Guitarist Gints Smukais announces concert series and releases video with American guitarist Ian Ethan Case

Musician Gints Smukais announces a concert series “Landscapes” with American guitarist Ian Ethan Case (Boston, USA) and publishes a music video filmed in the USA. Ian Ethan Case is an acoustic double-neck guitar virtuoso who is considered one of the most creative and engaging fingerstyle guitarists in the world. Both musicians will perform in Riga, Liepāja, Ķekava and Kocēni from October 5 to 8.

Gints Smukais says about Ian Ethan Case: “I am happy that there are many guitar enthusiasts and musicians in Latvia who actively promote fingerstyle guitar playing, but no matter how much of it we have already seen here, travelling to the epicentres of fingerstyle culture, I have come to the conclusion that its expression is even broader than we could imagine. Ian Ethan Case is a great example of that and a great inspiration to me. Listening to his music, I realised that there really are no limits to fingerstyle. We share not only this style of playing, but also the beginnings of a musical journey that started with rhythm instruments. We love rhythm and playing it in melodic cascades through the particular characteristics of the acoustic guitar. I am grateful that our paths have intertwined and now we can create and play together in concerts.”

The two guitarists first met in person in Boston in September 2022 after Gint’s participation in the World Guitar Fingerstyle Championships held in Winfield, USA. In Boston, the two musicians created a video for Ian Ethan Case’s “Aftershocks”, which particularly inspired Gints, so he wrote a second voice for it, enriching and articulating the message of the piece and giving it another rhythmic and harmonic dimension. Video by Ian Ethan Case.

Ian Ethan Case says of his collaboration with Gints: “It means a lot to me to have been able to perform and record this piece with Gints. For this kind of highly detailed, structured, specific piece, it’s almost never possible to bring in an additional musician, let alone another acoustic fingerstyle guitarist. From the first time we performed the piece together, it worked! Gints had taken the serious time to learn every nuance of the piece, plus he had found a way to add his own musical input that would enrich the song rather than detract from it, and that’s not easy. I’m very honoured that he cared enough and felt enough about the piece to put in such serious work, and I’m really looking forward to playing it together in these concerts! I am also really excited to explore Latvia with Gints, as I had some unforgettable moments and feelings when I was in Estonia a while ago.”

With “Aftershocks”, the guitarists invite us to reflect on and be aware of the notes that each of us plays and stands for in life, because everything that is thought, said, and done in this world has a very big echo. It is therefore important to pay attention to what are the things and events that should have the longest resonance and that need to be controlled or even blocked to allow other things to exist and be heard.

The two musicians met during the pandemic, when Ian looked up Gints on the internet after watching a video made and recommended by a friend, also an American guitarist. It was a compilation of five of the best fingerstyle guitarists that you might not have heard of. The video also included a clip of Gints’s original composition “Flourish”, which made a big and lasting impression on Ian. Ian says: “Gint’s performance was not only honest, complex, deep and really refreshing, but it also showed a real exploration of music and a real love of music, which is the most important thing for me.”

In early October, the two masters of the acoustic guitar will meet on the same stage for the “Landscapes” concert series, where they will perform their original compositions and Latvian and foreign melodies familiar to the audience, as well as demonstrate the subtle world of fingerstyle guitar playing, in which all genres can meet.

The concerts will take place:

  • 5 October at 19.00 at Kocēni Culture House;
  • 6 October at 19.00 at the Small Guild in Riga, with the support of the VKKF;
  • 7 October, 18.00, Dole Folk House, Ķekava;
  • 8 October at 18.00 at the Culture House “Wiktorija” in Liepāja.

Tickets for the concerts in Riga, Ķekava and Kocēni are available at the “Biļešu Paradīze” box office and online at www.bilesuparadize.lv, and for the concert in Liepāja at www.bezrindas.lv.

Osokins Freedom Festival for Ukraine Comes to an End with a Magnificent Concert at Wagner House, Raising More than €20 000 in Donation

The Osokins Freedom Festival for Ukraine comes to an end with a magnificent Gala concert and an exhibition dedicated to the war in Ukraine, during which more than EUR 20 000 were donated to support Ukraine. The Gala concert took place at the Wagner House in Riga on Saturday, 10 June.

The Festival’s Gala concert featured the “Kremerata Lettonica”string ensemble, actresses Dita Lūriņa and Larisa Ponomarenko, as well as the Festival’s founder and creative director, pianist Andrejs Osokins himself. The concert was opened by the President of Latvia Egils Levits and the Ambassador of Ukraine to Latvia Anatoliy Kutsevol. Visitors to the concert also had the opportunity to see a special exhibition dedicated to the Ukrainian war – drawings by Ukrainian children from Kharkiv, Irpin, Kiev and Latvia, the installation “Time” by artist Edmunds Kalniņš, and an exhibition of portraits of Ukrainian women who have found refuge in Latvia, accompanied by sad stories from Grebnevo. On Sunday, 11 June, the cultural space “Ola Foundation” hosted the epilogue of the Festival – a solo concert by pianist GeorgijsOsokins. On Saturday, June 17 festival will close with a Charity concert in Kuldīga.

Ticket revenue from the Festival, together with the funds donated in a special campaign on Ziedot.lv, will be redirected to Ukraine –for humanitarian, medical, defence and pet aid. The campaign will run for two more weeks, giving people who missed the concerts the opportunity to donate to Ukraine, which is especially important after the terrorist destruction of the Kahovkahydroelectric power plant. Everyone can still continue to donate here: www.ziedot.lv/osokina-brivibas-festivals.

On Tuesday, 13 June, a convoy will leave from the square in front of the Congress House for Ukraine to deliver the meal kits and thermal imaging cameras that have already been purchased with funds donated during the Festival to the war-torn areas and flood victims.

“While the war is still going on, blood is still being shed, innocent people are still dying, war crimes are still being committed and evils incompatible with humanity are still taking place, our task is to continue to support Ukraine just as powerfully, to show its people that we are with them even in the most difficult and darkest moments and will do everything to end the war as soon as possible with a Ukrainian victory. Let our support be an important signal to other countries, an incentive to strengthen our assistance to the people and soldiers of Ukraine to achieve our common dream and give a bright future to the next generations! I am extremely grateful to all the audience and donors for their overwhelming support, as this year’s Festival has already raised more donations than last year. It is urgently needed right now, with the counter-attack and the terrorist explosion of the Kakhovka HPP,” says Andrejs Osokins.

This is the fourth year of pianist Andrejs Osokins Freedom Festival, which for the second year has been dedicated to Ukraine and its people. This year, the Festival and its launch events have taken place in Riga and Valmiera for more than a month. It included a wide range of concerts, masterclasses, conversations about current events, special meetings of the Festival musicians with Ukrainian families, charity actions and other events. It brought together Latvian and Ukrainian musicians, actors, artists and other professionals, renowned in Latvia and abroad, including “Labvēlīgais Tips”, “Melo-M”, Ralfs Eilands, Katrīna Gupalo, “Kremerata Lettonica”, Sonora Vaice, Ieva Parša, Edgars Ošleja, Platons Buravickis, Gundars Āboliņš, Dita Lūriņa, Laura Čaupale, Ģirts Krūmiņš, piano quartet “Quadra”, Kristīne Garklāva, Kristīne Rudzinska, Mārtiņš Daugulis, pianists Andrejs Osokins, Dmitry Volkov, Iveta Cālīte, Georgijs Osokins, musicians, artists and actors from Ukraine and many others.

The creative team of the Festival would like to thank all the supporters and partners who made it possible for the Festival to be so ambitious and diverse – Riga City Council, TC Spice and Spice Home, LNK Industries, LNK Charity Foundation, philanthropist Dmitry Volkov, Valmiera County Council, Embassy of Ukraine in Latvia, Confederation of Ukrainian Societies “Viche”, Ziedot.lv, “Biļešu Paradīze”, “Tavi draugi” association, all Festival venues, sound and lighting companies, media and many others.

Photographer: Jānis Romanovskis @gribuvasaru.lv

Singer and songwriter ‘Taurud’ from Latvia release a new song

‘Taurud’ latest work ‘My Gold’ is the second single leading up to his EP.

‘We have nothing to lose – simply creating music that excites us. I am a lot less afraid to go and look for new sounds in musical areas where I never went before. At the same time, I am singing about stuff that most people will relate to. This time it is all about the truth. There is something hidden in this world ,and that secret presence creates a lot of suffering. The song is about not losing yourself ,nevertheless’ explains ‘Taurud’.

The music and lyrics are written by ‘Taurud’. The record was made in collaboration with an incredible young producer from Manchester Sean Rogan (Spotify – Sean Rogan).

‘Taurud’ songs have previously rotated on Latvian radio stations, won the Radio SWH competition ‘Priekšnams’ and debuted on TV. This summer musician is actively performing in the UK and working on the EP ,and later this year is planning to visit his home Latvia to perform in Riga and Jurmala.

“Taurenīt?” is released today, on July 11. This song is about a summer romance and was created in close collaboration with Būū

“I met Būū for the first time in February 2022, during the concert “Latvian rap against the war in Ukraine”. I didn’t know when and how, but I knew that one day we will work together because I ‘caught’ Būū vibe right away ” says Raiens. Būū added that she rarely collaborate on songs and even more rarely sing about romantic love, but on “Taurenīt?” she managed to get both of those ticks in effortlessly. “Raiens is young, determined artist, driven by good goals, bright thoughts and love” she says.

The production and mastering team behind single “Taurenīt?” are Kristaps Hļevickis and Marks Spruģevics. 

Spotify

Indie pop project “Funkinbiz” from Riga releases a song in Ukrainian

Indie pop project Funkinbiz, in collaboration with music producer Mārcis Vasiļevskis, makes their debut with the song “Tini – shadows,” an exciting single from upcoming album performed in Ukrainian language. The song is already available on all major music streaming platforms. Link – https://ffm.to/tini

The title of the song, “Tini,” symbolizes the shadows of love that touch us and linger even after we have experienced the joy of love at least once. The song is particularly fitting for moments when we introspect, travel, dream, love, and express romantic feelings.

The track was recorded at the “Laimes telpa” studio, in collaboration with talented musicians: drummer Dairis Petrauskis, and bass guitarist Toms Kursītis. The post-production was done by Toms Lisments, while the final sound processing was carried out by Robb Robinson from California, known for his collaboration with the renowned artist Jason Mraz.

The song was written by Kirils Ponomarenko, also known as Funkinbiz, who is the songwriter and performer from Latvia. Coming from the breakdance and hip-hop culture, he combines various contemporary elements in his music. Born in Riga, Funkinbiz embarked on his musical journey by learning classical guitar from Armenian guitar master Vaak Kjurdjian. This training inspired his love for music and laid the foundation for his unique style. Funkinbiz further developed his skills at the prestigious Žoržs Siksnas School of Opera, specializing in vocal techniques and expanding his musical horizons.

In 2022, while experimenting with music and participating in exclusive events, Funkinbiz teamed up with music producer and multi-instrumentalist Mārcis Vasiļevskis (Laime Pilnīga, Samanta Tīna, Ralfs Eilands). They collaborated at the “Laimes Telpa” studio with like-minded professionals to create an album.

The main source of inspiration for this project is the power of love, which is employed with the hope of fostering connections between people.

Foto – Miks Uzans

 

Sudden Lights are releasing a series of remixes of the song “Aijā”

In the run-up to the Eurovision Song Contest, Sudden Lights are releasing a series of remixes of the song “Aijā”, in collaboration with four different DJs. Makree, [Ex] da Bass, MarkMate and the acclaimed Lithuanian producer Leon Somov have given the song a new sound in the dance and house genres. All remixes are available on streaming services. 

The first release is a remix by electronic music producer Makree (Mārtiņš Makreckis). “Makree is a very talented musician, his works are in our personal playlists. His music has an international character in the best sense of the word. We are delighted and grateful that he agreed to give our song a different sound!” 

https://open.spotify.com/album/24x4lRjN59Gw06ePP1w0Ia?si=o5B-Y_T2QiCgMWidaetOFg

The well-known Latvian DJ [Ex] da Bass or Mareks Dainis has also renewed his tradition of remixing Eurovision songs. He says: “Although “Aijā” is a sad and rocky lullaby, I would like to believe that my remix has turned out to be very enjoyable, modern and in line with the expectations of club-goers. I wish Sudden Lights a successful start and great success at this year’s Eurovision!”

https://open.spotify.com/album/54P2R5kuWAQhk56fQyQKvC?si=MQjOXG4_SwKuMBkd5sCgvA

The remix series features Sudden Lights’ first international collaboration with one of the best-known Lithuanian producers and electronic music creators – Leon Somov. “It’s a great feeling to support our Latvian brothers not only with our voices, but also with a new version of their song. Of course, stylistically the remix and the original song are very different, now it’s a completely different genre… But when a song is good, it can sound great in different styles. When I was working on the song, I had complete creative freedom and I used elements that excited me, I expressed them in my own way,” explains Leon.

https://open.spotify.com/album/3t0noeRlgjV3VBKYgsjP8J?si=4M_wrM8aTiaz5vTPAKWE2g

The series is concluded by the promising 19-year-old producer MarkMate (Marks Matisons), whose name has already been heard abroad and whose songs have received support from well-known DJs such as Don Diablo, Nicky Romero and others. “Sudden Lights is a soothing lullaby with a unique tempo. I thought that a remix with elements of house music and my own musical signature, as part of my MarkMate music project, would be something that could appeal to both a passionate fan of the band and someone who prefers dance music on a daily basis,” says Mark.

https://open.spotify.com/album/6slIOkSD161FOGi2bmnRhG

The full lineup of the UNDER 2023 festival has been announced

The fourth edition of the electronic music festival UNDER 2023 — May 19th and 20th in Riga (Latvia) — have announced the full lineup. With a star cast of 40 artists participating in the event, headliners include Tiga, Slam DJs, Alinka and Hard Ton who will be joined by Berlin artists Holger Zilske and Radical Softness, as well as Voicedrone, the co-founder of the hype club “Fold” in London. The line-up includes a host of Baltic DJs and live electronic artists.
The 19th of May opens the festival and is dedicated to all electronic live performances. The night will be opened by the “Golden Microphone” nominee — Waterflower, a visionary artist from Latvia who is at the forefront of the eco-futurist movement. Using plants and mushrooms as both instruments and MIDI generators, they create a unique blend of avant-pop, hyperpop, and digital hardcore.
Later that day, vocalist and producer Podruga will take centre stage; her music will invite listeners back to the sounds of 90’s electronica, and sci-fi sonics with elements of post-punk.
Produga will premiere a new electronic set at UNDER Festival, together with guitarist and producer Ričards Dauksts. The queer fashion extravaganza showcases the Italian duo Hard Ton (Permanent Vacation, International Deejay Gigolo), who plays a unique blend of Chicago house, disco-styled falsettos, crunchy acid basslines, and a pinch of Italo disco, all of this preceded by the artistic set of Queer On Acid from Riga. The stage will be closed by the electro-techno-live of Igor Vorobyov from Ventspils, who has been running the record label “Blind Allies” for the past six years.
On Saturday 20th May the festival will open its doors at 6 pm. The program will kick off on the Garden stage, where both experienced and younger Latvian DJs will play. You can expect vinyl sets from Nick Ustinov & Jazzy Marky, Waxid, Vakru, Ze Ivarzz, as well as performances by KAN, Aizvakardiena, Adroit, DIN, Esoniq, Ideology of Sound, Elvi Soulsystems and Cheh, who represents Lebanon and the UAE, but currently working out in Lithuania.
The UNDER Pressure and UNDER Control stages will open at 8 pm. The huge techno sounds on the UNDER Pressure stage will be presented by the Scottish legends of this genre — Slam DJs. Their record label, Soma Records, started in the early 1990s, introducing several of today’s big names to the world, their eponymous radio show has thousands of fans worldwide. The duo will be joined by Voicedrone, co-founder, curator, and resident of London club, Fold. The club is considered one of the most hyped underground spots in the British capital.
Fast techno will be played by the regular guest of the HÖR in Berlin — queer DJ Radical Softness. There are many female names on the line-up including Merimel, the first lady of Estonian techno who is active with releases on many high-profile labels and has her radio show on national radio, the founder of the UNDER festival Ksenia Kamikaza, DJ Orthodox from Liepāja, Laima Adelaide from Stuttgart, LE/RA. DJs E91, Ikss and HP-82 have their distinct style that will complement Saturday’s techno sound.
The stars of the UNDER Control stage – which is mainly for EBM, electro and acid – will be Tiga, the Canadian DJ, producer of many electronic anthems from his record label Turbo Recordings, Alinka, a Berlin-based Ukrainian-Chicago artist and resident of the Panorama bar, Berliner Holgers Zilske known in the electronic scene by the name of the techno project Smash TV, who currently works in the electro genre. The festival’s international program will be completed by Mountak, a resident of the Lithuanian club “Lizdas”. Latvia will be represented by the duo Taran & Lomov from Amber Muse, Lévi from Klik Klak, Crying Skies, mOZ & Herren Ivo, Veronika Keris & Grisha Nirgov, as well as the duo Laiva Maikule.

The industrial quarter on 9 Teraudlietuves Str. in Riga is the best place for the boldest sound of the festival. More information on all the artists, the venue and tickets can be found at underfestival.com.

“through the light”. A multilayered album merging poetry and music to be released in April

Just as every living creature consumes sunlight, every human being runs on a certain amount of light in his life. When we learn how to live through this light, embrace its existence, and choose to treasure every little thing we’ve got, the world around us responds to our thoughts and actions and becomes brighter with every choice we make. This is why a Latvian poet Aleksandra Line wrote three poems in three different languages, English, Latvian and Russian, on the darkest nights of Latvian winter, and a prominent Latvian composer Uģis Prauliņš turned triptichum “through the light” into music for three vocalists, a piano and a vibraphone. The album is scheduled for release as a CD, as well as on major music streaming platforms, on April 24. 

Tryptichum comes from Ancient Greek and means three layers. So this multilayered album not only consists of three languages and merges music styles, but there also are three different vocalists, each of whom sings lead vocals in one of the compositions (“cauri gaismai” is the solo of Rūta Dūduma Ķirse, “through the light” – Santa Šillere and “сквозь свет” – Evilena Protektore), Ēriks Miezis plays vibraphone and percussions, Edgars Cīrulis is on upright piano and effects. All five of the jazz musicians are improvisers and most of them write their own music, so the end result of “through the light” is mostly interpreted by each of them with their own musical character and arrangement added to the story.

The album was recorded in Riga at the end of 2022, with sound recording, mixing and mastering done by Pauls Dāvis Megi. Sound engineer’s assistant – Bruno Brauns, album release is supported by the State Culture capital foundation. Photography, behind the scenes story and cover art are done by Vadim Kozhin with Vinsents Krebs posing for the cover.

“I was attracted to the three different characters, moods, mentalities, and tried to compose the music so that the lyrics don’t lose their initial meaning. The poetry is very personal – in the center of it there always are inner feelings, wishes, ideals, doubts and searching for light. I was very interested while observing how Aleksandra’s peers interpret this concept, so I enjoyed meeting these professionals with their fresh energy to see how it all turns out”, – says a Latvian composer Uģis Prauliņš, whose contemporary musical works are performed throughout the continents and whose composition “The Nightingale” was twice nominated for a Grammy award.

Aleksandra Line is a music manager and poet, Latvian Music Academy lecturer and active music industry participant with more than 12 years of experience. She has been writing poetry in English, Latvian and Russian since her childhood – for many years it has been included in her own spoken word and jazz music project “klausies” with two albums released; besides, she also writes lyrics for various composers. “This triptichum is a dedication to myself and everyone who took part in its creation. Also each of our significant people, everyone who doesn’t ever quit searching for light and everyone who begins the searches within himself for a start”, – states the author.

Rapper Deniss releases the song “Notiesāts”

Rapper Deniss (Deniss Stepanov) from the association “Kreisais Krasts” unites with the popular TikToker Bacha (Mareks Bahmanis) and Latvian singer Adriana Miglāne and releases the song “Notiesāts”, where he looks with sarcasm and humor at how he was accused and sentenced for a Covid certificate trade.

Spotify