Category: News

On November 23rd Latvian synth-rock band Dani Ryan released its new album titled „PARTY!”. This is the band’s second album. Dani Ryan’s previous album was released a year ago, in December 2019.

Unlike the band’s previous album, which was created in the time period between 2011 and 2019, this album was written entirely during this year. However the members of Dani Ryan had to choose 11 out of 25 written songs for „PARTY!”, so the music band already has ready material to create another full-fledged album. The point is to realease a b-side for „PARTY!”, which will be called „Afterparty!”. Its release is tentatively scheduled for the spring of 2021.

The goal was to create an interesting, dynamic album that would drastically differ in mood from Dani Ryan’s first album. The decision was made to use the elements of classic rock music and combine theme with unusual and unique sound effects – as, for example, in the songs „RADIO ANNA” or „Insta”. Meanwhile the song „Final call” is somewhat reminiscent of an indie rock classic. As the project developed, songs with female vocal parts also appeared – „Bring a little lovin’” and „Relax”. Furthermore, the album also got complemented with an unexpected electroclash track from Dani Ryan’s bass-player called „Touch my dress” and a spontaneously recorded song in Latvian „Meloman”.

Just like any creative process, the making of this album had many interesting moments. For example, the title track „Party!” went through many changes. Five different versions of the recording were reviewed, the lyrics were rewritten three times and the song was re-mixed many times too. Another track, „Meloman”, on the other hand, was written in one evening and all the instruments and vocals were recorded from the first try.

Since the band members wanted to see „PARTY!” as not just a collection of Dani Ryan’s songs, but as a complete piece of art, much attention was paid to compiling the sequence of songs in the album. It was changed about 15 times until the desired composition and effect were achieved. The team also took creating an album cover very seriously – its appearance has repeatedly changed during the making of the album.

The entire album was composed and recorded at Dani Ryan’s home studio, with the only exception being the track „Touch my dress” – all the credits of this track go to the band’s bass player Nikita Andreyev. The rest of the album’s material was recorded and mixed by Dani Ryan’s frontman and leader Daniil Ravinsky at his home. In turn, he would like to thank sound engineer Kaspars Greizis for giving advice in the process of working on the sound and for the final mastering of the album.

Dani Ryan was founded in 2015. In 2019 the band began to be active, but before that the band changed several members.

There are three people performing in Dani Ryan on a regular basis – Daniil Ravinsky (composer, keyboardist, guitarist, lead singer, creator of visual effects and posters), Janis Zarins (drummer) and Nikita Andrejevs (bass-player and backing vocalist).

The coolest Latvian jazz-funk band, “Very Cool People”, does not intend to stop its flow of creativity; the band is releasing a new single dedicated to the group’s trumpet player and kebab tycoon – Oskars Ozoliņš.

The band’s biggest fans have already heard the tribute to Oskars as VCP have played the song in all the concerts that were possible in these unusual times. The group’s spokesman and guitar guru, Elvijs Grafcovs, explains that he wrote the song to call Oskars to sound checks. “It is vital from time to time, as he is often late for sound checks. Being the owner of a kebab empire and a kebab mogul is time-consuming and Oskars regularly flies to Abu Dhabi and Ankara to find out the latest trends in kebab recipes and implement them into his powerful brand – Oskar’s Kebab, his fast food empire which stretches from Helsinki to Casablanca and from London to Ankara,” says Elvijs.

“This story probably sounds very delicious, because it turns out that there are people who have really been looking for Oskar’s kebabs,” says Elvijs with a tireless smile on his face. “I have told this story on Latvian and Lithuanian televisions, as well as at festivals and concerts in Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Romania, Hungary and Germany. For example, one Lithuanian fan was very angry that Oskars was not in one of our concerts (Andris Augstkalns played with us instead), because Very Cool People’s “Oskar!” had become his favorite song, so he came together with the rest of the crowd and desperately tried to call Oskars, however … He also met us afterperforming at the “Nida Jazz” festival in August last year and shouted desperately: “Oskar!!!”

There was nothing left but to ask him to record a video message for Oskars which was so emotional & true that we decided to use it as an introduction to the new single, replacing the words of outrage of this southern fan with the sounds of Oskars’ trumpet.” The energetic single comes together with a no less enthusiastic video. It is the story of social inequality within the group. All Very Cool People members are equal, but some are more equal than others. In the clip Oskars goes to a concert in a separate car & in addition, he also has a separate back stage area. The video also depicts the group’s view of the current situation in Latvia and the world caused by the pandemic. Most restaurants and other quality catering brands are denied the opportunity to work. The only ones that continue to operate successfully are fast food restaurants. As you know, food is a big part of the local culture, as is music anddance. Accordingly, the culture of many nations of the world is currently suffering, so in the commercials accompanying the single, VCP are ironic about the advertising campaigns of large corporations and the stories of their lucky employees in these companies.

The group has gone even further and has created the Oskar’s Kebab corporate design logo with the advertising slogan: “Oskar’s Kebab – Feast Like A Beast!”, as well as a webpage, and had branded napkins and t-shirts printed. “We also wrote the Oskar’s Kebab jingle and filmed Oskar’s Kebab commercials,” continues Elvijs. “In the commercial Oskars is portrayed as an Arab sheikh, the boss of the kebab empire. And logically the Oskar’s Kebab website is also up and running where you can try to place orders…”

Singer and pianist Katrina Gupalo has just released a new album of music by Latvia’s legendary composer Imants Kalnins “7 skumjas zvaigznes” (7 Sad Stars). It offers 15 popular songs, including three songs featuring English-language lyrics by Ojars Eriks Kalnins. Along with the album, Gupalo is also releasing a new video filmed in the United States based on the single “Take It or Leave It”.

“This album is very unique because it’s a concentration of energy and love that expresses itself through its musical and visual presentation. Presently all live concerts are cancelled for the time being and in order to produce this album, I sold my childhood home in Dikli, Latvia. And I don’t regret it for a moment because I am convinced this music will bring joy, inspiration, and love during this difficult pandemic period,” Katrina Gupalo revealed. “We created the album together with people who are very close and loved by me. For example, the cover illustration was done by my mother Vera Pauksa. The music video was created by my best friend, choreographer Gabija Birina, despite the fact that we live on different continents. Ojars Eriks Kalnins adds a totally new dimension to the album since he not only introduced me to Imants Kalnins’ songs in English, but managed to produce a new lyric for one song with great inspiration and lightning speed (“Butterfly’s Satiny Scent”). I am so grateful to everyone on my very talented team who helped bring this little wonder to life in such a short time!”

The album features a new single and music video based on the song “Take It or Leave It”, which was written 15 years ago but now appears in a totally new musical arrangement. The music video was filmed in Naples Roller Hockey, Veterans Community Park, Florida, USA. It is the joint effort of choreographer and dancer Gabija Birina and dancer Daniel White and tells a tale of unsettled human nature and the complex choices we must make in our lives. In their expressive performance, the dancers reveal a story about love and intimate relations, which are woven through by tenderness, hatred, pain and hope. The video was created by artists Akorede Amole (USA) and Vadim Glushkov (Latvia.)

“It’s been extremely gratifying to work with such a gifted artist as Katrina. She has breathed new life into Imants Kalnins’ legendary songs. She not only speaks to a new generation of fans, but is bringing Imants’ music to a broader international audience. “Take It or Leave It” is song about life choices we all face in a time of change. We may look to others for help, but ultimately we must each decide for ourselves,” said lyricist Ojars Eriks Kalnins.

Katrina Gupalo’s album “7 skumjas zvaigznes” was recorded live, with voice and piano as they would be heard in concert, without any post-production technical corrections.

The album includes both popular and lesser known – or even forgotten – Imants Kalnins’ compositions. For example, “Let’s Sing of the Rivers” is here with its original English lyrics, although most Latvians will recognize it from its popular Latvian-language translation “Ar straumēm uz jūru”.

Katrina Gupalo performs all the compositions with her own voice and piano arrangements, but with great respect for the composers’ original versions. The album was recorded with Super HD quality and was produced by Aleksandr Volk using his unique “Wolk Recording Technologies” microphones, which are sensitive enough to pick up the most subtle electro-magnetic vibrations. The recordings were made on a Yamaha C6 concert piano at the Music and drama space “OratoriO” and piano salon @152 in Riga. The album design was rendered by Anastasija Prola and Ilya Kolesnik, printed by “Skaistāk” and includes photos by Aleksandra Volk.

The 22-year-old singer/songwriter has returned with his single ‘RUNNING’ to give his listeners a better insight on what story the upcoming debut album ‘PENUMBRA’ is based on. Patriks describes his new song: This song portraits the process after a breakup when you realize that the closest person you have is inevitably becoming a stranger, so there is nothing else to do except run away from all the pain and emotions. Patriks identifies with such genres as: R&B/Soul, Alternative Pop, Singer/Songwriter, Bedroom Pop, Neo Soul and others.

The annual Christmas project “Snowman Express” featuring singers Ralfs Eilands and Kristīne Prauliņa will not take place this year, but Very Cool People have decided not to leave the audience without their beloved “Snowman Express” and offer a new Christmas single – “The Little Drummer Boy”.

The song, recorded in both Latvian and English, is based on the story of a little poor drummer, whose only gift for Christmas is a drum solo, which the group’s “little drummer”, Andris Buikis, delivers to all listeners at the end of the song. Elvijs Grafcovs together with Māris Jēkabsons has created new arrangements for the old holiday song, dressing “The Little Drummer Boy” in a very nice drum’n’bass stylistic suit. The new single was recorded in several studios in Latvia. The song was mixed at the “Ciemupe Productions” and mastered by Erls Holders in the studio “HDQTRZ” in Atlanta, Georgia, USA.

The recording was made by: Kristīne Prauliņa – vocal; Ralfs Eilands – vocal; Elvijs Grafcovs – guitar;  Māris Jēkabsons – tenor sax;  Kristaps Lubovs – bariton sax;  Laura Rozenberga – trombone;  Oskars Ozoliņš – Trumpet;  Māris Vitkus – keyboards;  Jānis Olekšs – bass;  Andris Buiķis – drums.

The video of the new single was filmed in several very colorful places in Latvia, from a small family shop in Stende to the city center of Riga and even the Pinki sleeping area. The music video was directed by Rimants Iržikevičs, who has made his debut in this genre.

Artwork made by Mārtiņš Legzdiņš and the music can be heard in all the streaming services and the best radio stations.

Latvian hard rock band “Everstate” introduces to a new single and a video Trying Times from the band’s debut EP “Inside Out” which contains 5 songs.

Trying times and the EP were produced by Greg Haver (Manic Street Preachers, Bullet For My Valentine, etc.), recorded and mixed by sound engineer Clint Murphy (Enter Shikari, etc.) at Sound Division Studios, Riga, Latvia. Masters were done by Ryan Smith at the Sterling Sound Studio in Nashville, USA.

The band’s leader and guitarist Uldis Blazevics says that “Trying Times” is a song about inner experiences that occur when a person searches for his identity and improves himself. It’s the “good pain” that a person expects and accepts because he knows that the outcome is expected to be positive and rewarding.”

The band’s EP Inside Out, as well as the single “Trying Times” are available on major music streaming websites such as Spotify, Amazon, Deezer, YouTube, etc.

2020 was not only a year of the pandemic, but also a year of jubilee of two Masters of classical music – Frederic Chopin and Ludwig van Beethoven. Even though this year has been very difficult for classical music and it was not possible to hold many concerts dedicated to the jubilee of Chopin and Beethoven, musicians all over the world, including Andrejs Osokins, are looking for creative ways to reach their audience and let the music survive. The project dedicated to the jubilee of Frederic Chopin came to life in cooperation with the Embassy of Poland in Latvia. It is a musical greeting that, by traveling virtually around the world, will reach the music lovers of the outstanding Polish composer and remind them of unchanging values.

“It is especially important that in a virtual environment, where there are so many pieces of frightful and tragic news, we also give people beauty, spirituality and harmony through art and music. This project will share the hope that we will endure. Music and art are the values that will give us strength. Chopin’s music contains everything I consider so crucial – the unrestrained temperament, subtlety, spirituality, spontaneity and tenderness, wit, danceability and elegance. One can listen to his melodies for evermore! So much time has passed, but human nature and soul remain unchanged,” says pianist Andrejs Osokins.

“The past 2020 has been a difficult one for all of us. We have to face many challenges and we are denied so many opportunities. However, in spite of everything, I would like to emphasize that this year has once again revealed the depths of creativity that are lying dormant inside of us. Thanks to the project “Musical Greeting”, which has been prepared in collaboration with the outstanding Latvian pianist Andrejs Osokins, we, despite the pandemic, are able to reach you with the help of Frederic Chopin’s music. May it bring you a ray of hope! Today, just as many years ago, when this music raised the spirits of Poles longing for freedom, let it inspire and herald a better future, even if we have to wait a while for it,” chargé d’affaires of the Republic of Poland, Consul Małgorzata Hejduk-Gromek.

The musical greeting includes two masterpieces by Frederic Chopin – “Nocturne op.9 No.2” and “Etude op. 25 No.12”. The video was created by Kaspars Kambars and Ainars Krauklis, recorded by sound director Aleksandrs Volks. It was recorded on Yamaha concert piano at the Piano salon @152 in Riga.

Pamirt is a dark music trio from Baltics that brings together musicians Kristiana Karklina (voice, piano), Edvards Percevs (drums) and Edgars Gultnieks (guitar, bass) previously known for their work with black metal act Eschatos. This collaboration started as a solo project of Kristiana, but soon after Edgars and Edvards joined to add guitar textures and rhythm. Most part of this album was composed while residing in Berlin in fall of 2018 where Kristiana goes often to work on music.

“It was a new experience for me to have the control over all artistic decisions while making this record over a period of almost 2 years. My academic background is in art history so visual arts also play a great role in making of this record. About a month before the world entered the state of global health crisis, we created album art for Mausoleum. We wanted to create a sense of grotesque, lonely celebration, inspired partly by Pushkin’s work “A Feast in Time of Plague” and personal experiences while working in the field of contemporary art. Needless to say that we could not even imagine how prophetic this work will be,” says Kristiana.

Mausoleum was nominated for The National Latvian music awards “Zelta mikrofons” as The Best Experimental record of 2020.

On December 21, when many gurus and spiritual leaders predict the beginning of the new world, Taurud comes out with a new song ‘I’m Changing’. Listen to it on Spotify, Apple Music, Bandcamp, and other platforms.

The title ‘I’m Changing’ undoubtedly sets the expectation of what the song is about. Taurud describes: So here we are at the end of 2020. What’s ahead of us is still unknown. However, one thing we all feel and know for sure is that things are changing rapidly. Universal energy and information always have been flowing through me, and I feel it so vividly that we are approaching something incredible no matter how hard it might be to believe it right at this moment. It’s time to get rid of everything that no longer serves us, it’s time to take the wheel and steer towards the light with confidence. This song is a mantra that will help us along the way.

Every one of us goes through many different experiences and we always look back and reflect on them by the end of the year. It’s a special moment. You can feel a bit of that festive vibe in the song. It’s a collaboration with Tom Stott from Manchester band LUX. (Listen to their latest single here) Tom Stott plays keyboards on all Taurud’s tracks and they are going to continue working on records together.

We can expect more inspiring music from Taurud next year as he promises some surprises as well. His journey began in August with the song ‘I Keep Loving You’ was followed by ‘I’ve Been Carrying My Past Lives With Me’ in November and, ‘I’m Changing’ is the one to wrap this year up. The song is about what I feel is the most important right now – our growth – says the artist himself.

From home to home: this could be a motto of a project, created in 2020 by a Latvian composer and pianist Edgars Cīrulis, which resulted in an altruistic collaboration of many people and a composition called «silence». The composition for voice and orchestra, composed by Edgars last spring upon his return to his Latvian home, is based on a poem by Aleksandra Line. The music is recorded by 19 professional musicians from Latvia, Romania, Slovenia, Sweden and Denmark, sound production done by Toms Lisments, video art — by Patrīcija Vilsone. This way the composer has united different worlds which couldn’t have normally met, especially in 2020.

«Last spring I returned to the safety of my childhood home, and I had time. I’ve finished this new piece for voice and orchestra and was very excited to premiere it, but then last year changed things and I had no idea when I’d be able to hear it played by real people instead of my notation software. So I reached out to my friends and colleagues and invited them to lend their voice to this piece — to my great surprise, so many of them decided to participate in the project. This way, we could unite different parts of the world in one place», — says Edgars Cīrulis about his composition.

This piece was specially composed for a Latvian singer Beāte Zviedre — as Edgars says, the voice that speaks volumes. Cīrulis has collaborated with Beāte many times and greatly appreciates her musical potential. This also isn’t the first collaboration with Patrīcija Vilsone, a young Latvian artist and student of Latvian Academy of Art, which has dedicated many months to original illustrations which evolved into the music video.

The lyrics are written by a poet Aleksandra Line who explains her choice of the topic: ««silence» isn’t necessarily the time after everything has ended — quite often that’s a moment before. Last year has been too silent for all of us, especially the music industry, but it’s really important to remember that silence isn’t boring or empty at all — it can contain lots of colorful things. For example, a precious word or sound can be born in silence».

«silence» was created by:

Composition — Edgars Cīrulis

Lyrics — Aleksandra Line

Art and video — Patrīcija Vilsone

Mix and master — Toms Lisments

And recorded by:

Voice — Beāte Zviedre (Latvia)
Piano — Edgars Cīrulis (Latvia)
Violins — Dita Celitāne (Latvia), Ivars Brīnums (Latvia)

Viola — Marius Ungureanu (Romania), Ivars Brīnums (Latvia)

Cello — Sarma Gabrēna (Latvia)

Double bass — Jānis Rubiks (Latvia)

Flute — Alise Golovacka (Latvia), Rūta Sīpola (Latvia)

Oboe — Eva Vrtacnik (Slovenia)

Clarinets — Anna Gāgane (Latvia), Ciprian Dancu (Romania)

Bassoon — Katrīne Kuģe (Latvia)

Bass clarinet — Kristaps Lubovs (Latvia)

Trumpet — Dāvis Sedols (Latvia)

French horn — Erik Sandberg (Sweden)

Trombones — Krists Liepa (Latvia), Jonas Lindh (Denmark)

Percussion — Ēriks Miezis (Latvia)