Category: News

This autumn the most popular funk band from Latvia Very Cool People (VCP) is coming back to Central Europe with their second tour. The tour includes two concerts in Hungary, two concerts in Romania, two concerts in Serbia and a final concert in Slovenia.

“We are very happy to return to play in Hungary and Romania also this year. We really enjoyed our concerts last year in Szimpla Kert, Budapest and Babel Camp, Balatonboglar, the people & hospitality were amazing, so we are more than happy to come back to these venues. The five concerts in Romania we had with the local band FUNKorporation were also unforgettable, and our cooperation resulted in a recording together with singers Hannah and Erika of the song “Off The Ground”, which is included in VCP’s new album “Caution! Contains Words”. This year we are coming back to Atelier Cafe, Cluj Napoca & and getting to know a new place where we haven’t played yet – Taverna Timisoara, which seems like a really cool place with great artists playing there, like soul music legend Fred Wesley, for example”, comments VCP’ leader Elvijs Grafcovs.

In 2019, VCP played in the biggest European showcase “Eurosonic Noorderslag 2019” in the Netherlands. During the summer the band played in festivals in the Baltic States & Germany: “Görlitz Jazz Festival” (Görlitz, Germany),“Bliuzo Naktys” (Varniai, Lithuania), “Tintes Svētki” (Valmiera, Latvia), “Saulkrasti Jazz” (Saulkrasti, Latvia), “Positivus” (Salacgrīva, Latvia), “Augustibluus” (Haapsalu, Estonia), “Summersound” (Liepaja, Latvia), “Siauliai Jazz 2019” (Siauliai, Lithuania) & many more.

With a backbone in funk, soul & jazz, incorporating influences from surf, klezmer, rock, punk and hip-hop, there is no shortage of energy, tight grooves, catchy riffs, hot melodies & joy of life. The band has released six albums so far the latest in 2019 – Caution! Contains Words! The upcoming tour is financially supported by the special purpose programme for non-academic music by State Culture Capital Foundation.

The band “Carnival Youth”, as a part of their new album “Good Luck” tour, have already played 19 concerts in 7 European countries (Germany, Switzerland, Lithuania, Poland, Hungary, Czech Republic and Slovakia). The Latvian tour will begin in Aizkraukle on the 15th November and will continue in Livani on the 16th November, Valmiera – 17th November, Madona – 20th November, Riga at “Hanzas Perons” on the 23rd November and will finish in Liepaja on the 30th November. Information and tickets.

Edgars Kaupers: “”Good Luck” European tour consisted of two parts – the first two weeks we played gigs in Central Europe, enjoying the Tatra Mountains and eating goulash in our spare time. Then we took a bit of time off at home and continued the tour in Western Europe. Before our gig in Munich, a careless driver broke the side mirror of our parked tour van and we thought that that would delay the rest of the tour. Thankfully, the diligent German technicians fixed the mirror the next morning and we were able to continue the tour. It’s a great pleasure to visit all these different places and play our new album live. It has a completely fresh breath and it brings us and the listeners forward on a new wave of energy!”

At the six gigs in Germany, “Carnival Youth” were joined by the 17-year-old singer from Luxembourg C’est Karma as a special guest. The band was captivated by her voice and performance, so they have invited her to play at the main concert of the Latvian tour – “Hanzas Perons” in Riga. Roberts Vanags: “C’est Karma is not only the stage name of this adorable performer, but also her real name. Karma is a very special person – a very nice, bright, original and truly talented young musician. We are delighted to give the opportunity to the audience in Riga to hear her velvety vocals that will touch everyone’s heart.”

Today, on the 30th October, “Carnival Youth” will play their first show in Aarhus, Denmark. After this, the band will travel to Shanghai, China where they will perform at the opening of the Latvian booth at the export and import exhibition “CIIE”. On the 7th November, the band will play a show at “Yuyintang” in Shanghai. This year the “Good Luck” tour will also stop in London, the UK on the 25th November and Tallinn, Estonia on the 6th December.

Latvian indie rock band Carnival Youth releases new single “Desktop” from their forthcoming third studio album “Good Luck” which is set for release in August 16th.

“It’s a mix of many things, a result of experimentation,” “We wanted to add a taste of Brazil to it – make it expressive and colourful – as we were there at the time of recording. Lyrically, it started out as a joke, and there is definitely humour, but there is also a grain of truth like in every joke, right? It’s about the advantages and challenges of our time, when a lot of it is spent by the screens,” Emils Kaupers of Carnival Youth explains.

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.

Album is done by using analog synths, self recorded vocals and drums recorded from everyday sounds that are around us. There are no guest artists except his little sister Anna Marija Kubecka who plays clarinet in few of Kashuks songs. This album is like a journey for you individually, so it is highly suggested to experience the sound on headphones.

On 17 August 2012, he released his first studio debut album called “Piece Of A Chance”, that finally captured the sound he was searching for years. On 8 September 2013, he released his second studio album, which was later nominated at the Annual Latvian Music Awards ceremony “Zelta Mikrofons” (Golden Microphone) in the category of the “Best Electronic Music Album” and gained a lot of recognition. Following that two more albums were released – “Piece of a Chance, Pt.3” in 2014 and “FICTION” in 2015, which both received the “Best Electronic Music Album” award.  

The pop punk band Cacophonics have released their new album Fast Food Is 4 Slow People. The album includes 10 songs written at very different points in time by different band members. As a result, the album comprises a rather diverse material. “Even though it took us four years to complete the album, there is also a bright side to it – due to various events that influenced us during this time, the songs turned out very varied. The album title came about naturally – despite saving time by eating fast food, we were still slow with the recording process, which is why we named it Fast Food Is 4 Slow People”, the band members say.

The band’s singer Ingus Sala says: “The new album includes a bit from every genre that we listen to: there are ska and punk songs on the album, as well as elements of post grunge, alternative rock and electronic music. We are very excited to have done many things by ourselves this time around. For example, the album was recorded and mixed by our drummer Valērijs Černejs, while video materials were put together by our bass player Aivars Daugavietis. Unlike our previous records, the new songs feature quite a lot of keyboard and electronic sounds. Also, this is the first time a female voice can be heard in one of our songs – we are very thankful to singer Gunta Menģele, who participated in the recording of the song Message in My Bottle Is a Suicide Note. We would also like to thank Konstantins Sedunovs, who created the album’s artwork”.

In the beginning of April, Cacophonics released the first song from the album The Noble and Great, whereas the second single Time, which is one of the most lyrical songs on the new album, was released in early May.

Formed in 2002 in Cēsis, Cacophonics have previously released two EPs and six singles, as well as played around 250 shows in the Baltic states, Slovakia, Hungary, Poland and Russia.

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.