After a break of several years, the group Sudden Lights have released a song in English with the Latvian title “Aijā”. The song fuses the anxiety surrounding us with a soothing lullaby. “Aijā” was written last summer as the group’s response to the events going in the world, so it is a lullaby for ourselves and a raging world.

“Aijā” is among the songs taking part in the Supernova competition, whose winner will be awarded the right to represent Latvia at Eurovision.

“”Aijā” is a lullaby. And, in my opinion, the lullaby is the most beautiful and loving form of music. Witnessing the dark events in the world and people’s lives ruined by evil, we could not remain indifferent. That’s how the song came to be performed in English – it is our attempt to comfort everybody who is hurt by the events going on around us. The title of the song is in our native language – synonymous with the mood of a Latvian folk song – and is a word that’s impossible to translate,” says Sudden Lights soloist Andrejs Reinis Zitmanis, explaining the song’s meaning.

The song is accompanied by a video directed by Tom Harjo. Explaining the idea for the video, he says: “Based on the song’s musical message about anxiety and yearning for peace, visually we addressed the relationship between people and their fears. The fear of fear often turns out to be more frightening than the thing we fear. If we can learn to accept our fears and live with them, then we can realize that their main job is to protect us.”

Ieva Kerevica has come out with a brand new music album “Romance”

Well, known Latvian music artist Ieva Kerevica has come out with a brand new music album “Romance”. The album has come to life together with label company Musica Baltica. This is the third solo album from the artist. The first was “Heritage” Vol.1(2020) with Latvian folklore arrangement, followed by the album “Centerwise: (2020) which consists of world music. Latest one is “Romance” (2023), and it’s her own original music album.

Ieva is a wide-profile artist, with an active career in a few Latvian theatres where she works as a vocal teacher with actors, singers, and other professionals.

In 2022 she was taking part in the world music festival “Porta” with her second album “Centerwise”.

The last album “Romance” has come to daylight from being inspired by close people’s stories and from her own life experiences. Love towards pop jazz, soul music, blues, and guitar music has put a beautiful cherry on top to finish this album and bring it to the listeners.
This wouldn’t have happened without the amazing and well-known team from the Latvian Jazz field and instrumental artists.
Madars Kalnins (Piano)
Norberts Skraucis (Contrabass)
Artis Orubs  (Drums)
Janis Kalnins (Guitar)
Atis Zviedris (Vocal Guest Artist)

Reinis Karklins (Sound Designer)
Record Studio ” AlejaRecords”

Pure gratitude goes towards KKF (Latvian Culture Capital Fonds) for support and involvement in this project.

The hooligans of classical music DAGAMBA return with a new concert program “Bach Against the Machine” and announces an epic concert on June 3, 2023, at Mežaparka Lielā Estrāde

In the new concert program, DAGAMBA has fused influences of the father of classical music, the great composer Johann Sebastian Bach and one of the most influential rock bands in the world “Rage Against The Machine” to create unique and powerful music. Together with the news the band releases a new video “Killing In the Name Of Bach”, where the band has brought the bring the great composer back to life in almost a physical form, resulting in an ambitious meeting of the two worlds – the modern world and the Baroque era.
“The idea for BACH AGAINST THE MACHINE came to us after the successful concerts of program #LudwigVanRammstein. In the context of world events, we felt that this was the right time to realize the idea. The music of the great artists of different centuries requires a great scope, both sonically and visually, so we will be happy to bring this musical collaboration of great spirits to the audience at the beginning of the summer on the magnificent Mežaparks Lielā Estrāde, which is also a symbol of our freedom and the unity of the people”, says the bands’ founder, Valters Pūce.
The concert, which will perfectly mark the beginning of the open-air concert season, will feature DAGAMBA’s new concert program and all-time favorite compositions.

Indie rock artist Jannsi releases five-song EP “For the Underdog”

Indie artist Jannsi (Jānis Uplejs) has released a five-song EP titled “For the Underdog”. The songs feature elements of indie rock, pop, and rap.

Jannsi is a 29-year-old graphic designer and pastor of an inclusive church in his daily life, and the EP is a reflection of his experience. “These songs are a reminder that life is full of different experiences, and it is important to find the strength not to get lost in it,” says Jannsi.

The mini-album starts with “(Not Made For) Life Alone”, an energetic indie anthem about a person’s need for others. “For the Underdog” is an encouragement for the marginalized not to be afraid and to resist societal pressure. “Don’t Look Back” is an encouragement to move forward even if others don’t understand it, while “Like You Always Do” is a song about unhappy love that Jannsi wrote back in high school. The mini-album ends with the song “Every Tear Will Dry” – a dedication to a friend who was lost to suicide.

Jannsi considers Twenty One Pilots, Shipsea, Laika Suns, Mike Shinoda, The White Stripes, and Nothing But Thieves to be his most important musical influences. He has previously released three singles and one EP.

The mini-album was recorded by Jannsi himself in his home studio, and the mixing and mastering of the song “Don’t Look Back” was done by Jānis Locs. “For the Underdog” is available on all popular music streaming services.

Taran & Lomov released the collaborative EP with the musician and painter Agat from Riga

After two powerful releases on Josh Wink’s Ovum Recordings Taran & Lomov are back to their home label Amber Muse. They deliver a collaborative EP recorded with Latvian artist Agat, with a remix by techno producer Ksenia Kamikaza. The EP has a dark and abstract vibe that blends a dystopian atmosphere and raw percussion with analog synths.

“Lost Memories” is the first of the two originals, and it opens the release with stuttered vocals and a throbbing bassline that’s rich with sub-bass. Ksenia Kamikaza’s remix of “Lost Memories” is next on the release and it’s a brutal rework with heavy industrial percussion and tantalizing suspense. “Raum” is the second of the two originals, and it closes the EP with its blend of rattling percussion layered with spine-tingling synth pads.

The release is out now via Amber Muse records and is available from main online stores and streaming platforms.

Rapper Ivans Baigais of the hip hop group “Kreisais Krasts” releases a solo album “Ceļojums uz Rajonu” (“Journey to the Hood”)

Along with the album, a video for the title track has also been released. The album includes sixteen songs and five skits.
Rappers among the guest artists: Pionieris, ansis and Elfs.  Music recording and mix/ master by Kaizers. Music for the album is produced by Latvian beatmakers: Kaizers, trakamelodija, udesbeats, SilinsBeats, dzii, Birch Please and Veiders.

Singer and songwriter Niklāss sings about the fairies

The young Latvian pop music performer Niklās starts a new month with a new composition. In the song “Laumiņu nakts” he sings about mythical creatures, which, as many believe, can protect us from misfortunes.

Niklāss says: “The new song is about magical summer nights. I wrote it during a retreat in Saulkrasti, sitting by the fire under an illuminated apple tree. Night is my favorite part of the day. You know that feeling when you feel like someone is watching you when you’re outside at night? I truly believe they are fairies. This is the story of the fairies who take care of our joy and quietly watch over us. I felt a lot more that night and that’s why I called it night of fairies. I wish everyone to experience that!”

Niklas started his career as a musician only last spring, releasing his debut single “Seši vēji” (eng. – “Six winds) in cooperation with “MicRec” publishing house. It was followed by the song “Lēti and Naivi” (eng. – “Cheap and Naive”). During this time, the singer has participated in several charity concerts and continues to actively develop his music career.

The video of the new song was made by Kaspars Rudzītis (Dween Productions), and the song was produced in the studio by the experienced Gints Stankevičs.

On February 10, Niklāss will perform with the concert program “Feelings” in the hall of Vārme elementary school. At the concert, you will hear the already mentioned songs, as well as unreleased compositions. There will also be special guests and the artist promises a great atmosphere.

“Night of the Pixies” on streaming platforms.

B OPTIMIST release their fifth studio album „Gaiteņi”

On December 6, rock trio B OPTIMIST release their fifth studio album „Gaiteņi”. It features 11 original songs written over the past two years.

„Gaiteņi” is like a road with different twists and turns of life that everyone is roaming to get to their destination; it is a labyrinth of life – a place for new opportunities and turning points.

The musical core of the album was created at the beginning of 2020 in two creative sessions. This time, the band used more electronics, experimenting with synthesized sounds, but at the same time keeping the sound and attitude of rock music. The album was recorded in B OPTIMIST studio, mixed and mastered by Valters Levins, produced by B OPTIMIST, music and lyrics: B OPTIMIST, album cover photo: Gatis Levins. From December 6, the album is available on streaming platforms.

Album on Spotify

Album on other streaming platforms

This year, three singles were released from the album “Gaiteņi” with music videos: “Akvareļos”, “Mēles” and “Tie būsim mēs”. Previously, the band has released four albums: their debut album “B OPTIMIST”, EP “Kopā”, “Visur skan”, as well as an acoustic album with Latvian folk song words “Turpinies!”.

B OPTIMIST play energetic and emotional rock music in Latvian since 2013. B OPTIMIST are: Valters Levins on vocals and guitar, Linards Liepa on bass guitar and backing vocals, and Roberts Levins on drums. Their music is available on Spotify, Bandcamp, iTunes, Youtube, etc.

osiits releases a new song “sitcoms are my favorite tv shows”

The song tells a story about the urge to rewatch the same tv shows over and over again. I often feel like a background in social interactions. All I do is listen. No one really asks me about my hobbies, interests and what genuinely goes on in my life. I don’t think that anyone really cares anyways.
Many situations have proven this fact and with every new situation I feel like I drift away from the willingness of wanting to interact with people more and more. I hope that I won’t zone myself out completely one day.

Song is not particularly about my friends, but people in general (that are in my day to day life). I simply compensate for that feeling of “incomplete” by rewatching my favorite tv shows. They just make me feel good, make me feel accepted. “I think that they don’t even know my favorite tv shows” is a statement to all of those people. That they don’t really know anything about me. Those tv shows are a huge part of me and if anyone ever wonders – the song’s title is the answer.