Musician Luka releases new summer single “Tik viegli”

On Friday, May 30, 2025, musician Luka is releasing her new summer single “Tik viegli”, which she presents as a preview of her upcoming EP album, set for release this fall. The song’s music video will be available on all major streaming platforms starting May 30 at 12:00 PM.

“The song ”Tik viegli” reflects how I’m learning to embrace the good in everyday life – not rejecting the things that bring peace, safety, and joy,” says Luka. “It’s a gesture of gratitude toward the people who bring that feeling into my life, and at the same time, a permission I give myself to be open to joy. “Tik viegli” is a reminder that feeling good and accepting it is not only possible, but also something we deserve.”

“Tik viegli” was created in collaboration with producer Patriks Elviss Pētersons. The chorus came to life while Luka was visiting Denmark and became the foundation for the song’s overall mood. The guitar parts were recorded by Jānis Kalniņš, and the track was post-produced by Kaspars Ansons. The visual concept for the song was created by Ralfs Jankevics and Emīls Trauliņš.

Luka shares that the creative process for this track was unpredictable and ever-changing, as both the song and its creation differed from her previous work. The theme of water is a constant motif – both in the song and its visual story, which is part of a broader journey that will continue with the upcoming EP.

The single will be performed live for the first time on June 5 at “Bourzma Boutique 2025” at 8:00 PM.

Musician Luka is the runner-up of Season 5 of the music show “X faktors” and was also a participant in this year’s “Supernova”. She also gained recognition with her single “Atļauties”. Luka plans to further pursue her musical career abroad.

The band “R.A.P.” releases an energetic single and music video

Marking their return after a 17-year hiatus, the band “R.A.P.” has released a new, energetic single titled “Melnā (Ak nē, nē, nē!)”, along with a music video. 

The song’s music was created by all four band members – vocalist Artis Dvarionas, guitarist Aleksandrs Štro, bassist Artis Rozītis, and drummer Gatis Kaizers. The lyrics were written by Artis Dvarionas. The initial musical idea was born during the band’s first creative retreat after reuniting, which took place last year in Rauna, while the lyrics were written later, following the band’s powerful comeback concert this March.

“The song is based on healthy irony about emotions we all know – when anxiety caused by a desire for recognition, and fear that your work won’t meet expectations, becomes a burden,” says Artis Dvarionas. “These feelings are especially familiar to people in creative fields, who often experience a stark contrast between the initial euphoria of a new idea and the hard-hitting reality that follows.”

An equally energetic music video was produced for the new track “Melnā (Ak nē, nē, nē!)” which is a rarity in the band’s history. “This is a big deal for us, as we haven’t exactly been generous with music videos in the past,” Artis continues. “The concept was simple – to highlight the song’s dynamics and its self-ironic message. This was possible thanks to two truly talented individuals who brought our vision to life – director Marks Landmanis and cinematographer Ritvars Bluka.”

As previously reported, the band “R.A.P.” – considered one of the flag-bearers of the local alternative rock scene – returned last November after a 17-year creative break, releasing the new song “Mēs esam atpakaļ!”. This March, they reunited with their audience with full force at a concert held at “Palladium” concert hall in Riga. The concert has also been nominated for the public media award “Kilograms kultūras”.

The band is now actively preparing for their summer shows, two of which have already been announced – on July 26, “R.A.P.” will perform at the “Saldus Saule” festival, and on August 2, they’ll take the stage at the grand summer festival “Summer Sound” in Liepāja.

Meanwhile, the new single “Melnā (Ak nē, nē, nē!)” is already available on top Latvian radio stations and major music streaming platforms.

The new music video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/QB5WEloOKlg

Sniedze Prauliņa publishes a version of “Carol of the bells” as a dedication it to pre-Christmas exhaustion

Will this gift wrap be good enough? How to negotiate an extension of work with the teacher? Is there enough food? But maybe it’s too much of it? When should work reports be sent? What last-minute gift to get for a forgotten relative? Where to leave the children while going to the New Year’s party? Why the hell did I read the news before the holidays? When will there be snow and money?


If you know the heart-wrenching feelings behind these questions, put on Sniedzes version of the alarming Christmas bells and feel that you’re not alone. Happy holidays no matter what!

The song was arranged, played and sung in the home studio by the tired elf Sniedze Prauliņa, mixed by the hardworking dwarfs Pyotr Kalinskis from Poland and our own Krišjānis Geidāns.

“Auļi” launch second season of “Senču Balsu” in collaboration with a singer from Ghana

The drum and bagpipe group “Auļi” kicks off the second season of their project “Senču Balsis” with a three-song mini-album titled “Voices of Ghana”, featuring the talented Ghanaian singer Abiana. The project aims to build a musical bridge between traditional vocal cultures from around the world and Latvian folk music.

Abiana (real name Eldah Naa Abiana Dickson) is a renowned Ghanaian singer and songwriter who has received several prestigious awards, including “Record of the Year” and “Best Female Vocal Performance” at the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards.

The mini-album features three traditional Ghanaian songs in different dialects – “Senwa De Dende” (Twi), “Meele Ni Yaa” (Ga) and “Agba Eeeee” (Ewe) – arranged by Auļi. The music was composed by Mārtiņš Miļevskis, Edgars Kārklis, and Kaspars Bārbals.

“After the success of the first season, which culminated in a successful concert tour in Latvia, a documentary on Latvian Television, and wide engagement on social media, we were ready to continue this journey. That’s why we are especially excited to once again focus on international musical collaborations,” shared Auļi bagpiper Kaspars Bārbals.

Michael Bamfo, CEO of Apprise Music, emphasized the broader impact of the collaboration, stating: “This project goes beyond music. It connects history, education, and innovation — perfectly aligning with our mission to make African music accessible to a global audience.”

The second season of the project is set to include a 12-song program, created in collaboration with three international female vocalists and one Latvian singer. The goal is to offer both Latvian and global audiences a glimpse into the vocal traditions of various cultures around the world.

“It’s incredibly fascinating to observe how songs from such different cultures intertwine with Latvian folk songs and Auļi’s music. It evokes emotions never felt before,” says composer Mārtiņš Miļevskis.

The first season was released in 2019 and featured vocalists from Mongolia, Austria, Sápmi (the land of the Sámi people), and Latvia. The most viewed video on YouTube from the project is the collaboration between Auļi and Batzorig Vaanchig titled “Hunnu Guren”: https://youtu.be/vztRqe_CHC0?si=gvsZZ1_OfVzkUH32

Markus Riva has just dropped what might be the first track in Latvia this year

To kick off the New Year, musician and songwriter Markus Riva surprised his fans by releasing a brand-new song and music video in English titled “Lose Control.” This single, a collaborative effort with partners in Ukraine, encourages everyone to let loose on the dance floor. Markus’s wish for his listeners this year is simple: live life like a dance, savoring each moment without worrying about how it appears to an onlooker.

“I’m aiming for the first song of the year in Latvia,” Markus Riva chuckles. “But on a serious note, the start of the year is when we traditionally set various goals and make resolutions. I decided actions speak louder than resolutions! So, I wrapped up the song recording and quickly organized the video shoot to kick off the year with some musical freshness.”

The music video, directed by Pavel Trebukhins, was filmed in Nīgrande, Latvia. Markus himself serves as the video producer and, as always, fearlessly injects irony at his own expense.

“The song tackles breaking out of one’s comfort zone, challenging societal stereotypes and norms, embracing personal freedom, and is dedicated to all those who feel misunderstood, restricted, or oppressed. The video incorporates various symbols open to interpretation by each viewer,” explains Markus.

Markus Riva, recognized in Latvia for his musical endeavors beyond the country’s borders, doesn’t shy away from revealing that this year will be no different. He hopes for success with the song beyond Latvia, hence the decision to release it in English. Yet, this is just a fraction of his plans for the year. Markus is also working on his inaugural album in Ukrainian, continues to craft material in Latvian, and, as he puts it, musical horizons can never be too broad. Therefore, 2024 promises to be an exceptionally productive year in his creative journey.

Rapper Revolūcija releases music video and announces debut mini-album “sekcija”

Rapper Revolūcija, in collaboration with producer Tablis and singer Amanda, has released a new single and music video titled “pieklājības pēc”. This serves as a preview of Revolūcija’s debut mini-album “sekcija”, set to be released on June 4.

The song, driven by Afrobeat rhythms and a touch of irony, reflects on going on dates not out of passion or interest, but simply out of politeness. It is another example of Revolūcija’s ability to humorously shed light on everyday emotional tangles.

“With “pieklājības pēc” I wanted to challenge producer Tablis, who’s more known for classic boom bap beats — these Afro rhythms were new territory for both of us. Movement and dance are close to my heart, so a huge thank-you goes to choreographer Alise and the dancers. The whole video shoot was carried out with great care and love — we spent three days shoulder to shoulder, and all the hard work really paid off. I’m proud of our whole hardworking team,” shares Revolūcija.

In addition to Tablis, the track also features guitarist Egils Dandzbergs and Gita Laimīte. With the single “pieklājības pēc” Revolūcija announces her debut mini-album “sekcija”, which will be released on June 4.

The music video for “pieklājības pēc” was directed and written by Elza Dandzberga, with cinematography and editing by Ričards Zariņš. This marks the second video collaboration between Elza and Ričards. Filmed over three days across four locations, the video includes fifteen different scenes. It is rich in symbolism and visual references that convey peace, harmony, unity, and inner balance — from olive tree branches and a dragonfly on the back to a mandala shape and the yin-yang symbol. Fish and the newspaper “Pionieris” serve as callbacks to Revolūcija’s earlier singles “džeku virtuve” and “kumode”.

“The narrative of the song and video is from a female perspective, highlighting strong female friendship and support. The visuals are dominated by natural scenes, and the overall atmosphere is light — inspired by the Afro rhythms of the track itself. In my vision, meaning lies in the details — every element, reference, and symbol has its reason and place. Nothing is accidental,” explains director Elza.

The video features dancers from Pro/X and Space Dance Studio, with choreography by Alise Diure.

Watch the music video for “pieklājības pēc” on YouTube: https://youtu.be/8VHmYkI38U0

Revolūcija, whose real name is Lūcija Bāliņa, was born in Jūrmala and grew up in the Kauguri district. She began her journey in song writing by independently writing essays and poems. Currently, she is a first-year journalism student at RSU and an author to the HIPHOPS.LV platform.

Tablis is best known as a hip-hop producer and sound engineer with the ability to adapt his ear to almost any genre. As with all his works, he pays great attention to detail and every nuance of sound in this track as well.

Elza Dandzberga, who grew up in Lapmežciems and graduated from Jūrmalas Valsts ģimnāzija, started her path in visual arts at an early age through drawing, painting, and working with ceramics. She is currently studying audiovisual media arts at RISEBA and is a social media content creator for HIPHOPS.LV and Nākotnes parks.

Singer Amanda, like Lūcija, has been active in the youth scene in Jūrmala and developed her vocal skills both in her school’s ensemble and as a solo performer. She is currently the president of the Student Council at the Latvian Academy of Culture and also creates social media content for HIPHOPS.LV.

dzirnavnieki release their new single “Vējā”

Indie pop rock band dzirnavnieki release their new single.  reThe song ‘Vējā’ reminds us of the warm and beautiful summer moments we hold deeply in our hearts, yearning for them during the cold winter days.
The song was produced together with music producer Armands Varslavāns.

Band “Papīra lidmašīnas” releases new single “Peļķe ielas galā”

The song ”Peļķe ielas galā” is the first single from the band’s ’’Papīra lidmašīnas” upcoming second studio album.

“Weekends, sunshine, friends, and the feeling that tomorrow can wait. Sometimes you just need to forget what time it is, what you have to do tomorrow, and what others think. That’s what this song is about,” says the band’s lead vocalist, Rihards Bērziņš. “We invite everyone this summer to share their wildest, warmest, and most unforgettable moments. Let “Peļķe ielas galā’’ be a song for your heart, for relaxation, and for the holidays!”

Listen to the song here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zI0jI9Js3g0

“It’s exciting to start working on new songs and crafting new stories. We’ve got a lot of ideas piled up in the demo folder — now it’s time to turn them into something worth listening to. We haven’t set a release date for the new album yet, but I really hope we can make it happen in 2026,” shares band member and producer Juris Ludženieks.

’’Papīra lidmašīnas” released their debut album “Turbulence” in May 2024, featuring 12 tracks.

Listen to the album here: https://open.spotify.com/album/7wtuQAol21mtXLZj44y0jL?si=iWYPBSgURDeEfhwb3_p9Uw

Representatives of the Latvian Music Industry Head to Eurosonic Noorderslag Festival

Representatives of the Latvian music industry have traveled to “Eurosonic Noorderslag” – one of the leading festivals and conferences in the industry, taking place in Groningen, Netherlands, from January 17 to 20. This year, Latvia at the festival will be represented by only one music project – the new artist Might Delete Later. This project is created using a unique concept: making music from voice messages. Since its inception at an art gallery in Amsterdam, Might Delete Later has gained recognition both online and offline.

The performance of Might Delete Later will take place on Thursday, January 18, at “MAAS Front” club at 22:10.

“Eurosonic Noorderslag” or ESNS, founded in 1986, is one of the most important events in the European music industry, playing a significant role in the growth of artists’ careers. ESNS traditionally offers a platform for introducing new European music projects throughout Europe and beyond. The festival includes both a live music showcase and a wide range of conferences and panel discussions, which are an essential part of the festival.

Music Latvia has been part of the ESNS initiative ESNS Exchange since last year. ESNS Exchange promotes live performance opportunities for European music groups and artists at festivals outside their home countries and provides extensive media attention to these artists in collaboration with the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), music export offices, and local media.

Cimuška-Rekke says: “Music Latvia’s participation in the ESNS Exchange program opens wider doors for the Latvian music industry. It provides our artists and industry professionals with invaluable experience and visibility in the European music market. This program is a platform where we can not only showcase the diversity of Latvian music but also promote international cooperation by exchanging ideas and experiences. I am convinced that our participation in this initiative will open new opportunities and enhance our artists’ international recognition.”

Within the framework of the ESNS Exchange program, Music Latvia has also ensured that two young participants in the Latvian music industry, Emīlija Paula Andersone (M/Darbnīca) and Kristiāna Paegle (Netīrās Cilpas), can attend and participate in “Eurosonic Noorderslag” free of charge.

As delegates, the conference from Latvia is attended by Agnese Cimuška-Rekke (Music Latvia), Guna Zučika (Every Little Thing/Carnival Youth), Kristīne Kleina (Every Little Thing/Carnival Youth), Bruno Roze (I Love You records), Anastasija Konkina (Creative Europe), Timurs Tomsons (Lielais Dzintars), and Ģirts Majors (Positivus Festival). Majors, Zučika, and Kleina are also invited to participate in the ESNS conference discussion panels. Music Latvia Executive Director Cimuška-Rekke will participate in the European music export associations’ general meeting and, for the first time, in the ESNS Exchange program and activities.

Musician Jānis Niedra releases his third radio single

“To fall in love with every morning.” Musician Jānis Niedra releases his third radio single and invites listeners to never stop trying to become better themselves.

Song “Varēt labāk” was created by successfully continuing cooperation with Latvian musician/producer Chris Noah (Krists Indrishonoks), the mix and mastering was done by British sound engineer Kristtofer Hariss. Song also has a lyric video that was made by latvian artist Janta Jasjukeviča.