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.
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.
Latvian musician and composer Aija Alsiņa has released a composition every month for the year 2022, featuring the wonderful photos of photographer and TV personality Kristīne Garklāva on the cover. On December 9th, the final track of this project “Lightness” is released, for which a music video clip was also made.
The idea for the project was created this January of this year, and while looking for owners of beautiful pictures with whom she could collaborate, Aija approached Kristine, who had already gotten to know Aija’s music beforehand and gladly agreed to participate in the project. Work on the series of compositions began in February, and starting from March, a piece was published every month. The track “Collecting Memories”, released in July, has been extremely successful and has been played more than a million times on Spotify.
On December 9th, 2022, the final piece of this project, “Lightness”, is released, recorded together with the string quartet NŌNA, with whom Aija has had a great collaboration before. A music video was also made for the piece. It was shot by the director Marcis Šeners and features the dancer Melania Linda Muskare. The video is released on the same day and can be viewed on Aija Alsiņa’s YouTube channel.
The story is about Christmas gone wrong. Maybe we can learn from the mistakes our story heroes have made… or maybe not.
We met “Taurud” with songs like “I Keep Loving You”, “I’ve Been Carrying My Past Lives With Me” and “Night Sky”. After a creative break, the artist is back with a new track “Without Your Light”. It is available today on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, and all major streaming services.
This time the overall sound is a little different, folkier, and seemingly more positive. Nevertheless, the dreamy feel and heartfelt vocal delivery are still there. The song is about the feeling of drifting apart, bittersweet sadness, and yet true togetherness, love, and care. “Taurud” is working with talented musicians from Manchester, and an up-and-coming producer Sean Rogan (Spotify Sean Rogan). This collaboration is set to continue to record an EP and later a whole album. The song is written by “Taurud”.
Artist says that the last year has been a road of discovery of who he really is, why he is on the current path, and now is ready for a creative leap forward. “I was hiding for quite some time. I still wrote songs and met people I wanted to collaborate with but wasn’t going out there to show any of my work to anyone. I needed to redefine what my purpose in music was. Now I simply want to do it to give something beautiful to everyone and to make this world a better place. No attachments to money, success, attention, or anything like that. Just pure creativity. This song is about my love for every human on the earth.”
The musicians plans to release another single in spring, followed by an EP, album, and concerts in Riga and Jurmala. “Taurud” is actively participating in Manchester’s music scene. He’s hoping to return to his home country in spring with a new song and video.
Latvian singer-songwriter Chris Noah releases his new single, ‘Only Yours’ via Sony Music Finland & Baltics. It is the second offering from Chris’ sophomore EP ‘Red Light’ set for release on November 4th. ‘Only Yours’ follows the success of Noah’s first single under the label – ‘Sunboy’ – which peaked at #21 in radio airplay charts in his home country, Latvia. Along with some blistering post-lockdown live performances, the release sees Noah reconnecting with a dedicated fanbase.
The new single ‘Only Yours’, produced by Kristofer Harris (Bears Den, Belle and Sebastian, etc), is an up-tempo and immediate indie-pop track laced with bubbling guitars and synth textures, neatly arranged to showcase Chris Noah’s assertive vocals.
“I think all of us have gone through a phase in our life where we realise that we have to leave someone or something behind in order to start over. There’s a lot to say goodbye to, a lot of good, therefore we tend to romanticise the past,” Chris says. “We can get delusional, which can lead to us questioning our own decisions, harbouring feelings of jealousy or fostering discontent” tells Chris about the single.
Chris Noah has been described as one of the most exciting newcomers from Latvia. Coming from a musical family Chris wasn’t that into music until at the age of 17, when he re-discovered his interest in music and started making his own material together with his brother. His first single ‘Had It All’ became a huge hit in Latvia and a year later his sophomore single ‘You’ received an award from the Latvian Authors’ Association for one of the most played radio songs of 2017. Ever since Chris has been gaining attention for his distinctive vocals, relatable lyrics, and strong sense of melody. With his next self-released singles ‘River’ and ‘Fall Through’ in 2018, Chris received praise from a variety of blogs including Indie Air, AlexRainBirdMusic, Uranium Waves, Comeherefloyd, Aofd3, Mystic Sons, York Calling, Wolf in a Suit and many others. In 2020 Chris released his debut EP ‘Distance’, which received a nomination for the best debut at the Latvian Music Awards in 2021.
“Hypochondriac” is BAIBA’s second single from her upcoming mini-album or EP “Compulsive”.
The rhythmic and playful electro-pop song tells the story of BAIBA’s struggle with health issues and the resulting insecurity.
“It was the biggest motivation to create a slightly funny, satirical and self-healing song. To look back at these experiences with a smile,” says BAIBA.
At times, when mental and physical health are equally important, it is important to keep them both in balance, the artist believes. And that’s exactly what the song itself and the bright, 90’s pop music inspired video is about. Making of the video took place in the Tyrolean hospital. It was created in collaboration with Austrian video company DTW and Streetmotion dance studio.
“Hypochondriac” is the second single from BAIBA’s upcoming EP “Compulsive” which is due out next spring.
The intro and outro of the song is voiced by the TikTok content creator well know in Latvia by the name “Edza”. The sound of the song is slightly “heavier” than previously
released songs.
“We have been playing around with the thought of trying to compose something “heavier” The structure of the song “came together” effortlessly. The heavier breakdown of the song was something new to us as well, but without a doubt – enjoyable. “, comments lead guitarist and producer of the group Kārlis “Šīns” Pūle.
We are a part of the alternative rock genre because it allows us to combine different styles. “The song “Drown” is about leaving everything in your life behind you and expressing your attachment to others. Even though the lyrics of the song refer to sinking, its true meaning is completely the opposite”, says lead singer and rhythm guitarist Jānis Klāsons.
The song is available on all of the popular music streaming platforms – Spotify, YouTube, Apple Music etc. We wish you a pleasant listen and hope to see you at our concerts!