Category: News

A new alternative: music crafted by a full-time artist, with a method actor-like devotion to discovering new musical possibilities. Hotel Universe (September 16th, 2022 via Mothland) is the second album by multi-instrumentalist, singer and psychedelia artist Elizabete Balčus.

From layered flute solos and synthesizers, to baritone sax romps and biorhythms, the album offers immersion in a richly-imaginative parallel reality. It’s perhaps the emphasis on musical arrangement, and the ability to transfix the listener, through not knowing where the music is going to go next, that sets Elizabete Balčus apart.

The artist’s ear is one of Latvia’s great treasures. After spending years training in classical and jazz music, she turned away from a traditional approach, instead assembling a self-styled future, where performing live with fruits and vegetables as a synthesizer and wearing surreal DIY costumes, with nods to the avant-garde, would become the norm.

Despite being predominantly a one-woman powerhouse – producing everything herself  – the few moments of collaboration on her second album do stand out. “Narcissism Purgatory” features an inspired percussive contribution from English comedian James Acaster. While, Simonas Šipavičius from Sheep Got Waxed plays sax on “Get Naked” and “Asparagus or Brussel Sprouts?” – resulting in one of the Baltic States’ most potent coming together of woodwind instrumentalists in an age.

Yet to focus solely on virtuosity and innovation musically would be a disservice. As alluded to in the introduction, she is a psychedelic artist and Hotel Universe is crafted in a way that offers access to her worldview – one which posits collective consciousness over the idea of the individu.

The most popular Latvian jazz-funk group “Very Cool People” will celebrate Baltic Unity Day with a concert in Vilnius. It will take place on September 22 at the legendary music club “Tamsta”, where the group will offer its Lithuanian fans a new concert program together with the charming singer Paula Saija.

For almost five years, the Latvian band “Very Cool People” has been a frequent guest in Lithuania, regularly performing at various festivals, such as “Vilnius Mama Jazz”, “Klaipedos pilies jazz festival”, “Šiauliai Jazz”, “Big Band Festival Šiauliai”, “Taurage Jazz ”, “What’s Next in Music?” and in others. Also this year, the group performed at several Lithuanian festivals, as well as performed at concerts together with the attractive Lithuanian group “Antikvariniai Kašpirovskio dantys”

“Since I studied in Vilnius in 2004, Lithuania is always close to me,” says the leader of the band “Very Cool People”, guitarist Elvijs Graftsovs. “I feel there as with real brothers, I speak to the audience in Lithuanian as well. It is often not very grammatically correct, applying Latvian inflections to Lithuanian words, but the listeners understand and sometimes corect me!”

No less important fact for the group is that it is not only the Baltic Unity Day, but also Maris celebrates their name day. For “Very Cool People”, this means a three-fold celebration – Baltic Unit Day, the premiere of the new concert program in Lithuania and the worldwide celebration of Māris Day, as the group is proud have two Māris in their collective.

“I also feel at home at concerts in Vilnius, because this will be the third time I will be on the stage of the Tamsta club together with Very Cool People,” says singer Paula Saija. “But this time will be very special for me, because we will play a concert program of original music created together.”

The new program has just been polished to shine in several concerts in the Czech Republic and Germany, from where the Latvian group will come to their brothers in Lithuania. During the summer, “Very Cool People” actively gave concerts both in Latvia and Lithuania, playing around 50 concerts in total.

Very Cool People:  Paula Saija – vocal;  Elvijs Grafcovs – guitar;  Māris Jēkabsons – tenor sax; Kristaps Lubovs – bariton sax;  Laura Rozenberga – trombone, vocal;  Oskars Ozoliņš – Trumpet;  Māris Vitkus – keyboards;  Jānis Olekšs – bass;  Andris Buiķis – drums.

Tickets

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!

Latvian band “The Coco’nuts” have released their third full length album “Forward Back”, which includes 10 songs. An ear, a prominent figure for the album, symbolizes the act of listening – to the music itself, the echoes of the world, and the voice of the band’s audience.

The third Freedom Festival by Andrejs Osokins will be held in Riga from May 25 until June 8. As a reaction to Russia‘s military aggression, this year’s festival is dedicated to Ukraine. Currently six concerts are being announced, taking place at these venues: the Black Heads House (Melngalvju nams), Hanzas perons, Piano salon @152 and the Anglican Church. A multitude of artists, well-known both in Latvia and globally, will come together for this festival, among them are Dita Lūriņa, Chulpan Khamatova, Ģirts Krūmiņš, Ralfs Eilands, Georgijs Osokins, Raimonds Tiguls, Žoržs Siksna, Katrīna Dimanta, Roberto Meloni, Katrina Gupalo and Andrejs Osokins himself as well as musicians and actors from Ukraine who came to Latvia seeking shelter from the horrors of war. In cooperation with “Biļešu paradīze” and the Ziedot.lv foundation all proceeds from ticket sales will be donated for the support of the Ukrainian people.                                                                                                       

“It is more than obvious that Russia’s military attacks and their military operations in Ukraine will change the world. But in what way – that depends on each one of us. Right now, not only weapons and world leaders hold power but each and every person can influence what is happening – with their voice, be it live or virtually, their actions, their help, their support and their decisions. Ukraine and its courageous people  have been fighting relentlessly for the existence of their country and their people, the future of Europe with its ideals and its freedom. That’s why we must keep up our energy in helping and supporting Ukraine”, says Andrejs Osokins, initiator of the festival.

The first two concerts will take place at the piano salon @152 which the audience already knows from the past two Osokins festivals. On May 25 we will hear Andrejs Osokins, Katrina Gupalo, Žoržs Siksna, Ģirts Krūmiņš and a piano duet by Roksana Tarvide and Kaspars Bumbišs in a very personal setting, a grand and masterful opening of the program. On May 27 pianist Georgijs Osokins will be playing a solo concert at his brother‘s festival for the first time, performing music by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Frédéric Chopin, Tōru Takemitsu, Stephen Hough and Alexander Scriabin.

On May 28 Chulpan Khamatova, actress at The New Riga Theatre, and Andrejs Osokins will present their poetic performance at the House of the Black Heads. The performance was created especially for this festival and combines music by Ukrainian composer Valentin Silvestrov, Frédéric Chopin and Volfgangs Dārziņš with poetry by Bulat Okudzhava, Alexander Galich and Osip Mandelstam. During the concert the recently composed piece for piano “Vairs nekad!”, dedicated to Ukraine, by Aivars Kalējs will have its premiere.

Continuing the festival on June 3, Katrina Gupalo, Andrejs Osokins and Roberto Meloni will present a concert program full of temperament and warmth containing French, Spanish and Ukrainian songs, music from movies as well as piano pieces by Gerorge Gershwin and Claude Debussy.

The “Concert of the Soul” on June 4 featuring mezzo-soprano Ieva Parša, pianist Iveta Cālīte and Urkainian bayanist Irina Serotjuk, Katrina Gupalo with a string quartet and a choir and festival initiator Andrejs Osokins will be the first concert at the Anglican Church after its reconstruction. The program will include Latvian and Ukrainian folk music, songs by Katrina Gupalo, Emilis Melngailis and Kristaps Pētersons as well as music by Ukrainian composers Volodymyr Zubytsky and Myroslav Skoryk.

The festival will finish with a special highlight on June 8 when Latvian and Ukrainian musicians and actors will perform together on one stage. During the first part of the concert we will hear Dita Lūriņa, Raimonds Tiguls, Katrīna Gupalo, Ukrainian clarinetist Nazar Hizhyi and Andrejs Osokins. The second part will feature Latvian-Ukrainian duets, trios and groups created especially for this festival, establishing new and artistically fascinating cooperations that might otherwise never have happened. Among the Ukrainian musicians will be singers Larisa Shelest, Anastasiiya Yatsenko, Anastasiiya Vasilenko, Evgeniya Nasonova, violinist Valeriiya Mustafina, pianist Artur Nikulin, Jazz pianist Edgars Vilcāns and more who will be joined by Katrīna Dimanta, Ralfs Eilands, Gints Smukais, Rihards Lībietis and other Latvian artists. The final performance will be the song “Resistance” by the united artists of “Latvia for Ukraine”.

Larisa Shelest, singer and participant of the festival, explains: “My hometown Berdyansk was completely occupied by the Russian army. For almost two month now there has been no gas or heating, they are running out of medicine, food is incredibly expensive and it is exceedingly difficult to buy petrol. It is almost impossible to get out of there due to the active military operations happening close to the borders of the city, many roads are mined or destroyed. Newborns receive Russian citizenship by force. Recently Berdyansk shut down all mobile communications and the internet, so I can‘t contact my parents there anymore. I don‘t know when or if I will ever see my family and friends again. Every single person‘s  support in Latvia or elsewhere in the world helps us to gain freedom, return home and rebuild our country!”

One of the biggest partners of the festival, the shopping center „Spice“, stresses that there is no place for war in our modern world and that we all together need to find ways to support not only the victims of the war but also each other.

“In these challenging times we stand up for peace and freedom. For the people of Ukraine. Therefore we are grateful to the organizers of Andrejs Osokins‘ Freedom Festival for their initiative and are happy to be a part of this event. The guests of the festival will not only help the people of Ukraine but hopefully find some much needed peace of mind thanks to the versatile program and the talented artists,” says Iveta Priedīte, head of the shopping centers „Spice“ and „Spice Home“.

Entry to the festival will be free of charge to all refugees from Ukraine currently living in Latvia. The festival team invites them to send an e-mail in Ukrainian or Russian to edgars_vilc@ukr.net in order to get free tickets.

The festival team is grateful to the artists and partners, thanks to whom all proceeds of the ticket sales can be donated to supporting Ukraine.

The program of the festival and ticket purchase can be found at all “Biļešu paradīze” offices as well as online: https://www.bilesuparadize.lv/lv/custompage/3074. When purchasing tickets for the festival no service fee will be charged. More information about the festival can be found on this website: www.alartists.com.

 

On Tuesday, June 28, Jannsi’s single ‘Perfection Is Gone’ was released, where indie rock sounds are a tribute to attempts, efforts, and struggles, when it is not always possible to achieve a perfect result. 

“The song is about the seeming perfection we see in other people’s lives, social media and stories, which disappears when the cameras are off. About reality, which is not glossy,” says Jannsi.

Previously, Jannsi published a three-song EP “Zilonis” (Elephant) – his manifesto that our prejudices and what we hear from like-minded people should not be the reason why we oppress our neighbors. The song “Brīvību Ukrainai” (Freedom for Ukraine), was a means of maintaining sanity at the time when the Russian army began attacking Ukraine.

In the single, all instruments and vocals were performed by the musician himself, while mixing and mastering were provided by Jānis Locs. “Perfection Is Gone” is available on major music streaming services.

Jannsi, whose real name is Jānis Uplejs, is an indie rock singer from Latvia, who previously played in various groups and compositions. With the group “Riverfall” he once performed together with the great guitarist Armands Alksnis, as well as participated in the TV show “X Factor Latvia”, getting to the “chair challenge”. Jannsi cites Nothing But Thieves, Twenty-One Pilots and The White Stripes as his most important musical influences.

Authors of the music and lyrics: Kristina Morins, Arturs Osipovs, Aleksandrs Solovjovs and Marks Ivanovs. Music Production: Aleksandrs Solovjovs, Sol Recording Studio.

“The work on the song coincided with the start of the pandemic. Uncertainty – could be described as what is happening around,” Arturs says.

“A person easily, and especially at such a time, succumbs to someone else’s influence, forgetting about himself and his true desires. The title of the song is “Ask Yourself”. If you have lost your way or are entangled in the web of other people’s games, just slow down and formulate the main questions for yourself. “Who am I?”

Because sometimes the question itself is more important than any answers.”

From May 11, 2022, the new track “Ask Yourself” is available on all major online streaming services.