The experienced Latvian music producers Lotars Lodzins, Janis Kalve, and Karlis Indrisonoks (Labo ierakstu studija), in association with English musician and songwriter Ky Ismet, have joined forces under the name YDJ and invited the lead singer of the English supergroup of the 90’s Soul II Soul, Charlotte Kelly, to jointly create a new song, the main theme of which was created by the legendary Latvian trumpeter and arranger Gunars Rozenbergs. This Time It’s For Real is published and released by MicRec.
The talks with the Soul II Soul lead vocalist were short, as Charlotte immediately agreed to cooperate after listening to the prepared demo.
Wessel van Diepen, host of the Global Dance Chart show of the popular Dutch radio station Radio 538, says: “An inspiring song. Very well done, great job!” The famous Swedish DJ and record producer StoneBridge commented after listening to the song: “High-quality composition, well-produced and with a very eye-catching lyric video.”
This Time It’s For Real is a modern house music track with a fresh and trendy vibe. Lyric video was created by Dween Production.
25-year-old Latvian artist Chris Noah, who gracefully combines indie-rock with catchy pop, released a new EP “Distance”. His silky timbre, gripping melodies and relatable lyrics have made him highly popular in his homeland, but now he is ready to conquer the world.
Chris has been surrounded by music from an early age – his father is a musician and mother a singing tutor. One could say his future was set in stone before he could even walk. But when Noah was younger he didn’t care much for music, and focused more on sports. At the age of 17 he re-discovered the guitar.
By the time he was 20, Chris and his brother had recorded his first single “Had It All”, which became an instant hit on the Latvian radios. A year later, his second single “You” won an award from Latvian Authors Society for one of the most played tracks of 2016.
Today, Chris Noah released his new EP “Distance”. It contains four tracks, produced in collaboration with London-based producer Kristofer Harris. According to Chris this album is special: “For the first time, not all the songs are about my own life, I have observed more – my friends and other people surrounding me”, he explains.
“When we had the basic production done for the tracks, Kristofer flew to Riga and we started to record and finalize the songs. I was writing lyrics as we were producing the tracks, and it was the most challenging thing I’ve done in my career so far. We recorded four tracks in 11 days, and I am also really glad that all my bandmates have played on this EP,” Noah adds.
The first single off the new EP, “The Line”, was released on January 17th and got an impressive radio airplay in Latvia. The song was written together with Noah’s keyboardist Marcis Jukumsons-Jukumnieks, whose partnership Chris greatly appreciates: “Marcis has a completely different approach to creating harmonies than I do. It’s a very creative process when his harmonies meet mine.”
One of the best Latvian scratch deejays DJ Aspirins releases a new song “Sunshine Avenue” featuring twin sister duo “Dvines”.
“When I was writing the song, I envisioned an anime cartoon with a girl who walks down the imaginaery “Sunshine Avenue” very vividly. She sees a boy and they run towards each other in slow motion (as they do in anime cartoons). At the end they watch the sunset together,” Ana – one of the twin sisters describes writing of the song.
DJ Aspirins has been a prominent party rocker in the Baltics and a Red Bull 3Style champion, representing his country at the world finals in Tokyo. In 2018 he released his debut EP “Easy”. “Sunshine Avenue” indicates a new and funkier direction for Aspirins towards nu-disco sound.
Spring is finally here even though it took a different turn this year, and singer Markus Riva marks the arrival of the season with new music. From April 9, his new single “Vienmēr” (Always) is available on all streaming platforms, the result of a fresh musical collaboration.
“Spring is my favourite season – I always feel a huge rush of energy, which gets my creative juices flowing. This year is no exception; on the contrary, there is more time than ever for creative endeavours. As a result, an uplifting spring song in Latvian was born; I hope it will be a source of positivity in these troubled times,” says Markus.
The song “Vienmēr” was created in collaboration with Roberts Pētersons who is also the author of the song and initiated this partnership. Work in the studio wrapped up before state of emergency in Latvia was declared, and both musicians swiftly found a common language and are very happy with the result.
Roberts Pētersons: “When I was writing this song, I quickly realized that Markus Riva would be a perfect fit for it, and I was extremely pleased he agreed to work with me. Markus knows what a good pop song needs – he brought his own ideas to the recording session and truly made the song his own. I am convinced that listeners will enjoy it, and it will be a great addition to Markus’ repertoire in Latvian.”
Just like his colleagues, Markus is currently looking for new ways to be next to his fans during social distancing – with virtual conversations and support for those in self-isolation, online gigs, musical surprises in Latvian and Russian, and special streaming playlists. He continues to work on on-going projects, and it is already clear that the song “Vienmēr” won’t remain the only musical collaboration this year.
A new fashion collection by Markus Riva, inspired by car racing, is out too. It is devoted to Markus’ grandfather whose life went hand in hand with this sport – the new arrivals are already available online at luckyonestore.com.
At the height of summer, musician Markus Riva brings a new song both in Latvian and Russian to his audience. “Vēl pēdējoreiz”/ „Белые ночи” (One Last Time / White Nights) is the first single from Riva’s upcoming fall album.
“Self-reflection is inevitable when you face this unprecedented solitude, which brings about nostalgia and melancholy. These sentiments linger both in this song, as in the tone and content of my forthcoming album,” says the musician.
Markus Riva also enjoys popularity in Russia and other CIS countries; in fact, Riva is one of the few Latvian musicians with a considerable fan base among Russian-speaking listeners. His work is usually released in one language so it does not always resonate with all listeners. However, “Vēl pēdējoreiz” found its sound both in Latvian and Russian leading to the decision to gift the song to a larger audience.
“A larger follower base means having to make sure my creative endeavours do not leave anyone out. Fans in Latvia and Russia and other countries are all waiting for new music from me,” asserts Markus. “I am extremely happy to release this single in both languages at once. Although my new album will be recorded in Latvian, a Russian version might be in the cards in the near future.”
Markus Riva is the author of the music and lyrics of “Vēl pēdējoreiz”, while the lyrics of „Белые ночи” were contributed by Igor Tatarenko, Riva’s long-time musical associate from the Ukraine. The song was recorded in “Factory sounds studio” and arranged by its co-author Gints Stankevičs.
From July 28, the song “Vēl pēdējoreiz”/ „Белые ночи” is available on all streaming platforms
Toms Samsons or TOM SIMO, comes from Saldus, but he’s currently learning Popular and Jazz Music at Liepāja Music, Art and Design Secondary School.
The track “No More” has been created with White Wide Production (Musicians Jānis Narbuts and Gints Purgalis), as well as Dzintars Vītols, who co-worked with TOM SIMO. They say that it’s a very simple, professional and interesting collaboration.
“We like that he can be musically different, meantime keeping his own style and highlighting his unique voice,” says White Wide Production.
The musician became popular with his first single “Tālumā”. The single has already being played on several radio stations. Although the young musician has just started his musical career, he has already given several concerts and also went on his first mini-tour “NEONS”.
As TOM SIMO reveals himself: “The new compositions tell the story of ideals and choices in life , which often lead to impasses when you have to give up everything.”
The single “No More” from April 16 is available on top streaming services.
While real face-to-face parties are off limits, partying online has never seemed like a better idea – Markus Riva invites all party animals to the PURE POP DISCO global party! Join us tomorrow, April 24, LIVE from FANTADROM.
Dance hits, an interactive live chat, unique go-go dancers, tips for choosing the best drinks and snacks for the night, special guests from around the globe, a chance to vote for the best dance, contests, prizes and impressive technological solutions – join, dance, watch, relax!
Everyone will keep a safe distance at the event. The event will be hosted in Latvian, English and Russian.
Tickets to “MARKUS RIVA INVITES – PURE POP DISCO VIRTUAL PARTY” are available at Biļešu Serviss ticket store online – ticket prices start from 5 EUR. Join us LIVE on April 24 at 19:00 here.
PURE POP DISCO live stream is brought to you by “UNTITLED originals” in cooperation with “Markus Riva Music” and conference hall Fantadroms.
The Latvian Soul, r&b band “Kristine Praulina & The Soulful Crew” in collaboration with Riga Gospel choir releases a single called “Mountains” and a video of it’s recording process. It’s the first single of their upcoming album. “Mountains” is now available on all the major music streaming platforms.
In 2018 Kristine Praulina’s dream of her own music came to life as she created the band that is now called “Kristine Praulina & The Soulful Crew”. The band has five members – Toms Mikāls (piano), Jānis Kalniņš (guitar), Valters Sprūdžs (bass), Kaspars Kurdeko (drums) and Kristine Praulina (vocals) and it performs original soul, r&b, singer songwriter, blues influenced music.
“Mountains” is the first single from the band’s upcoming first full-length album. The song tells a story of a search for Light in the time of darkness, the power of faith and the beauty that comes from a heart filled with gratitude. Kristine says: “I wish that this song would be an encouragement in these peculiar and trying times – to stop for a moment and listen to the inner quiet, to hear your own voice and the voice of God. It is this eternal perspective and peace of heart that can give us true and lasting joy in our everyday lives and as the song says – it can “move mountains inside our souls”.
“Mountains” was written specifically for Riga Gospel choir for Kristīne has been a part of the choir since 2003 and is currently it’s musical director. Riga Gospel choir is where Kristine’s musical journey began. Kristine about her love of gospel music: “I fell in love with gospel music at the age of 12 and it still moves me deeply every time I sing or hear it. We (RGC) have been dreaming of our own music for some years now and this is our first leap in that direction. I couldn’t be more excited about this release for it unites my two main musical passions – soul and gospel music and let’s our work with The Soulful Crew and Riga Gospel choir flourish”.
“Mountains” (music and lyrics, vocal and choir arrangements) was written by Kristine Prauliņa and these are her first steps songwriting in gospel music genre. The instrumental arrangement was created together with the band. The song was recorded in “Mint” studio in Riga, Latvia in January 2020. Studio and mixing engineer – Toms Lisments. Mastered by Tom Woodhead (GBR). Video made and edited by Reinis Janulis.
Kristine Praulina has been on the Latvian jazz music scene since 2013 when she won the International Jazz Vocalist competition “Riga Jazz Stage”. She has been actively working as a soloist in Latvia and abroad with bands like the Latvian Radio Big Band, funk band “Very Cool People”, “Alaska Dreamers” and many more ever since. She has recorded two studio albums with the legendary Latvian Maestro Raimonds Pauls. In 2018 “Kristine Praulina & The Soulful Crew” was born. That same year the band released an EP called “A Warmer October” with four freshly written songs. In 2019 they released a song in Latvian called “Kopā”, along with a video.
Riga Gospel choir is an active perfomer in the Latvian music scene since 2006. The choir has performed all over Latvia and in Norway, Estonia, Great Britain, Germany and other European countries, as well as the USA (Chicago, New York, New Orleans and more). Riga Gospel choir performed with the Grammy winner, gospel super star Donald Lawrence in Riga, Latvia in 2019. They’ve had collaborations with Karen Gibson (creator and musical director of Great Britain’s “Kingdom Choir”) and gospel greats Cynthia Nunn, Malcolm Williams, Walter Owens and Terry Moore for the USA. Riga Gospel choir has won two gold medals in the World Choir games.
Classical music hooligans DAGAMBA, in collaboration with the talented emerging singer Patrisha, releases a new single and video Stāvēt Tuvāk. It is a story about boarder abolishment, mutual unity un humanity against each other, that is especially important during social and physical distancing because spiritual values come first.
The leader of DAGAMBA and author of the music, Valters Pūce, tells: “To be honest, musical framework was created approximately one and a half year ago, and the initial idea was to depict the charm and uniqueness of coexistence of different cultures. Patrisha’s contribution allots topicality to our collaboration during self-isolation era, when it is more important than ever not to lose mutual humanity against each other.”
The video, directed by Dace Pūce, focuses on the same idea – even though we are asked not to go outside our homes without necessity, life goes on, musicians perform at home with their families, and dream about the time, when empty streets will be filled with everyday hustle again and the world will return to its usual rhythm.
“This song was created at a strange time, when physical being around each other is forbidden, but is also crucial to all of us. The message of “Stāvēt tuvāk”, just like the world around me, changed rapidly during its writing, but it seems that now it has become especially relevant. I am very happy and honored for this beautiful collaboration with DAGAMBA,” explains Patrisha.
Along with blossoming cherry trees, “Audrú” wants to delight the audience with an upbeat song – “Mother Love”.
The song starts out serene, then becomes uplifting and creates an inspiring mood. Friends who have already heard “Mother Love” say that it talks about everything that is important. Maybe that’s why the song is a perfect soundtrack for these sophisticated times. It reminds us that we can always choose to see the good or simply not to notice it.
The song also has a video that captures moments from the adventures shared together in the recent years – inspiring trips, fun birthdays, rehearsals, walks in the rain and picnics by the sea. The video is like a journey through heartfelt memories while all we can do is wait until we can meet again.
Currently, the band is also working on their debut EP called “The Lighthouse Trilogy”. One of the songs from the album – “Over”, is already available to listeners.
“Audrú” – a bunch of friends – Ieva, Gita, Jurģis and Artūrs have been playing together for more than 3 years. Since then the band has crafted their own sound, for which they, jokingly, have coined the term “May-flower Grunge”. It features elements of indie-rock, indie-pop, American folk and vibes from music of the 90’s.
“Mother Love” was recorded and mixed at Hodila Records studio in Valmiera, Latvia, in the beginning of 2020. You can listen to other Audrú songs on the most popular music streaming sites.
