Open Call: Baltic Focus at Ireland Music Week 2025

Ireland Music Week 2025 is set to welcome a groundbreaking international focus with the launch of “Baltic Focus at Ireland Music Week”, a collaborative initiative between Music Latvia, Music Estonia, and the Lithuanian Music Business Association. Taking place in Dublin this October, the initiative aims to spotlight emerging music and industry talent from the Baltic states — Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia — on one of Europe’s most respected showcase festival stages. From the Baltic states, 3 artists and 15 professionals will be selected altogether.

Ireland Music Week, running from October 2–3, 2025, is known for its rigorous artist selection and impactful industry programming, including panels, workshops, and networking sessions. Now, with Baltic Focus, the festival expands its geographical reach and inclusivity, recognizing the vibrant and innovative music scenes in the Baltic region. The Baltic Focus marks the first major presence of Baltic artists at the festival, opening new avenues for cultural exchange and industry collaboration. The project not only introduces the distinct musical voices of the region to international audiences but also strengthens ties with Ireland’s Baltic diaspora of over 55,000 people.

One act from each of the three countries will be selected through an open call, with the final line-up chosen by the three national export offices and Ireland Music Week representatives. Selected artists will receive a 500 EUR performance fee, backline support, and up to 1500 EUR in travel and accommodation reimbursement. All the selected artists will receive mentoring, artist meetings and speed-meeting opportunities. Five music professionals will be selected from each country — a total of up to 15 professionals — to join the delegation. Travel and accommodation costs will be reimbursed up to 700 EUR. Each country’s music export office will make the selection based on the strength of the application, export plans targeting the destination country and its surrounding regions, and ongoing export activities. Additionally, 2 music professionals — totaling up to 6 professionals from the Baltics — are invited by the festival itself, with the following coverage of the costs – accommodation for 3 nights and travel reimbursement up to 200 euros.

Applications are open until May 25, 2025, to artists and professionals based in Estonia, Latvia, or Lithuania, from any genre. This is a unique opportunity to connect with leading music industry professionals from across Europe and perform at one of the continent’s most influential music events.

See artist terms & conditions: HERE

Apply to play: https://musicestonia.typeform.com/to/jsrSDmxy

See delegation terms & conditions: HERE

Apply for delegation: https://musicestonia.typeform.com/to/UXuwgRlh

For more details and to apply, artists can contact their national partner organization. The Baltic Focus is supported by the Baltic Culture Fund.

Meadow Talks releases “Garden” – A Delicate Ode to Loss and Memory from the Upcoming EP

Czech artist Meadow Talks unveils “Garden”, the second single from her forthcoming EP „Bed of Green“—a hauntingly intimate track written during a songwriting camp in Riga. With production by Polish musician TYNSKY and a heartfelt performance by Latvian songwriter Ilze Rijniece, „Garden“ explores the tender themes of grief, memory, and quiet acceptance.

Emerging from a deeply personal moment of sorrow and introspection, “Garden” is the newest single from Meadow Talks upcoming EP „Bed of Green“, set to be released later this year. Written in November 2024 during a collaborative songwriting camp in Riga, Latvia, the song stands as a moving tribute to the artist’s great-grandmother, who passed away just two weeks before the trip.

The track brings together international voices and textures, featuring Polish producer TYNSKY, whose atmospheric production wraps around the fragile core of the song, and Latvian musician Ilze Rijniece, who contributes both piano and kokle—a traditional Latvian string instrument. These organic elements, woven with subtle field recordings from the very classroom where the track was conceived, create a unique and deeply human sonic tapestry.

Unlike a traditional single, „Garden“ embraces an experimental structure. Its gentle flow of instrumental swells, fragments of spoken word, and candid moments of laughter challenge standard songwriting form, leaning instead into raw emotion and atmosphere. This approach reflects the inner turbulence of grief—moments of heaviness offset by unexpected lightness and stillness.

“Garden is about letting go of control,” says Meadow Talks. “It’s about standing still in front of something you cannot change and simply acknowledging it exists. It’s not loud, it’s not resolved—it just is.”

As the second glimpse into „Bed of Green“ (EP), „Garden“ sets a quiet but powerful tone for the EP’s exploration of nature, memory, and emotional vulnerability. With its cross-cultural collaborations and tender authenticity, the track promises to resonate with listeners navigating their own landscapes of loss and remembrance.

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.

Indie and psychedelic rock band @thebadtones have just released their second tringle, ‘ii’

Indie and psychedelic rock band @thebadtones have just released their second tringle, ‘ii’, featuring three new tracks. Among them, “Vējš,” accompanied by a music video created by the band members, explores the theme of facing life’s headwinds. Lead vocalist and lyricist Edvards Broders shares, “Just like riding a bicycle over Vanšu bridge on a rainy day, with the wind in your ears and raindrops on your face, ‘Vējš’ captures the struggle to overcome helplessness and find your way forward.”

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