Latvian Music 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

Spending the past few years honing her songwriting skills and collaborating with a slew of talented producers, ELIZZA is now bringing her new single to the world. Taking equal inspiration from pop icons such as SIA and Dua Lipa, and RnB artists like Raye and Jorja Smith, ELIZZA distils her breadth of influences down into a focused, unique, and deeply meaningful style with her latest single, “Can’t Quit”.

“This song is about those intense romantic feelings, that rush you feel when you’re in love and out of your mind: almost like an addiction that’s hard to quit.”

“Can’t Quit” is scheduled was released on 8th November.

“Can’t Quit” is a potent insight into the addictive power of love. Inspired by the experience of an intense romantic connection that became difficult to detach from, the song deftly explores the drama created by an attachment that you can’t shake no matter how hard you try. This latest offering from ELIZZA emotively frames themes of romance and lust in edgy pop sounds and glittering production, laying down a powerful vocal performance over energetic beats that irresistibly pull you on to the dancefloor.

“The “drug” refers to that chemical feeling, the dopamine rush you feel when you’re in love: addicted to another person and out of your mind.”

After graduating from BIMM London in 2014, ELIZZA has since worked alongside several talented music producers, developing a unique sound of her very own, taking cues from pop and RnB but staying true to herself and her roots. Subsequently, her releases have been featured on BBC Introducing, Clash Magazine, Indietronica, Hype Machine, and Born Music, and more recently she appeared for an in-studio interview on the Harriette Rose show on FUBAR radio.

The long-awaited collaboration brings together two well known artists from the neighboring countries - Lithuania's “Daddy Was A Milkman” and Latvia's “BrainStorm”. From today,  October 31st, the new song called “This is how i feel” is avalable on all digital music streaming platforms and radio stations in Latvia and Lithuania. 

Renārs Kaupers remembers his Lithuanian friend Ramunas telling him ones about a guy who suddenly appeared on the Lithuanian sky of music with great songs and perfect English. Couple of years later they met each other here and there and it was always nice to meet Ignas who he says is a very sincere, simple and solid guy.

Igna's band is known to Lithuanian and Latvian listeners as "Daddy Was a Milkman", but their most popular song "Breathe In" is often found on radio playlists. “Daddy Was a Milkman” has visited Latvia several times, both at various festivals and with a solo concert at Arena Riga late last year.

The idea of collaboration was in the air for some time but the song or a theme wasn't coming. And then one day quite a simple melody came to Renar’s mind that he recorded on a phone and sent to Ignas. 

“The first draft of “This is how I feel” sounds really funny now, because exactly nothing has left from the original theme”, adds Renārs Kaupers. Ignas and the producer Vitas played around with the song and added a very nice bridge part. In one of BrainStorm’s rehearsal we felt that this bridge sounds better than the original verse and offered to use it instead of the original one. Then I flew to Vilnius and we composed together a new chorus. Ignas quickly came up with lyrics and here we go, song was ready!”

“This song points out the strength of a friendship, power of connection that true friends have. There is this thing we all have in common - we need someone to trust and help us get things off the chest. And there comes a time when a laugh, a shared memory or even a single word of encouragement can work miracles if it's with the right person at the right time. We wanted it to sound light and positive, though carry a simple but important message. "This Is How I Feel" is sort of encouragement to make time for our closest ones as we simply can not afford otherwise,” tells Ignas.

Music: Ignas Pociūnas, Vitas Vaičiulis, Renārs Kaupers, Jānis Jubalts, Māris Mihelsons, Kaspars Roga

Lyrics: Ignas Pociūnas

Produced by: Vitas Vaičiulis, Povel Olsson

Published by: BrainStorm Records Company and Ignas Pociūnas

Lyric video: Didzis Bardo, Nauris Asenkampfs/Jauda

Listen to the song in all the digital streaming services.

Concerts:

BrainStorm:

November 23, KALININGRAD, Vagonka. Tickets

December 2, NIZHNI NOVGOROD, Milo concert hall. Tickets

December 4, MOSCOW, Crocus city hall. Tickets

December 6, ST.PETERSBURG, A2 green concert. Tickets

December 12, KYIV, Caribbean club concert-hall. Tickets

Daddy Was A Milkman:

November 28, VILNIUS, Siemens Arena. Tickets

December 29, PALANGA, Palangos Koncertu Sale. Tickets

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.

 “Carnival Youth” album and “Good Luck” tour friends: STENDERS and Red Bull

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.

The tour dates and places:

30.10. Szimpla Kert, Budapest, Hungary

31.10. Atelier Club, Cluj Napoca, Romania

01.11. Taverna Timisoara, Timisoara, Romania

02.11. Strogi Centar, Belgrade, Serbia

03.11. Bela Kuća, Valjevo, Serbia

06.11. Babel Camp, Balatonboglar, Hungary

07.11. Jazz Paradise/ Jazz Club Gajo, Ljubljana, Slovenia

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.

With the support of the Latvian Performers’ and Producers’ Association (LaIPA) and the Ministry of Culture for the fifth time Music Export Latvia organised a songwriting camp RIGaLIVE#5.

Musicians, producers, authors from Latvia, Estonia, Russia and Czech Republic participated in songwriting session #5.

Music: Bel Tempo "Think Too Much" (RIGaLIVE#3, Andis Ansons, Jūlijs Melngailis)
Video: Rolands Rekke

PRAGAII introduces their first single "Andy-Jam" from their debut album "Sorry, Can't Talk Right Now" which will be released in November. The duo was created in 2015 by Kaspars Kubeckis and Aleksis Luriņš, who have previously worked on remixes of other bands. Despite the disagreements between members of the bands, life and music has eventually brought them closer... now they are best friends.

"We are in complete charge of everything - starting from the first drafts till the very final adjustments" states the Duo.

The "Andy-Jam" single also features saxophonist Uģis Jansons, as well as vocals by Annemaria Szczegolev.

Release and the premiere of the Album "Sorry, Can't Talk Now" will be held on November 9th in the Art Gallery "LOOK!" on 62 Gertrudes Iela, Riga. Visitors are more than welcome to meet the duo in person, listen to their album and record it in vinyl format.

Makree and David Harks met during a trip David to Riga in the fall of 2018 in Latvia, instantly striking up a friendship and a deep love of indie dance music as they began testing out some ideas.

Citing the influences of conscientious storytelling house legends Hot Chip, the analogue synth pop
elements of Superorganism and the straight ahead maturity of Gorgon City productions, Makree and Harks decided to continue working together - this time Makree visited David in Berlin during
one weekend, shutting the door on its busy nightlife, carving out there song - Behind the Blinds .

A foray into lyrically lead melodic house and repetition, Behind the Blinds lays a support to a
combination of DIY synth elements and warm bass on an overlay of Makree’s demanding house
productions, the songs essence is calmly complimented by David’s chilled and melodic abstract
lyricism.

Makree brings as always his signature production style to the singles release with an additional
immersively strong rework of the songs original - with his own club remix, aiming to lift the spirits
of the listener as well as command a stillness in the lyrical message, Behind the Blinds reveals a
strong potential between both of these writers.

While the indie-rock band “Audrú” is working on their debut EP “The Lighthouse Trilogy”, that's set to be released in Fall, a mellow and dreamy composition that won't appear in the record has been brought to listeners attention.

“Fog” is the bands second single and it contemplates moments, when we're on the brink of forgetting ourselves and wish to exchange the reality around us for our individual version of the reality. In a quiet and uninhibited mood, the song carries a story about the need for trust.

“One breath

could be too much right now

I  need to

follow something

I  can’t see”.

The song is accompanied with a lyric video, which presents sunny meadows and shrubs of Zakusala, all through the eyes of a racing drone. Video-related glitches that can be spotted throughout the video are caused by the disruptions in the analogue signal happening during the flight. Song is recorded and mixed in “Hodila records” studio.

“Audrú” consists of four friends – Ieva, Gita, Jurģis un Artūrs, who have been playing together for two 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.

“Fog” is soon to be available on most mayor streaming platforms.
You can follow “Audrú” on Facebook and Instagram.

The Latvian shoegaze/dreampop collective returns with “Rust and Gold”, their first record in a decade. It will be presented on August 28 at the K. K. fon Stricka Villa in Riga.

This summer the band played their first show after a long break at the music festival Laba Daba.

After the show they released an announcement about the current state of the band, sharing that the singer Ksenija Sundejeva will not be able to participate in live concerts this year due to current health issues.

“We have been in the process of recording the new album and rehearsing for more than two years. As it became clear that Ksenija will not be able to take part in the shows, we had to make a choice - to postpone both, the shows and the new release for indefinite time, - or to let the new tunes play. We chose the latter, especially because that’s what Ksenija wanted. Despite not being present physically, enabled by modern technologies Ksenija remains the voice of Tribes of the City both - on record and live.” - says the band’s statement.

At the presentation show the band will play the songs from their latest release “Rust and Gold”, accompanied by concert visuals created by Ksenija (who is also a visual artist) for this occasion.

Speaking about the new record the band’s musical leader and guitarist Sergei Jaramishian shares what his goals and vision were: “I was attempting to create such a broad interweaving of guitars that could hypnotise and mesmerise. To make the record sound like it comes from the 80s or 90s when albums were commonly listened to in their entirety.”

Ksenija says that the record feels very personal to her, as the song lyrics reflect her own experiences.

For that reason the lyrics are also going to be a central part of the concert visuals.

The album was recorded with Aleksandr Solovjov at ZStudios, Riga, produced by Adam Cooper of Allison’s Halo at Jetpack Studios and mastered by Brian Wenckebach of Electric Blue Studios, Brooklyn, NY.

“Rust and Gold” will be available on vinyl and on all major digital music streaming platforms.

The special guest of the presentation will be the young Latvian experimental artist MNTHA.

Tribes of the City was founded in 2003 and have released three albums: “Running to the Sun” (2004), “For the Sleepy People” (2006) and “Recipe of the Golden Dream” (2009). They have been awarded with multiple Latvian Music Awards and nominated for the MTV European Music Awards and the Best Baltic Act.

“Rust and Gold” will be available on vinyl and all major streaming platforms.