Latvian Music News

Painting the ever-changing canvas of pop and R&B with her own distinctive palette, ELIZZA is a fresh, emerging talent whose songs are leaving an indelible mark on the contemporary music scene. Her latest single, “Habit”, is out on 12th June 2020.

Based in London and inspired by artists such as Sia, Dua Lipa, The Weekend and Jorja Smith, ELIZZA’s vivid new sound is destined to become the heartbeat of pop music in the 2020s. The stage has already been set for her inevitable rise, thanks to a run of remarkable releases that include ‘Can’t Quit’, Myles Stephenson collaboration ‘Want To Keep’ and her latest track, the summer-ready new single ‘Habit’. 

“”Habit" is questioning your commitment to a person and trying to answer these questions - has this relationship turned into a habit or is this still alive and worth holding onto?”

Showcasing the singer’s range and versatility, “Habit” sees ELIZZA stunningly vocalise her romantic uncertainty over a beat that takes cues from reggaeton and dancehall, penning reflective lyrics that explore the dangerous territories where love and addiction collide. Another leap in her progressive musical evolution, this most recent offering points towards a new direction for ELIZZA, as she brings together sounds, rhythms and styles from across the mainstream to produce a radio-ready heater that’s destined for the Top 40.

Speaking about her artistic progression, ELIZZA remarked: “For me, it’s a wow moment every time a song you have been working on, comes to life, gets released, and I hear from people who loved it. It’s so important for me to remember where you started but also always stay hungry for more and keep pushing.” 

The ideas behind “Habit” came out of the blue during a journey to a studio session - an artist who overflows with natural creativity, ELIZZA often receives bolts of inspiration from the blue, recording melodies and lyrics as voice notes in her phone before fleshing them out in the studio with talented producers. This creative process has brought to life a series of incredible singles that point towards a long and successful musical career for a musician determined to express her vision to the world.

“This release is very personal, being able to share this is me speaking the truth. This is what I want my music to be about. It can be scary to say what I feel out loud sometimes and that’s how music helps me. Hopefully, it can help others too.”

ELIZZA is dedicated to sharing her experience and emotion with others through the medium music. Her fire, passion and authenticity shines through every note she sings, and is now inspiring a growing international fanbase. She believes that, unlike anything else, music has the power to break boundaries, arouse deep feelings, and spark new ideas. Her intense, heartfelt songs do just that.

Link to the song: http://smarturl.it/ELIZZAHABIT

New single is from artist’s upcoming album ‘Lighter’ and is a melancholic electro-pop track from Latvian artist who currently lives and performs in Austria.

„I Can Tell You My Sins“ is the new single from BAIBA's upcoming album „Lighter“.  It is her one of her first tracks which is more focused on electronic and is pursuing her hunger for good electronic pop music. 

“It's dark, sexy mood of the song expresses the hope and despair of young lovers. Craving to open up to each other, merge into each other's essence to express their deepest secrets, sins and desires and yet, the song is also sharing the insecurity of young love,” BAIBA explains.

The track is a slow burner - it is supposed to be listened on melancholic and beautiful summer nights, together with lovers and their touch.

You can listen to the new single on Spotify:

BAIBA is a young Latvian musician, currently living in Innsbruck, Austria. In 2017 in collaboration with the Austrian producer Christoph Holzknecht (CHRS) she released her debut album ''These Storms''. Since then BAIBA is performing solo, producing herself and moving away from the melancholic singer songwriter corner and embracing more and more the curiosity of electronic pop music.

Her singles ‘Running’, ‘Light Inside’, ‘Touch You Right’ and ‘You Don’t Know Me’ which she released under her full name (Baiba Dekena), had radio airplay all around Europe and were also featured in numerous Canadian and American music blogs. Her single "Waiting" was in a daily rotation in one of the biggest Austrian radio stations "FM4" and mid November she entered the „Official European Independent Music Charts“ on number 19 with the title track of her upcoming album „Lighter“ and stayed in the top 50 until March 2020.

"Cellar Cat", an indie and alternative rock band from Riga, have released their "quarantine" video – the live music video for the song "Time & Space"/ It was shot and simultaneously recorded at the band members' homes. Music of "Cellar Cat" is often compared to the likes of "Coldplay" and "The 1975".

The band tells about the idea for the video: "In the current situation of public emergency in Latvia we couldn't rehearse of record at the studio, not even mentioning playing gigs. Still, we decided to try and nor get demoralized and use this situation for the best. We thought that we might try doing something more unconventional for us — record a new song at home, while actually filming the process, and then glue the sounds and the videos together. Looks like it was a successful experiment."

As the band members say, this experience let them have a feeling of unity despite the social distancing.

"Though we managed to pull everything off almost as we envisioned it, we still want to get back to normal life as soon as possible and play this song in front of the audience!" the band's singer Alex says.

Pacific K offer their first full-length studio album “Light Between Oceans”, out on May 13, available digitally and on vinyl.

Listen to “Light Between Oceans”

The new album includes stories, experiences and emotions gathered over the last few years, combining them into deep, meditative, yet captivating songs with telluric energy. “These are stories of the raw power of mother nature, solitary moments of looking within oneself and the paths you share with your dearest and closest”, says the band’s leader and songwriter Kristaps Bedritis.

Pacific K recorded and worked on the album together 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. The album features various other instruments, such as Arabic oud, hang drum, percussion among others. It also features a collaboration with the world renowned French jazz trumpeter Erik Truffaz in the song “Castaway”.

Playing together since 2016, the Latvian four-piece has previously 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, they combine their inspirations with their own experience in world, folk, rock, blues, instrumental and jazz music. Pacific K have played 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.

The first ‘DELFI digiConcert” will take place on Wednesday, 20th May at 21:00 (EEST Time) and will offer a live performance from “Carnival Youth”. The show will be available via Bilesu Paradize website.

The band has prepared a special programme for the live broadcast, calling it “Reconnected”. The show will be around an hour long and after the performance, Latvian hip-hop artist Eduards Gorbunovs aka Edavārdi will join the musicians for an informal chat.  

Tickets to the online show can be purchased via “Bilesu paradize” online shop. Pre-sale tickets (until 19th May) cost 6 EUR, but tickets purchased on the day of the event (20th May) will cost 8 EUR. One ticket is valid for one connection to the broadcast via one smart device. If you purchase a ticket for 9 EUR, you will get access to the live broadcast as well as a recording of the show that you can watch 72 hours after you activate your unique code.

The concert is organised in response to the national and global restrictions on live shows, festivals and other events. Artists are now sharing their work free of charge via social networks, so “Delfi” calls on the public to take a step forward and remember, that social distancing is not a reason to demand free of charge high quality culture in which knowledge, creative energy and time has been invested.

“Carnival Youth” comment: “The state of emergency was announced around the time when we were preparing to leave for our European tour, hence we had to cancel all our shows. This will be a great opportunity for us to reach the fans that we were supposed to see during our spring tour as well as a good encouragement to those who are longing for live shows. The name of this online show is “Reconnected” – it’s a reunion after a lost connection. As the show is intended for fans everywhere in the world, the program will mainly be in English, but we will definitely play a song or two in Latvian as well. Let’s stay together through a virtual touch!” 

“Carnival Youth” is an indie rock band from Latvia, which made its debut in 2011, gaining recognition both at home and abroad. The band consists of twins Edgars (guitar, vocals) and Emīls (drums, vocals) Kaupers, Roberts Vanags (keyboard, vocals) and Kristiāns Kosītis (bass). Carnival Youth debut album “No Clouds Allowed” was released in October 2014 and was awarded as the best debut at the Latvian Annual Recorded Music Awards “Golden Microphone”. The band have received “The European Border Breakers Award” at Eurosonic 2016.

The concert is created in cooperation with sound and light rental company “GaCo”, LED screen rental company “VPT Group” and live broadcasting company “No Limits”. 

“Carnival Youth” are supported by RedBull Music. Organisers: DELFI and “Every Little Thing”. 

Tickets

Frontiers Music Srl is proud to announce that Latvian hard rockers Bloody Heels will release their new album, "Ignite The Sky" on July 10, 2020. Today, the band has premiered the first single and video from the album, 'Criminal Masterminds'.

""Ignite the Sky" has some pretty heavy songs, but at the same time there’s plenty of melodic stuff, harmonies and big choruses. I like to call this album "Dark AOR", haha! We managed to blend everything we love about music, to be honest. But one thing is for sure, we’ve never felt such a strong connection with the songs before," says singer Vicky White of the upcoming album.

Regarding the first single, White continues, ""Criminal Masterminds" is definitely one of our heaviest songs to date. It was also one of the last songs we wrote for the album, just a month or so before we headed to the studio. Me and Harry were waiting on the other guys in our rehearsal room, messing around with some different guitar tunings and came up with the main riff. Then Gus and Gunn came and the rest is history. It's one of those songs that came together in just a couple of hours. We wanted to release this song as the first single because I think that it captures what Bloody Heels is about now. It's a bit heavier and more in your face, but still quite melodic, with a big chorus and lots of harmonies. It's quite different from anything what we've done before, but doesn't abandon who we are."

Along with blossoming cherry trees, “Audrú” wants to delight the audience with an upbeat song - "Mother Love".

The song starts out serene, then becomes uplifting and creates an inspiring mood. Friends who have already heard "Mother Love" say that it talks about everything that is important. Maybe that's why the song is a perfect soundtrack for these sophisticated times. It reminds us that we can always choose to see the good or simply not to notice it.

“On what you linger, you carry on,

so make sure what you carry on feels good.”

The song also has a video that captures moments from the adventures shared together in the recent years – inspiring trips, fun birthdays, rehearsals, walks in the rain and picnics by the sea. The video is like a journey through heartfelt memories while all we can do is wait until we can meet again.

Currently, the band is also working on their debut EP called "The Lighthouse Trilogy". One of the songs from the album - "Over", is already available to listeners.

“Audrú” - a bunch of friends - Ieva, Gita, Jurģis and Artūrs have been playing together for more than 3 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.

"Mother Love" was recorded and mixed at Hodila Records studio in Valmiera, Latvia, in the beginning of 2020. You can listen to other Audrú songs on the most popular music streaming sites.

Classical music hooligans DAGAMBA, in collaboration with the talented emerging singer Patrisha, releases a new single and video Stāvēt Tuvāk. It is a story about boarder abolishment, mutual unity un humanity against each other, that is especially important during social and physical distancing because spiritual values come first.

The leader of DAGAMBA and author of the music, Valters Pūce, tells: “To be honest, musical framework was created approximately one and a half year ago, and the initial idea was to depict the charm and uniqueness of coexistence of different cultures. Patrisha’s contribution allots topicality to our collaboration during self-isolation era, when it is more important than ever not to lose mutual humanity against each other.”

The video, directed by Dace Pūce, focuses on the same idea – even though we are asked not to go outside our homes without necessity, life goes on, musicians perform at home with their families, and  dream about the time, when empty streets will be filled with everyday hustle again and the world will return to its usual rhythm.

“This song was created at a strange time, when physical being around each other is forbidden, but is also  crucial to all of us. The message of "Stāvēt tuvāk", just like the world around me, changed rapidly during its writing, but it seems that now it has become especially relevant. I am very happy and honored for this beautiful collaboration with DAGAMBA,” explains Patrisha.

Song available on digital streaming platforms

The Latvian Soul, r&b band “Kristine Praulina & The Soulful Crew” in collaboration with Riga Gospel choir releases a single called "Mountains" and a video of it’s recording process. It’s the first single of their upcoming album. “Mountains” is now available on all the major music streaming platforms.

In 2018 Kristine Praulina’s dream of her own music came to life as she created the band that is now called “Kristine Praulina & The Soulful Crew”. The band has five members - Toms Mikāls (piano), Jānis Kalniņš (guitar), Valters Sprūdžs (bass), Kaspars Kurdeko (drums) and Kristine Praulina (vocals) and it performs original soul, r&b, singer songwriter, blues influenced music.

“Mountains” is the first single from the  band's upcoming first full-length album. The song tells a story of a search for Light in the time of darkness, the power of faith and the beauty that comes from a heart filled with gratitude. Kristine says: “I wish that this song would be an encouragement in these peculiar and trying times - to stop for a moment and listen to the inner quiet, to hear your own voice and the voice of God. It is this eternal perspective and peace of heart that can give us true and lasting joy in our everyday lives and as the song says - it can “move mountains inside our souls” ”

“Mountains” was written specifically for Riga Gospel choir for Kristīne has been a part of the choir since 2003 and is currently it’s musical director. Riga Gospel choir is where Kristine’s musical journey began. Kristine about her love of gospel music: “I fell in love with gospel music at the age of 12 and it still moves me deeply every time I sing or hear it. We (RGC) have been dreaming of our own music for some years now and this is our first leap in that direction. I couldn’t be more excited about this release for it unites my two main musical passions - soul and gospel music and let’s our work with The Soulful Crew and Riga Gospel choir flourish”.

“Mountains” (music and lyrics, vocal and choir arrangements) was written by Kristine Prauliņa and these are her first steps songwriting in gospel music genre. The instrumental arrangement was created together with the band. The song was recorded in “Mint” studio in Riga, Latvia in January 2020. Studio and mixing engineer - Toms Lisments. Mastered by Tom Woodhead (GBR). Video made and edited by Reinis Janulis.

Kristine Praulina has been on the Latvian jazz music scene since 2013 when she won the International Jazz Vocalist competition “Riga Jazz Stage”. She has been actively working as a soloist in Latvia and abroad with bands like the Latvian Radio Big Band, funk band “Very Cool People”, “Alaska Dreamers” and many more ever since. She has recorded two studio albums with the legendary Latvian Maestro Raimonds Pauls. In 2018 “Kristine Praulina & The Soulful Crew” was born. That same year the band released an EP called “A Warmer October” with four freshly written songs. In 2019 they released a song in Latvian called “Kopā”, along with a video.

Riga Gospel choir is an active perfomer in the Latvian music scene since 2006. The choir has performed all over Latvia and in Norway, Estonia, Great Britain, Germany and other European countries, as well as the USA (Chicago, New York, New Orleans and more). Riga Gospel choir performed with the Grammy winner, gospel super star Donald Lawrence in Riga, Latvia in 2019. They’ve had collaborations with Karen Gibson (creator and musical director of Great Britain’s “Kingdom Choir”) and gospel greats Cynthia Nunn, Malcolm Williams, Walter Owens and Terry Moore for the USA. Riga Gospel choir has won two gold medals in the World Choir games.

While real face-to-face parties are off limits, partying online has never seemed like a better idea – Markus Riva invites all party animals to the PURE POP DISCO global party! Join us tomorrow, April 24, LIVE from FANTADROM.

Dance hits, an interactive live chat, unique go-go dancers, tips for choosing the best drinks and snacks for the night, special guests from around the globe, a chance to vote for the best dance, contests, prizes and impressive technological solutions – join, dance, watch, relax!

Everyone will keep a safe distance at the event. The event will be hosted in Latvian, English and Russian.

Tickets to “MARKUS RIVA INVITES – PURE POP DISCO VIRTUAL PARTY” are available at Biļešu Serviss ticket store online – ticket prices start from 5 EUR. Join us LIVE on April 24 at 19:00 here.

PURE POP DISCO live stream is brought to you by  "UNTITLED originals" in cooperation with “Markus Riva Music” and conference hall Fantadroms.