Category: News

The song won the hearts of both the audience and the jury in October 2019, when the song won the prestigious Amsterdam Dance Event demo competition. The track will be a part of ANNNA’s EP that will be released in spring 2020.

The new track is a collaboration with the Danish producer and songwriter, August Friis. His nostalgic, bittersweet style perfectly mixes with the harsh, themed lyrics and attitude present in each ANNNA’s track.

Probably you’ll notice when listening to her lyrics, but “Stardom/Hater” is not a sweet story. The song is about something that the singer read in an article on BBC UK explaining the increase in domestic violence that happens in English homes once their home team loses during the World Cup. Same as in her other songs, ANNNA’s lyrics cover things that bother her, things that make her stand up and shout out loud during her impactful performances.

The singer’s new chapter in 2020 will begin with a performance at the Eurosonic Festival on the 17th of January, where she’ll show off all her new, powerful tracks.

*The song is available through this link: https://band.link/annna

New single “Boys Do Cry” by Latvian indie rock band Carnival Youth will be released on 28th of June. The single is taken from Carnival Youth’s forthcoming third studio album “Good Luck” which is set for release in August 16th.

Musical material for a single was created during song writing camps at different parts of Latvia’s countryside.

Music video for “Boys Do Cry” directed by Roberts Kuļenko was shot in Sigulda, Latvia. Roberts Vanags of Carnival Youth explains the idea behind the video: “Nowadays the question about gender equality is a hot topic. What makes a real man and what does it mean to be a feminine female? Living in safety and prosperity, one thing that can make a man cry is a woman. In this video directed by Roberts Kuļenko emotional side of men is shown in a stylized and exaggerated manner, retaining the traditions and specifics of the “B” category movies of the 1970s. Women’s power is literally depicted in their independence and physical power. The girls in the video have no problem kicking some guys, which shows not only “the fight” women go through, but also the inner world of men which can be very fragile and vulnerable. However, it doesn’t mean lack of masculinity. Boys do cry, you know. And that’s ok. It is about respect and acceptance of power of women and emotionality in men.”

The new album “Good Luck” was recorded last summer in Red Bull Studios in Sao Paulo, Brazil. It’s produced by the band’s long-time collaborator Gatis Zakis and mixed by the Grammy winning producer Nicolas Verhnes, who has previously worked with Animal Collective, Deerhunter, Dirty Projectors, Wild Nothing, The War on Drugs and others. Master was done by Greg Calbi at Sterling Sound in NYC and his work includes artists like The National, MGMT, Interpol and Arcade Fire.

The new album consists of 12 songs and the release of it will be celebrated with the band’s most excessive tour so far which will start in autumn. Shows confirmed in Germany, Switzerland, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia and Czech republic. More to follow.

Pacific K offers the first single “Tranquil State of Mind” from their first full-length studio album “Light Between Oceans” to be released in autumn 2019.

The song tells a story of a man deep in the woods drifting between different worlds and different inner selves. It’s a mix of pure emotions, telluric energy and deep calm. The song opens up the world of the new album, leaving one curious for what’s to come. The band recorded and worked on the album with the sound engineer Talis Timrots at Mints Music Studio in Riga that has previously worked with artists such as Damien Rice, Ludovico Einaudi, as well as several Latvian bands, including Brainstorm, Satellites LV among others.

Playing together since 2016, the Latvian four-piece released their debut EP “Blue Fall” in April 2017 which gained them praise from careful listeners, as well as some local industry people. Inspired by artists such as Fink, Ben Howard, Nick Cave, The Barr Brothers, Sigur Rós among others and driven by the powerful songwriting of the frontman Kristaps Bedritis, Pacific K deliver captivating live performances. As reviews say:

“The original music of the band works as a magnet, leaving no one in the audience indifferent. It has an emotional grasp, mixing melancholy with rich, intense progressions.” – Berga Bazars Summer Festival

The band currently has 40+ gigs under their belt, including major festivals in Latvia (Positivus, Laba Daba, Playground, Piens Fest), 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 and have started 2019 with an appearance at a late-night show, as well as a couple of shared gigs with the British band Eyre Llew.

“I don’t know” was written in the period, when I got completely lost. To me personally, it is not just another break up song. It is more.

 “I don’t know” is about freedom. Freedom to be who you are, and freedom to accept yourself. Some time ago, I would only accept myself when I was winning. Would only love my body when I was in the best shape. Would only like my photos taken from a special angle, so that my face looks good, with make up on, building a perfect picture of a dream life for the outer world… So life taught me lessons. Failure after failure, which led to constant anxiety and frustration. I became a person, who couldn’t be loved or respected  by the “old me”.

So, when I had no other choice, I’ve learned my lesson. I’ve learned, that I actually deserve love and respect not for my success, or not because I look good at a certain picture, but because I am me. I don’t have to always win to be loved. Don’t have to satisfy everyone. I can actually love myself for nothing, even when I make mistakes, even when I don’t know what to do next, where to go.   

With “I don’t know” I want to mark the end of this chapter of frustration, and start a new one, a chapter full of freedom and self acceptance.  From now on, I do things not because of pressure I put on myself, not because “I am useless, so I have to become at least “someone”… Faster!” I do sports, because I love it, I sing and write songs, because I love it. I spend time alone, because I love it. I work with people who I like. I do all that, because I love myself and respect my needs and wishes. I deserve to be happy. I deserve love, as do you.”

Podruga, electropop project of singer Alise Stefanoviča and guitarist Ričards Dauksts, offers their latest creation – summery and sultry single „Make It Stop”.

The song is a call to stop limiting oneself, and to experience adventures, love and all the good things that come into life with real awareness of your desires instead. “The creation of the song itself was letting go of my old patterns of songwriting and production – it is evident in unexpectedly uplifting sound. Also, after a 10-year break, I have taken up flute again, which you can hear in this piece,” says Alise Stefanoviča. “We believe that „Make It Stop” will become a great soundtrack for summer adventures!”

Music video was created by audio-visual artists Diana Lelis and Marija Mickeviča (MNTHA). The song was recorded and engineered at studio “401” in collaboration with the well-known hip-hop producer Tablis (Toms Horsts).

Podruga began her musical activities in 2016. So far, three singles and a mini-album “YPA!” have been released, as well as many concerts have been performed, including at major Baltic music festivals

In the heat of the summer tour around the Baltic States “Very Cool People” together with the Latvian soul singer Kristine Prauliņa, releases a new single, “Come Along”, from the band’s new album “Caution! Contains Words!”

“Come Along” is the forth single from the band’s latest album “Caution! Contains Words!”. Prior to that VCP had already released “We Should Dance” with Kristīne Prauliņa; the second single from the album – “Pa Apli” – got into the Top 15 at the Latvian National Radio music poll “Muzikālā Banka 2018”, it was in the Top 20 of the most influential commercial radio in Latvia (Radio SWH) and has more than 450k views on YouTube at the moment; and the third single “This Mess” featuring Evilena Protektore.

“This is definitely the most summery song from our new album and it could definitely become a summer soundtrack for those who are planning to go on romantic trips or to attend the summer festivals” says VCP leader Elvijs Grafcovs 

The song – “Come Along” also features an animated lyric video made by the artist Raitis Kalniņš, who also created the group’s newest album “Caution! Contains Words!” visual design. 

The album “Caution! Contains Words!” features many guest appearances & blends together a sparkling cocktail of funk, soul, jazz, rock & hip-hop. Ten out of the album tunes were written by the band members themselves, and two are cover songs – “Let the Music Take Your Mind”, a tribute to the legendary R&B group “Kool & the Gang”, & “Going Down Slowly”, a homage to the great late music legend from New Orleans Allen Toussaint, who has inspired & influenced VCP.  This is the band’s sixth album so far: 2009 – self-titled debut, 2012 – Cruising In The Trolley, 2015 – Funkology, 2017 – Heya Some Kind Of Fish!…, 2018 – Snowman’s Express.

Latvian indie rock trio Carnival Youth release a new single and video “Only the Moon Can See the Sun” a week before the release of the new album “Good Luck”.

Carnival Youth member Emils Kaupers reveals that the song is about procrastination: “I believe everyone has those little things on their mind that you can’t get rid of and they prevent you from being truly happy. You want to deal with these things and resolve them but it’s easier to put them off again and again. This can drag on forever. It’s difficult to finally take the first step so this song serves as an encouragement to be brave”.

 The music video was shot in Aluksne, Latvia by directors Ieva Aleksejeva and Peteris Viksna. Peteris describes the video as follows: “The video plays on the connection between dreams and reality using the lyrics as a point of reference. We interpreted the lyrics of the song both literally and through various abstract associations of the words and the symbols hidden within them”. This is the second music video that Carnival Youth have filmed in Aluksne and this time biathlete from Aluksne Andrejs Rastorgujevs is in the video as well.

The upcoming album “Good Luck” will be available in CD and double vinyl. Limited edition vinyl will also be available. The album was recorded last summer in Red Bull Studios in Sao Paulo, Brazil and is produced by the band’s long-time collaborator Gatis Zakis. The album was mixed by Grammy winning producer Nicolas Verhnes and the master was done by Greg Calbi at Sterling Sound in NYC.

Musician Chris Noah releases a new song called “Inside Out”, which is the last of the three-song set, which has been developed with the British produced Kristofer Harris.

The British producer visited Latvia in May of last year and in collaboration with the musician and companions recorded three songs. The first one published was “River”, which has been listened to more than 370 thousand times, the second one – “Fall Through” was the first single who also had a music clip. This song has gotten awareness not only from Latvian radio stations, but also from many foreign music bloggers and it got many fans in the Baltic radio tops.

The song “Inside Out” differs from the previous two, because the song has been in the making for many years – the main part of the song was written more than two years ago, but the rest was produced with Kristofer Harris in May of 2018. “Sometimes it happens like that – you develop a seemingly perfect melody for a song, but the rest of it does not come out naturally. In this case I had to wait for the right moment to get the inspiration to finish it.” Says the musician Chris Noah himself.

About the contents of the song Chris Noah says: “The song is about relationships with a person, who changes what he says, what he thinks and even denying what he said earlier. Everyone of us, at least once in our lives, meets a person like this with whom it is difficult to make plans with, because you never know what might happen tomorrow.”

Song co-author and co-producer is Chris Noah friend and musical companion Marcis Jukumsons-Jukumnieks. Also people who have been a part of the recording are guitarist Janis Kalnins, and drummer Jekabs Zemzaris.

The band’s new album is a mix of funk, jazz, soul, hip-hop and rock that still sounds like “Very Cool People”. There is no shortage of energy, joy of life, catchy riffs and melodies. Their new album consists of 12 compositions, of which only one is instrumental. That also explains the ironic title of the new album “Caution! Contains Words!”.

Ten out of the album tunes were written by the band members themselves, and two are cover songs – “Let the Music Take Your Mind”, a tribute to the legendary R&B group “Kool & the Gang”, & “Going Down Slowly”, a homage to the great late music legend from New Orleans Allen Toussaint, who has inspired & influenced VCP.

Very Cool People:  Oskars Ozoliņš – trumpet;  Māris Jēkabsons – tenor sax;  Laura Rozenberga – trombone.  Kristaps Lubovs – baritone sax;  Elvijs Grafcovs – guitar;  Māris Vitkus – organ, rhodes piano;  Valters Sprūdžs – bass;  Andris Buiķis- drums, percussion.  

The record features many guest appearances: Kristīne Prauliņa – vocals, Evilena Protektore – vocals, Ralfs Eilands – vocals, Maija Sējāne – vocals, MC Edavārdi – vocals, MC ansis – vocals, Hannah Horvath – vocals, Erika Székely – vocals, Andris Kauliņš – moog & synth.

The album is produced by the leader of the band and guitarist Elvijs Grafcovs, co-produced by Valters Sprūdžs. The album is mostly recorded at “Sound Division Studio” in Riga by Ivars Ozols, additional recordings were made in other studios in Latvia and Romania. Mixed & mastered by Jānis Kalve at Labo Ierakstu Studio (Riga, Latvia), except We Should Dance mixed by Jon Evans. Design & artwork by Raitis Kalniņš.

This is bands sixth album so far. In 2009 – self-titled debut, 2012 – Cruising In The Trolley, 2015 – Funkology, 2017 – Heya Some Kind Of Fish!…, 2018 – Snowman’s Express.

In 2019 summer VCP will be on the tour around festivals in Baltic States & Germany: 18th of May “Museum Night” (Liepaja, Latvia), 25th of May “Görlitz Jazz Festival” (Görlitz, Germany), 1st of June “Gaujas Svētki” (Ādaži, Latvia), 6th of July “Bliuzo Naktys”(Varniai, Lithuania), 13th of July “Tintes Svētki” (Valmiera, Latvia), 16th of July “Saulkrasti Jazz” (Saulkrasti, Latvia), 27th of July “Positivus” (Salacgrīva, Latvia), 2nd of August Augustibluus (Haapsalu, Estonia), 3rd of August Summersound (Liepaja, Latvia), 24th of August “Siauliai Jazz” (Siauliai, Lithuania).

Rigas Ritmi festival is the most loved improvisation, jazz and world music happening in Latvia at the very beginning of July. The stages are located at different spots in Riga featuring concerts by both – world-famous and young musical talents. It is already 19th year of the festival and this time it will celebrate 100 years of jazz in Europe.

“This year Rigas Ritmi celebrates 100 years since jazz arrival in Europe because in 1919 for the first time here performed Original Dixieland Jazz Band, Sissle & Blake Duo and Southern Syncopated Orchestra from New Orleans,” says artistic director of the festival Maris Briezkalns. “That was the beginning of jazz invasion in Europe. We are celebrating the century of jazz in Europe inviting great artists from New Orleans – Jon Cleary and Jamison Ross. They will not only perform but will hold master-classes as well. Everyone will be able to feel the aura which rules in the place where the jazz was born.”

So far on festival stages performed more than 550 artists from around the world. Rigas Ritmi is attended by more than 170 000 people thus festival has gained the status of a state-importance cultural event. Initially the festival took place once a year during the first week of every July, but in the last eight years it has expanded to additional Winter and Spring concert sessions.

Rigas Ritmi festival is a musical celebration in the very middle of Baltic States with performances of outstanding artists such as Bobby McFerrin, Diane Reeves, Take 6, Richard Bona, BBC Big Band, Patti Austin, Freddy Cole, The Yellowjackets, Victor Wooten, Buika, Jojo Mayer, Medeski Martin & Wood, Robert Glasper, Diane Schuur, Adam Ben Ezra as well as the greatest Latvian musicians and new talent from all around.

The idea of an international contemporary jazz and improvisation music festival in Riga in 2001 was initiated by Latvian jazz musician and producer Maris Briezkalns, who currently holds the position of the festival’s artistic director. Among the cornerstones of the festival are master-classes and seminars for young musicians held by world renowned masters. Every year young people, music teachers, journalists as well as others attend these happenings. One of the festival’s main objectives is to educate, both the audience and young musicians. Besides diverse concerts the festival also features jam sessions and workshops, where world-known musicians share their knowledge and experience to new talent, serving as inspiration and is the turning point for many young musicians in their careers. On this year’s festival the main acts will held the master-classes also, including the ones by Jon Cleary, Jamison Ross, Judith Hill, Paloma Pradal and Jonah Nilsson.

The main events of the festival will take place at the Riga Congress Hall including performances by the three-continent union of musicians “Freedoms Trio”, the prestigious Grammy prize holder from New Orleans Jon Cleary, amazing young talent and the winner of prestigious Thelonious Monk contest Jamison Ross, stellar powervocalist Judith Hill, French Flamenco artist Paloma Pradal and the new pride of Swedish music Jonah Nilsson. Special attention requires on 19 year old piano supertalent from China – winner of this year’s international young jazz artist contest “Riga Jazz Stage” A Bu also.

There will be free festival concerts available at the open-air venues “Egle” and “Origo Summer Stage” as well as jazz club “Trompete”, but everyone can enjoy great festival concerts at “VEF Jazz Club” and “OlainFarm Jazz Nights” happening at the club “Kalku varti” in the old town also.