Category: News

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)

 

In celebration of their song’s Find My Way 50k streaming mark on Spotify within a less than a month, DJ’s and music producers [Ex] da Bass and REZarin are inviting all interesents to participate in a Find My Way remix contest. The highest rated remix, as well as 5 other best remixes will be released by the Day Dose Of House label.

“Find My Way is dedicated to the “challenging times”, in other words – the life stage period in 2020 when the world has lost it’s control and we’re all on our own. For the representatives of the entertainment and music industries, this year will always be remembered as very tough, when every person had to “find his way”. We found our way by creating a joint song which we’re submitting for your evaluation. While our mouths and noses are blocked, listen to our track. Our ears are still free and they’re what the song was made for. Besides, if you’ll also dance, then it will be a great combination, because physical activities strenghten health and eases the mind”, as been said by [Ex] da Bass and REZarin.

On Friday, 15th of January, Latvian indie-pop band Blue Jean Serenade release their newest song Your Heart.

The single is the very first song published after the debut album that was presented back in March 2020, just before the pandemic hit Latvia. The new single marks a new chapter in the band’s musical life.

The song Your Heart is about the feelings each of us hold inside. The feelings of love. The lead singer Jānis Niedra explains: “We are scared of revealing our love in fear of getting hurt and not receiving it back. We are afraid to ruin the relationships we already have, so we don’t go all in. Then we play out the confession of the other person and how it would feel. How wonderful it would be. This idea warms the heart, even if it is not meant to be. In the end, we mostly regret the things we haven’t done.”

The song first came to be in a song-writing camp held in Riga. It was further developed in the creative camp Blue Jean Serenade had in the July 2020 in the countryside of Latvia. The record is made together with the Latvian producer and musician Aleksis Luriņš. Mix and master is made by Andis Ansons.

Blue Jean Serenade dates back to 2016 when the lead singer Janis and the drummer Tomass started playing together. The team has changed over the years, and now they play and write as a five-person band. In 2016 the band released an EP in English called All My Friends Care About Celebrities, Well, I Don’t and then turned to writing in their native language as well. The band has held concerts all around the country and participated in Reeperbahn Festival 2018 in Hamburg. In March 2020 Blue Jean Serenade released their debut album Prieks, no kura neizaug. Laiks, kuru neaizmirst. (Latvian for for Happiness that can’t be outgrown. Time that can’t be forgotten.)

After three weeks in Radio SWH competition for new artists called “Priekšnams” “Taurud” is the 3rd best.

“I’ve Been Carrying My Past Lives With Me” is about becoming free from our past. “Taurud” said: The only thing ever messing with our heads is either our memories we are collecting like souvenirs or projections of the future. One is programming how we react and deal with things, and the other causes discomfort, cos we’re afraid of all the unknown. The song is about breaking free, being in the moment. It’s like a friendly tap on the shoulder saying You got this, it’s all in our head, and I am convinced that anyone can overcome anything. Be inspired.

This year has started with new aspirations. The musician is hoping to be in Latvia for spring to present his double single – Latvian and English version. Like many artists, I am not making any income during this time, but I am still looking forward to getting ready for April to go home and bring everyone present – new music. My birthday is in April. This time around I’d want to offer a song in Latvian as well, to get closer to my Latvian listeners. Fingers crossed, we will see each other soon, and I will be able to play live. We’re working on some live streams right now: says “Taurud”.

“Taurud” and his team would love to release the album this year, but there is no chance to continue the recording process because the situation is the way it is in the UK. The songwriter is ready to get back to work as soon as he will be allowed. The song for the spring release was recorded early last year and finished remotely. “Taurud” says: Nothing will stop me, man. I’m pushing forward!

On 6th November, Latvian recording artist Chris Noah releases a deluxe version of the EP “Distance” which came out on the 20th March. Alongside the original songs from the EP, the deluxe version includes recently released single “This Is The Night”, its live acoustic version as well as a stripped-down version of a fan favourite River.

““This Is The Night” was recorded after the release of EP “Distance” and even during the writing process, I felt that it would fit very well with the other songs in the EP. It’s not only strong as a single, but it also serves as a great addition to EP “Distance” and gives the necessary contrast between the songs,” says Chris.

“This Is The Night” was released on 23rd October and came out with a music video.

Regarding the inclusion of the acoustic tracks in the EP, Chris comments: “I write most of my songs on my acoustic guitar and only during the production process, by adding various instruments and other bits and bobs, the characteristics of the recording are shaped. It’s great to have big production and it’s always fun to do that, but sometimes it’s worth returning to the basics which for me is my voice and guitar. Doing a live recording is always special as there’s room for natural noises and you also seem more vulnerable as a musician since there’s less editing. I think it might reveal a new side of me to people who follow my music. The stripped-down version of “River”, which is included in the EP, has become a fan favourite at gigs where I don’t play with a full band, and this version gives a rawer feeling to the story behind the song.”

On 6th December, despite the ongoing situation in the world, Chris Noah is playing two shows in one of the most beautiful cinemas in Latvia – Splendid Palace. Chris will be showcasing his talent to his rapidly growing fanbase in his homeland, whilst taking all the necessary precautions to stay safe.

“Taurud” is a singer and songwriter from Jurmala, Latvia, currently based in Manchester UK. On the 12th of August, he is releasing his debut single which is the first taste from the 2021 upcoming album.  “I Keep Loving You” is available on Spotify, Apple Music, Deezer, and other streaming services.

Debut single “I Keep Loving You” talks about true unconditional love.  “Taurud”: “It’s a song about feelings that makes us human, those feelings which can literally bend our reality. Feelings that can turn black and white into colour, feelings that can awaken us from sleepwalking. Suddenly everything is real. So often we’ re trying to put each other in these invisible boxes to fit for us and if we can’t our feelings alter. This song is about the love we are ready to give regardless of someone’s shortcomings or pain they cause. I hope it will become people’s song and others will use it to tell someone how much they love them. I wrote it for that.”

Listen to “I Keep Loving You” here

“Taurud” is a culmination of dreamy and heartfelt sounds, experimenting with different levels of intimacy. Taurud touch acts as a refuge for those who need a break from the busy world whizzing by. It’s that feeling of being seemingly adrift in the sea of our own realities, losing yourself, hitting rock bottom and finding your feet once again. His music attempts to shine a little light into a dark room, with a desire to spread hope, love, and peace throughout.

A musician who grew up listening “Pink Floyd” and, “Queen” from age of 5 says about himself: “I’m someone who learned everything himself. Never had teachers who’ d show me how to write songs or play guitar. I started writing when I was around 15 in my first band. Still doing it really really impulsively. Very often I can’t sleep cos I have to create a new song.  It feels like I’m like an athena who is receiving signals and just writing them down, often it doesn’ t feel like I am actually writing it. Everything is energy and is vibrating on different frequencies. Theoretically, we all are music.”

“Taurud” is releasing his debut single this year. It’s the beginning of very focused work to introduce Latvia and other countries to his art. Currently working on his debut album with top musicians from Manchester, recording at “The Big Red Studio” with Jake Evans who’s collaborated with so many great musicians including “New Order”. The upcoming record will include 8 original songs. “Taurud‘ says: “We are recording it all live man, like back in the day. We are capturing real moments in the studio. It’s such real music. I’m so excited.”

On November 16, 2020 a synth-rock band Dani Ryan from Riga released a new single called „Komett”. This single is the third release from the band’s upcoming album „PARTY !”, which will be out very soon – just a week after the single.

The song was released along with the music video, which was filmed and edited independently by the participants of the Dani Ryan project. It took three days to shoot the video – a team of 7 people was involved in the filming process. However all further processing of the filmed material and its editing was done by Dani Ryan’s lead singer –  Daniil Ravinsky. Daniil was also responsible for creating all the visual effects and animation in this and previous music videos of the band.  According to various calculations, the budget of the music video ranged from 20 to 35 euros, including food and drinks for the film crew and paying for taxis to deliver all the necessary equipment to the filming locations.

The plot of the video refers the viewer to the first single and music video of the band – RADIO ANNA. The song and the video tell us about the story of the main character Anna and her journey into outer space. Both the song „Komett” and the music video for it will tell us about what happened in Anna’s life before her travels and about the sacrifice she had to make to make her dream come true –  become an astronaut.

„Komett” focuses on the difficult choice between a dream and a happy, but ordinary life, the emotions of two people and, of course, love.

The lyrics to the song’s rap verse were written by Dani Ryan’s bass player Nikita Andrejevs, who also played the main character in the band’s new music video. An interesting fact is that at the time of writing the verse, Nikita had no idea what the song will be about and what kind of music it will have. All that was at his disposal – the rhythm and general theme of the future song , space precisely. This was done on purpose so that the already written lyrics and music would not be reflected in the lyrics of this rap verse.

The entire music video creation process took about two weeks – the same as it takes to review and approve a song for release on streaming platforms such as Spotify or Apple Music. The goal was to release a high-quality and interesting music video along with the release of the single. That is why the members of the Dani Ryan project invested in the creation of the video not only the maximum amount of their energy, sacrificing free time and rest after their day jobs, but also a piece of their soul.

The Dani Ryan team would like to express special gratitude for the magical mastering of the track to sound engineer Kaspars Greizis and the band Barta  for providing the filming location.

Dani Ryan was founded in 2015. In 2019, the band began its main activity, prior to this Dani Ryan changed members several times. At the end of last year Dani Ryan released its debut album OPEN.

The band core consists of three permanent members  – 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 release of Dani Ryan’s second album is scheduled for late 2020.

“Colorful World” is about equality in the world where we all are so different but in essence so ambiguously colorful.

This song is made in rock style, which is very different from singer’s daily style. This is her first original composition as well – she is the author for lyrics and music.

Song shows the world in all its glory. Colorful world where we live but in daily rush don’t notice. We have to notice the usual things in very different view. “ I am confident that every human being will find something interesting in this song” says Karīna Laugale.

Growing up in a musical family Karīna started singing and playing piano at an early age. She is a Riga Dome Choir school graduate. At the moment she studies at Jazeps Vitols Latvian Academy of Music jazz vocal department.

Karīna has participated in X Factor’ with Koukie band, as well as in the festivals Saulkrasti Jazz’ (LV), Ventspils Groove (LV), Moscow Spring A Capella (RUS), Noorte Jazz Festival (EE), etc.

Karīna has participated in X Factor’ with Koukie band, as well as in the festivals Saulkrasti Jazz’ (LV), Ventspils Groove (LV), Moscow Spring A Capella (RUS), Noorte Jazz Festival (EE), etc.

Lyrics and music author is Karina Laugale. “Colorful world” producer and arranger is Jānis Bukums, Arturs Liede and sound engineer Kārlis Šteinmanis. Recorded in “KS Records – Unity Audio”  featuring group “Jānis Bukums”.

Lyrics video author is Rita Bērziņa

Publisher LRMA records