Latvian rock and metal music groups and other representatives of the industry express their support to the people of Ukraine in these difficult times! Musicians and industry condemn Russia’s aggression and demand an immediate end to the war! Glory to Ukraine, Glory to the Heroes!
On Friday, 18th of March at 6 o’clock in the morning, a pop-up event “Meeting point” will take place in the yard of the Latvian National Museum of Art. Everyone is welcome to experience the magic of the sunrise accompanied by a musical performance from the Latvian indie band “Carnival Youth”.
The organizers “Ezera skaņas”, emphasize the importance of creating shared events to encourage the inclusion of Ukrainian people in Riga’s cultural scene and providing a public space for people to meet and share their experiences and stories during these challenging times.
The event will have a pop-up nature with an improvised stage, coffee and cookies. Attendees are encouraged to bring breakfast, warm blankets and picnic chairs.
For the following month, similar events at this location will be held weekly on Saturday afternoons. During the events, cash donations will be collected to support Ukraine.
For more information, visit “Ezera skaņas” Facebook page and the “Meeting Point” Facebook event page – https://bit.ly/MP_1803
Musicians from Latvia, Lithuania, Russia, and Ukraine have united in a song called “Resistance”. The song calls on everyone to support Ukraine in its fight against the military aggression of Russia. It honours the bravery and strength of its defenders and stands firmly for European values and the right to freedom of every nation. The musicians appeal to everyone not to be ignorant and encourage to support Ukraine in any way possible. The singers also call on other artists to create projects that keep Ukraine and its people in the spotlight. All proceeds from the streaming and performing of “Resistance” will be donated to support Ukraine.
Katrina Gupalo reveals that her family from her father’s side – her brother, cousin, their families and friends – are in Ukraine. In the first days of the war, she and many others were overwhelmed with despair, anger, sadness, and terror. The musician decided to convert these emotions into strength and energy to keep going while doing everything possible to help Ukraine. Katrina’s love for Ukraine has been in her heart since her childhood, and now it shines through in the song “Resistance”. Its lyrics are in the Ukrainian, English and Russian languages to unite everyone in the fight against the aggressor and to remind how important it is to support Ukraine right now. The song begins with a Ukrainian folk song that is followed by the inspiring and fearless chorus of the late Ojārs Ēriks Kalniņš, former Head of the Latvian Delegation to NATO Parliamentary Assembly and member of the Ukraine-NATO Interparliamentary Council, and finishes with the words of Kostiantyn Gupalo—the outstanding Ukrainian archaeologist and historian, Katrina’s father—that symbolically reveal the moment when to bid farewell to your life and loved ones. “Ojārs Ēriks Kalniņš and my father have been standing for freedom and European values all their lives, and I believe that now they are protecting Ukraine from heaven in its fight against the annihilation of the country. That is the reason why their poetry is part of the song “Resistance”, says Katrina Gupalo.
First responders to the call were the music producer Armands Varslavāns and musicians from the group “Tautumeitas”, who emphasize that everyone must find a way to support Ukraine because ignorance can cost dearly: “Our hearts go out to all those who are heroically fighting for their homeland and the freedom of all. May this song touch Ukrainians’ hearts; may they know that they are not alone in this fight.”
A number of popular Latvian musicians contributed to the song: Ingus Ulmanis, Kārlis Kazāks, Katrīna Dimanta, Miks Dukurs, Roberto Meloni, Atis Zviedris, Gunārs Gaumīgs, Loreta Reide, Evija Smagare, Karlīna, AnnaKrista, Anita Intaite, Ilze Rijniece, June River, violinist Rasa Pole, flautist Sniedze Prauliņa, cellist Erna Daugaviete, guitarists Rihards Lībietis and Gints Smukais, drummer Matīss Uškāns, bass guitarist Kristaps Strods, including members of the bands “Tautumeitas”, “Citi zēni”, “Dziļi violets”, “Sub Scriptum”, “Sudden Lights”, “Franco Franco”, “Four Minute Man”, “Audiokvartāls” and “Embark”. Lithuanian singer Kamilė Griušytė and band “Deeper Upper”, Russian singer Dmitry Lanskoy, and Ukrainian musician Edgars Vilcāns can also be heard on the song.
The video for the song was filmed at H2O 6, RISEBA Architecture and Media Center. It was created by creative agency “Ai Production”, whose filming operator Edgars Punculis offered his assistance the moment he learnt that Katrina Gupalo is doing this for Ukraine’s support. Aiga Baikova, Director of “Ai Production” reveals that the decision to participate in the project was immediate. “Planning and production of this kind of music video, which includes about 80 people, usually takes weeks if not months, so this was definitely a challenge and a test for the team – to plan everything in a few days, do all the filming in one, and then do the post-editing in a similar fashion. We are extremely grateful to all the contributors, because when a war is happening next door, it is important to take a strong stance and to be aware that with our work we can influence the public.”
The video’s creative team portrays the current events from different angles, focusing on the horrors of war in Ukraine and the relentless information and propaganda wars on the Internet amid countless events to support Ukraine, and emphasizing Ukrainians’ strength, dignity, cultural heritage, and people’s account of the events.
Most of the musicians heard in the song also participated in the video. The video also features folk dance group “Perlinka” and pupils of the Riga Ukrainian School, as well as Ukrainian artists Laura Vilcāne with her son Edgars Vilcāns and violinist Valērija Mustafina, who have found refuge in Latvia from the war.
Laura Vilcāne, who works in the the Kyiv State Drama and Comedy Theater on the Left Bank, tells: “A song is always a powerful weapon. “Resistance” masterfully touches your soul, capturing the mood of fighting and battling. I was very surprised to find myself in such a warm circle of like-minded people. It really was a feeling that me and my son are at home and everyone around us is our own blood. We were all UKRAINIANS on that day!”
The producer and director of the video is Aiga Baikova, script writer and director of editing – Ieva Sarmiņa, DOP – Edgars Punculis, producer’s assistants – Paula Brante, Elīna Zarecka. Laser projection artist – Gatis Lagzdiņš from “Artistic.lv”, video projection artist – Anna Dzērve, stylist – Liene Grīnberga (Public Makes Image), makeup artists and hair stylists – Vita Vītola, Egija Andersone, Santa Sandule, Viola Jakubane, Ineta Lesīte. Everyone participating in the recording of the song and the filming of the video worked for free.
Katrina Gupalo expresses her sincere gratitude to all the musicians who participated in this project: “Yes, maybe one voice is a small drop, but when many voices come together they create a pond, a river, a sea, and even an ocean. And I believe that this ocean of voices will help our society to hold the right values, make the right decisions in our lives and with its powerful, elemental stream wash away the darkness and madness that has set upon us.”
The creative team of the project invites all musicians, who would like to create their own versions of the “Resistance” and would like to receive score, lyrics and song’s minus track, to write to katrinagupalomanager@gmail.com.
The creative team thanks all the supporters who helped to carry out the project: Riga Ukrainian school, especially Egils Vilkaušs, Marija Semjonova for the authentic Ukrainian folk costumes from her personal collection, Boriss Larionovs and “Piano Salon @152”, “Best of Baltic Entertainment”, “Music Export Latvia”, LAIPA, AKKA/LAA, IdeaText, LIDO recreation centre, “Mangaļi”, “BBrental”, “Artistic.lv”, RISEBA, “Zaļā bāze”, “Dobeles sveces”, “Ābeļdārzs Burtnieki” and others.
The “Resistance” is available on all major music streaming platforms: https://fanlink.to/resistance_latviaforukraine, including Spotify: https://spoti.fi/361Ll3z and “Bandcamp”: https://katrinagupalo.bandcamp.com/track/resistance
Artis Dvarionas, the voice of R.A.P., returns to music after a 12-year break with the protest song “Tukšpauris” (Muttonhead). His new stage name is Lapsene.
“I had originally planned to present my new music project at the end of this year, but with the Russian aggression in Ukraine, I couldn’t delay any longer,” says Artis.
Lapsene’s debut song “Tukšpauris” was written by Artis Dvarionas in collaboration with lyricist Igo, who is no stranger to opposing the aggressive eastern neighbour since the times of the Awakening in the late 1980s.
“The song “Tukšpauris” can resonate in many different meanings, but above all it is a message of protest with a call to action to put an end to the totalitarian regime beyond our eastern border”, Artis adds.
Under the stage name Lapsene, Artis intends to compose, arrange and produce the music for this project himself, by involving various lyricists.
“This event is special for me because for the first time I will be realising myself in a solo project, composing, arranging and producing my own music, involving different lyricists. I should mention that this is not a one-song project and the protest song “Tukšpauris” is a starting application for a broader and more ambitious musical goal”, Artis continues.
Participated in the creation of the song: Reinis Briģis (studio co-producer), Reinis Kārkliņš (audio post-production), Eduards Zagainovs-Veinbrants (video version).
Artis Dvarionas used to sing in the bands R.A.P. and TāTāTā, whose best-known songs are “Dzīve bez apstājas” (Life without Stop) (feat. Igo), “Nekas vairs nav tā” (Nothing Is as It Used to Be), “Tu esi dinamīts” (You Are Dynamite), “Ja nu tā esi tu” (If It Is You) and others.
This spring, musician EZIA will release her debut album “Cycles”, which was made in
collaboration with composer and producer Reinis Ašmanis. The album presentation concert will take place on March 31, 2022 at the Digital Art House at Skolas Street 2, Riga.
The album “Cycles” tells about the cycles a person goes through on a daily basis and during their
lifetime. The songs talk about love, divorce, self-seeking and the realization of dreams. “The music
was created by combining my Latvian mentality with life in Brooklyn, New York, which allowed me to
get to know American music – R&B, neo-soul and jazz – from its source. The main message of the
album is to cultivate love and respect towards oneself, which then greatly influences our attitude
towards the world around us, ”says EZIA.
At the concert, EZIA will perform the compositions of the album “Cycles”, and listeners will also
have an exclusive opportunity to hear music that is planned to be released in the future. The concert
program will be complemented by specially designed video projections, which will allow you to
experience the musical atmosphere and message even better.
Doors open at 7.30 pm, the concert starts at 8 pm, tickets available at digitalarthouse.eu.
EZIA has spent four years working and studying in New York, where she graduated from The New
School for Jazz and Contemporary Music last year. More info on EZIA, including tours, audio
samples, news, and reviews is available on Instagram @eziaishere or Spotify, Apple Music, etc.
DIGITAL ART HOUSE is an art space for people who want to enjoy the works of world-famous
artists in a free, modern and relaxed atmosphere. Multimedia exhibitions are a symbiosis of the
works of genius artists and the possibilities of modern technology, which allows us to see what we
already know in a new light.
Notable rock band “Laime Pilnīga” releases new song together with a music video on “Perseverance”. You can already find the song on all the biggest music streaming platforms.
“The process of creation of the composition “Perseverance” was a wonderful adventure full with contingencies and unexpected turn of events that were carried out with no rush and perfected at the band’s recording studio “Laimes telpa”. We were successful with multiple ideas that we wanted to do for a while now, like, using recorded stories of more than 30 people. This composition is created as a journey with a beginning and an end. Thematically we are continuing the matters that we find interesting or feel affected by. Regarding this song we could say that with perseverance you can go miles, and sometimes even too far.” That’s what the authors of the song Ervīns Ramiņš and Mārcis Vasiļevskis have to say.
On a hot evening in August the music video was created as well which is the work of Ņikita Karpovs. The band has already worked with him before on creating music videos for songs “Divatā”, “Esmu, tu esi es”.
The song is recorded at the band’s studio “Laimes telpa” together with the guitarist of the band Mārcis Vasiļevskis in the role of a sound engineer and at “Siguldas skaņu studija” with the sound engineer Mārcis Kalniņš. The producing and mastering was then done by Krišjānis Geidāns, but the final touches on the record were from Minervai Pappi from “Waudio Mastering” in Finland.
The notable rock band “Laime Pilnīga” was founded in spring of year 2006 in Riga and is known for their energetic and emotionally charged concerts. The sound of the band is concluded of virtuoso guitar play, unique vocals and a strong rhythmic section that altogether create the whirl of roaring rock music and nuanced sensations
On the 6th of January, in collaboration with ALCE (Alise Diure) rapper E.V. releases a new video for a song from his upcoming album “The Smoke & Mirrors LP”, which is set to release on the 28th of January. The song as well as the video for “The Magic” thematically revolves around music. In the video for the song, the viewer gets a tour of significantly important locations for Latvian hip-hop where either music is created or inspiration gets picked up for the creation of music. Locations include Kreisais Krasts recording studio, Dirty Deal Audio’s studio, the recording studio of rolands če, as well as Latvian hip-hop legend Ozols’ clothing store Hoodshop, which is full of iconic hip-hop memorabilia and items. In the song, the saxophone is played by Ernests Aļļis.
“This very song and video is a crucial element for understanding the upcoming album. It depicts the relentless creative energy of an artist and the energy for the album itself. It’s all about the magic of music and the unmatched feeling of mysticism that comes with it. That’s why the song is called “The Magic”. ”
E.V. is a 22-year-old hip-hop artist from Ikšķile / Ogre who writes and performs songs in both Latvian and English. He is a member of two hip-hop groups – Kreisais Krasts and Brīvrunu Projekts. The start of his musical career dates back to 2016 but his debut album titled “Imperfect World” was released in 2017 (recorded in Dirty Deal Audio). His next big project was titled “2018” (recorded by rolands če) although E.V. himself defines this project as more of a “song collection” than a conceptually formed album. The rapper’s upcoming and most ambitious album yet “The Smoke & Mirrors LP” is set to release on the 28th of January, 2022.
E.V. has performed at multiple events as a solo artist and with the aforementioned hip-hop groups. Concerts have taken place in small clubs as well as some of the biggest festivals in Latvia, such as “Positivus”, “SummerSound”, “Baldones Waterfest” and many more.
BAIBA’s latest single has been made in collaboration with Italian electro / groove music producer Bruno Belissimo. The song “Come Around” is the musician’s first single after the album “Lighter” released in May.
BAIBA (real name – Baiba Dēķena), who lives in Innsbruck, Austria, has released this song thanks to winning the second place in “Upload Sounds” – the Italian competition for young musicians’. The victory gave her the opportunity to collaborate with Bruno Belissimo, a Canadian/Italian electronic music producer.
The collaboration also includes a music video for the single that was filmed in the Italian city of Milan.
The song “Come Around” is a story about various emotions that we experience after a relationship. Both the relief we sometimes get when a difficult relationship is over and the frustration when we realize that we may be adapting too much to the relationship and, for fear of not being loved, have ultimately lost what we really are.
“This is not a sad song. If after the relationship ends the anger is chanelled properly after the end of the relationship, it can give us the ability to accept ourselves for who we really are, ”says BAIBA, “I want this song to empower people, to give this feeling that we all are different and, maybe, sometimes weird and crazy but it’s all OK!”
Currently, BAIBA continues to write new songs, as well as performs regularly in Austria and Italy. The young artist also teaches music production classes. This autumn, the artist had planned to perform in Latvia as well, but these concerts have been canceled for the time being due to the restrictions of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Check out the new song on Spotify
BAIBA is a Latvian musician who currently lives in Innsbruck, Austria. She grew up in a farming family in Tukums region, Pūre parish. At the age of seven, she began attending Kandava Music School, where she studied piano. Later, BAIBA moved to Liepāja, where he studied cultural management and also obtained a master’s degree in writing. During this time, she began to write her own songs and perform at various events.
At the end of 2020, BAIBA won 2nd place in the Italian music competition “Upload Sounds” and got the opportunity to work with renowned representatives of the Italian music industry – producer Bruno Belissimo (previously worked with Italian groups such as “Calcutta” and “Frah Quintale”) and video graphics and video director Claudio Zagarini from Universal Music.
With three released singles, Quickstrike has prepared their audience for the culmination – the release of the debut album “None of a Kind” on February 11 this year.
“Cheats n’ Liars” takes inspiration from the various situations and encounters with people that we experienced both before and during the writing of the album. Mostly during the latter – situations with different characters in showbusiness, their attitudes, work ethic and intentions. Their impressive offers with the fine print that says none of it is true, and their dishonest nature. We’re quite sure that everyone has had a run-in with these type, so anyone will be able to relate’’, says the band.
This is the second collaboration with director Gunārs Porietis, and this time the location used was the club “Live Art” in Valmiera. Chronologically, this is the first video filmed and, like the other two, was made in November 2020.
“We would like to thank the owner of “Live Art”, Māris Kalniņš, who has supported us from the very beginning, providing space for rehearsals, and making us the house band. With this video, we wanted to show ourselves on stage, and “Live Art” was the perfect place for it” – the band concludes.
Last year “Quickstrike” signed a record deal with Rockshots Records to release the band’s debut album, None of a Kind, on February 11, 2022.
23 year old singer/songwriter from Riga has released the 3rd single of the upcoming debut album ‘PENUMBRA’ and it’s called ‘Get You Off My Mind’.
The author comments on the upcoming album: ‘While I have faced many set-backs in tue making of ‘PENUMBRA’, right now I have the opportunity to work on my music more than ever before, so the album is finally coming together’. ‘Get You Off My Mind’ is about the process of trying to forget a person and accepting that You’ll do anything to get them off Your mind.
Patriks identifies his work with such genres as: R&B/Soul, Indie Pop, Singer/Songwriter, Bedroom Pop, Neo Soul and others.