Category: News

EZIA, the Latvian singer-songwriter from New York – on September 8th releases her new single “Closing Doors” which will be available on all music platforms.

“Closing Doors” combines the famous NYC metro announcement sound, crispy percussion, and agile synth patterns with catchy melodies and witty lyrics.

“Every time the doors close on the NYC Subway metro, there is an announcement that goes, “Stand clear of the closing doors, please.” I thought about how many people hear this seemingly ordinary phrase daily and what a beautiful philosophy it holds. “Closing Doors” is a song that confronts people who are testing you and unable to commit to a relationship with you despite your many attempts in a humorous and assertive way,” says EZIA.

EZIA, a Latvian-born singer and songwriter, moved to New York in 2018 and has been traveling around for the past few years. Her debut album “Cycles”, which was released in March 2022 gained very positive music critic reviews and was featured on various music blogs. Since the release of her debut album, EZIA has collaborated with many notable artists like Mick Jenkins, Michael Christmas, Katori Walker, and more.

More info on EZIA, including tours, audio samples, news, and reviews is available on www.eziamusic.com, Instagram, and TikTok @eziamusic or Spotify, Apple Music, etc.

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.

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

The song is like a daily reminder and motivator to remember that it is important to maintain inner freedom and peace in order to be able to overcome difficulties on the way to your dreams.

Spotify

‘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.

Album is a reminder that feeling alone and alienated from the rest of the world can still be enjoyable. Meanwhile single “Zvaigžņu rati” (or Star chariot) is a romantic ballad that provides the feeling of a warm summer night.

On April 12th, indie rock musician Jannsi released the song “Atkrītot”, featuring elements of indie rock and rap with an authentic and inclusive message. “I believe that music has the power to change the world. Similar to other songs, in this composition, I encourage everyone to challenge their personal beliefs, not allowing prejudices or misunderstandings to create hatred, which is sometimes presented as love,” says Jannsi. 

In the song “Atkrītot”, Jannsi, whose real name is Jānis Uplejs, talks about his experience in various conversations, internet comments, letters, and phone calls where someone expresses their opinion about Jānis’ religious life. As Jannsi identifies himself as a Christian while also expressing support for the LGBTQ+ community and egalitarianism – the belief that all genders are equal in friendship – these opinions are received quite often.

“These comments are quite diverse – from attempts to indoctrinate to efforts to persuade, to calling me a Satanist or a false teacher, but they all share the judgment that I have either never truly been a believer, or I have ‘fallen away’ from faith. This song is my story about this ‘falling away’ – a careful evaluation of my beliefs, not relying solely on what some teachers have said, who continue to echo only what they have been taught, without conducting deeper research,” continues Jannsi. “For example, the story of Sodom and Gomorrah describes horrific sexual violence, physical and numerical superiority used against the weaker, but is used against loving same-sex couples.”

The song “Atkrītot” is available on all popular music streaming platforms.

Spotify

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