly that question. The newest signee of Funk Embassy Recs makes a strong entry into the scene currently habitated by Dam Funk, Temu, Dan Kye and XL Middleton.

“Can You Dance?” is the first single lifted from the forthcoming début EP “Easy Living.” Asking the question in a hauntingly beautiful manner is the freshly crowned “Female Artist of the Year” – Rita Ray. Piercing vocals are backed by layers of synths, experimental sounds and a deep bass line. Artis Boris brings along dancefloor appeal that makes this a sure shot for g-funk DJs and future funk fanatics alike.

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“Fantastic modern funk infused dancefloor slapper with silky smooth vocals”  – Walla P, Funktastique Voyage

“Nice party starter from Artis Boris, excellent production all around.” – Paul Murphy, Leng Records

Krisy and well-known producer Tablis release their newest single “Love Is Underrated”

The best-known Latvian jazzfunk band Very Cool People released a live album Woodstock’s Renaissance dedicated to the heydays of Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix and The Doors. It was made together with Latvian pop singer Aija Andrejeva.

The concept of Woodstock’s Renaissance was born in 2020, when Very Cool People together with Aija Andrejeva performed at the international improvisation, jazz and global music festival Rīgas Ritmi. A concert program dedicated to Janis Joplin was presented there. It was later supplemented with songs by Jimi Hendrix and The Doors and became Woodstock’s Renaissance.

The new program was presented in April 2022 in the theater of Liepāja, a coastal town in Latvia. The recording of this album was also made there. The program has already been performed in many powerful concerts both in Latvia and abroad.

“Very Cool People are the real music hooligans with whom to realize a program like Woodstock’s Renaissance”, says singer Aija Andrejeva. “I feel like a fish in water with this band, because it is such a good hooliganism in combination with high professionalism, enormous work capacity and also unfathomable love for stage and studio work.”

Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix and Jim Morrison have made an indelible impact on 20th and 21st century music – rock, jazz, even contemporary music. Therefore, the new program is not only entertaining, but also educational. With its help, younger listeners are getting to know legendary compositions, but older ones – remembering youth and, yes, the sex revolution!

The band members Elvijs Grafcovs, Māris Jēkabsons and Andris Buiķis has created a contemporary and exciting arrangements of songs by Joplin, Hendrix and Morrison for their jazz-funk octet together with the singer Aija Andrejeva who also has a strong emotional connection with the performed songs.

“Janis Joplin was a prill, an absolute person of senses, wrong in everything she did, because she did it with her heart and against the system”, says Aija. “When I was a little girl, I started to listen to Janis and fell in love with her, her voice and her personality. Thanks to Janis, I realized how unimportant really external image is, because music and story speaks above all else.”

Very Cool People are: Oskars Ozoliņš – trumpet, Māris Jēkabsons – tenor saxophone, Laura Rozenberga – trombone, Kristaps Lubovs – baritone saxophone, Elvijs Grafcovs – guitar, Māris Vitkus – keyboards, Jānis Olekšs – bass, Andris Buiķis – drums.

In the Woodstock’s Renaissance concert program, the group’s trombonist Laura Rozenberga also presents herself as another solo vocalist, while additional vocals were sung by Zane Biķe and Antra Krūmiņa. The album’s bonus track Mercedes Benz was recorded at a concert in the Latvian town of Sigulda, and Roberts Martini played the tenor saxophone in this track.

The new album was produced by Elvijs Grafcovs, mixed by Artūrs Sedriks Sinkevičs and mastered by Jānis Kalve from Labo Ierakstu Studio. It can be heard on major music streaming services and is also released in CD format, designed by Mārtiņš Legzdiņš.