The past 18 months have been tough for many, and isolation took its toll on all of us. Our new song FREE is a supportive letter to a friend who struggles to find his place in a world that had gone slightly mad, more so for some than others.
Soundcloud: Bel Tempo – Free
Celebrating a slow return to normal and their new song FREE, the guys form Bel Tempo will be playing their first ever live show this Friday at AOK Circus Festival.
The song is a reminder that no one is a superhuman, and it’s totally okay that from time to time, we find ourselves on a day when there is a whole list of work that needs to be done, but somehow nothing goes according to the plan. There are countless excuses, other less important or even not important things are done first.
The singer says: “From my experience, I can say that unproductive days will come from time to time, it should be considered, but there is no point in feeling infinitely bad about it. We just have to assume that it is perfectly normal to go one day without feeling guilty, that absolutely nothing has been done, because you know internally that there will be a new day and new possibilities tomorrow, but a break is needed today!” The song is in English, and it is available on various music streaming platforms. (Spotify, Apple Music, Youtube Music, Amazon Music, iTunes, Pandora, Tidal etc.)
The Latvian indie-pop band “Blue Jean Serenada” release a new single “Pāris labas dienas” that goes out to all the unforgettable summer romances and the nostalgia that comes with them once we know that those days are behind us.
The producer of the single is the Latvian artist Ansis Kolmanis, also known as ansis
Electronic music producer MICKEEN (Miks Pinzulis) in collaboration with Katrīna Kreile on july 17, released the single “Bad Habits”.
Katrīna Kreile about the song: Wanting something that you can’t have is one of the most annoying feelings ever, but it’s not something that we purposely choose to do, it’s a pattern that we can’t break that easily. This song is about how we often unconsciously catch feelings for the ones we can’t have while friend-zoning everyone else no matter how good they might be. And each time that happens, our guardian angels probably get very disappointed in our choices. They send us some great people into our lives because they only want what’s best for us, but unfortunately we get attracted only to the ones who are emotionally or physically unavailable. Sorry, guardian angels, there’s nothing we can do about it, just like with any other bad habits.
Guitar player and composer Rihards Lībietis has released a new single “Transcending Parallels” from upcoming album “Lines & Miniatures” due to be released at the end of October. A music video for the single directed by Jānis Romanovskis has also been released.
The new composition “Transcending Parallels” is a story of transcending various borders – real, imaginary, either created inside ourselves or established outside – and achieving a next level.
The single was recorded under guidance of sound designer Valērijs Černejs in “No Fuss Audio”, Tukums and “AMFO Music” studio in Riga. Drummer Toms Kagainis is also featured on the record not only recording drums, but also percussion elements by using various objects found in the studio in a stroke of inspiration – kitchenware, knives, metal water bottle among many others.
Rihards Lībietis says: “At the beginning the idea behind the project was to create a guitar album – by using various playing techniques, looping etc, but strictly keeping the focus on one instrument – but, as the writing process started, music evolved and it was clear that more sound layers should be added with different instruments. This track “Transcending Parallels” actually was the first demo for the album. It’s still possible to perform this song by using just one guitar and a loop station. Of course, the sound is now on a completely another level thanks to the inspired effort of Toms Kagainis and phenomenal support from Valērijs Černejs with his insight on achieving a great studio sound.”
Its director and DOP Jānis Romanovskis: “Rihards sent me the music and let me roam free with ideas. After listening to the song many times, this video came together – a little bit about rush, about getting lost in labyrinths. We filmed using timelapse, technique which is usually used in breathtaking nature videos, but this time let us play with time – allowing us to press long filming episodes in a few seconds.” The new album “Lines & Miniatures” is set for release on October 26th, being the second original music solo album by Rihards Lībietis. It can be considered an ideological successor to musicians first solo album “RL Elektronix”, released in 2015. “Lines & Miniatures” will feature 10 compositions and appearances from Toms Kagainis and other guest artists. Album was created with the support of AKKA/LAA Author Scholarship.
“Transcending Parallels” can be heard on music streaming platforms, including Spotify.
Rihards Lībietis is a musician and music author, regularly performing with various Latvian musicians and bands, mainly in “Rihards Lībietis Orchestra”. Rihards also composes and performs music for theatre plays and contemporary dance performances, such as “Upe” (2020) in Liepāja Theatre, “Bannija Manro nāve” (2017) and “Izraidītie” (2014) in Dailes Theatre and others.
Latvian electronic music producer Mickeen (Miks Pinzulis) in collaboration with Ods (Valters Grīnfogels) releases the track “Lights Off”.
Ods about the song: Track lyrics are about all the negative things that one says to another even not knowing them personally. These words dishearten and ridicule a person so much that they don’t even think they’re suitable for love. Later in the song the character finds someone who loves them voluntarily, despite the things which are said about them. I believe that all people, also those who do not express their feelings, will love with all their heart those who’ll see in them something more than complexes and defects which all people possess.
This is the second track from Mickeen’s EP “Bad Habits” which comes out in late August. EP will contain artists such as Katrīna Kreile, Ods and Zeļģis.
Latvian rapper ZEĻĢIS in collaboration with producer MCKN an rappers Ods and Goča release single “PUIKAS”.
‘’The song tells the story of an exciting and colorful path from the countryside to the city. All artists in this piece are from small towns hence the following topic seemed appropriate. To some small town have left bitter experience, while other have had the best years so far but now we all are in Riga where we try to fulfill or plans and go towards our dreams and doing what we love’’.
ZEĻĢIS is a rapper from Lēdmane and have started his activities less than two years ago he have released several singles, however has gained greater visibility through participation in “371 clique” project.
It’s worth mentioning that this is not the first collaboration with Ods and Goča, they have made rap group “mid” and right at this moment are working on one of their first projects together.
The new “Light Variations EP” is out on July 30, gathering 4 solo variations of the band’s songs.
Listen to “Light Variations EP” on all major streaming platforms
While the band is on a creative break for a while, 2021 has started with new ideas, perspectives and energy for Kristaps. While also working on brand new songs and a couple of collaborations, he has re-imagined some of the songs from the band’s LP “Light Between Oceans” (2020) into new solo versions that all come together on the new “Light Variations EP”. The EP combines minimalistic beats, vibey guitar sounds and the essentials – stories and melodies. One of the 4 songs featured on the EP is “White Wanderer” and it was the initial push towards the idea of an EP.
“Playing around with samples and minimalistic beats suddenly opened up a whole new world to me. I had never done that before. It was a chance for me to explore new sounds, strip the songs down to their bare minimum and then build them up again from a new perspective. I had a lot of fun in the process,” says Kristaps.
Each of the 4 songs from “Light Variations EP” will be accompanied by a simple, one-shot video filmed at Kristaps’ countryside house and its surroundings.
Playing together since 2016, the Latvian four-piece includes Rihards Libietis (guitar), Nauris Babris (drums), Toms Kursitis (bass) and Kristaps Bedritis (vocals, guitar, songwriting). Pacific K released their debut EP “Blue Fall” in 2017, followed by the full-length studio album “Light Between Oceans” in 2020, gaining praise from their listeners, as well as some industry professionals. The album was rich and colourful in sound, featuring some additional instruments (flute, piano, trumpet, Arabic oud, hang drum, percussions), as well as a couple of guest artists, including the world-renowned French jazz trumpeter Erik Truffaz on the song “Castaway”.
Pacific K have many live gigs under their belt, including major festivals in Latvia (Positivus, Laba Daba, Playground, Piens Fest), RIGaLIVE showcase, shows in the Baltics and a few appearances at the global live concert series Sofar Sounds. In 2017, they opened for one of their influences – the British band Fink. In 2019, they appeared at a local late-night show, played several concerts, including a couple of gigs with the British band Eyre Llew and had their music featured in the documentary short “Mind Your Step”, as well as a promo video for the brand “BEE IN”.
New Latvian indie rock band “Tasteful” release their new song “Bonfire”. Inspired by the Lumineers and Ed Sheeran, This song was written by a campfire beside close friends.
“Bonfire” is about a selfless being, that gives all of its love, soul, and energy to others and asks nothing back. So we praise this being: “Don’t burn out!”
The song recording was made with support from LaIPA. The band is releasing an acoustic live version of the song, which was filmed in a forest beside a campfire.
“Tasteful” members met while studying at Ventspils Music highschool. The members of band have developed their musical sound by playing in other ensembles, as well as in the Ventspils Big Band. The songwriter is the group’s main vocalist, guitarist and keyboardist Gunārs Gaumigs, the group’s main guitarist and good spirit – Eduards Bariss, the groovy bassist Artis Patriks Mazalis and the energetic drummer – Markuss Ābelītis.
The members of the band intend to write music in creatively different music directions. Their compositions guide the listener through a journey of love, nature, and doubt, painting with sound effects and synths, including alternative, dream pop, and psychedelic rock flavors.
Each one of them have different musical interests, which fortunately connect together in the creative process, and that makes them full of taste or Tasteful.
During the summer, the band has already played a handful of concerts, also supporting for the Latvian rock band “Dzelzs Vilks” during their concert in Pāvilosta.