Latvian Music News

Carnival Youth release their new album “Good Luck” on the 16th of August. It is available on digital streaming platforms as well as in CD and double vinyl. Limited Edition LP is also available.

As the band describe, the ideas for the new album have been collected over a couple of years of touring and experiencing contrasts within the world and people, at the same time, understanding that we are all united by the same things: “The same lust for human compassion, openness, as well as lust for love and freedom. Whilst writing the material for our new album, we tried to be very open and intimate within our environment, letting freedom flow through various musical experiments.”

Songs were mainly created during creative camps, which are almost always held somewhere close to the Latvian nature, however, the album was recorded in Red Bull Studios in São Paulo, Brazil with producer Gatis Zakis. As Carnival Youth describe: “While we were recording the album, we let the Brazilian air affect our music and writing methods. We gave way to more expressive and passionate rhythms, using local percussions, which in result creates a great balance with a couple of more melancholic compositions.”

The album name “Good Luck” came up during the recording process: “Thus far, the names of our albums have always been thought through and made up after it has been recorded. But this time it was more spontaneous. During one of the days of recording in São Paulo studio, our producer Gatis, whilst sitting behind the sound mixer, after one our recording tries, announced to the three of us via microphone “Ok, let's try that again” and very ironically added “Good luck…”. At that moment something clicked, and we said “Hey, that sounds like a great name for an album”. This phrase can be taken both as a genuine wish for good fortune or figuratively, as it's often used with an ironic smirk, when someone is trying to accomplish something challenging or something that at the moment can seem impossible. In those instances, what can we say? Well...Good Luck…”

The album was mixed by Grammy winning producer Nicolas Verhnes, and the master was done by Greg Calbi at “Sterling Sound” in New York.

The “Good Luck” European tour will begin in September with performances in Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia, Czech Republic, the United Kingdom, Estonia and Latvia. More information and tickets - https://band.link/CarnivalYouth

Latvian indie rock trio Carnival Youth release a new single and video “Only the Moon Can See the Sun” a week before the release of the new album “Good Luck”.

Carnival Youth member Emils Kaupers reveals that the song is about procrastination: “I believe everyone has those little things on their mind that you can’t get rid of and they prevent you from being truly happy. You want to deal with these things and resolve them but it’s easier to put them off again and again. This can drag on forever. It’s difficult to finally take the first step so this song serves as an encouragement to be brave”.

 The music video was shot in Aluksne, Latvia by directors Ieva Aleksejeva and Peteris Viksna. Peteris describes the video as follows: “The video plays on the connection between dreams and reality using the lyrics as a point of reference. We interpreted the lyrics of the song both literally and through various abstract associations of the words and the symbols hidden within them”. This is the second music video that Carnival Youth have filmed in Aluksne and this time biathlete from Aluksne Andrejs Rastorgujevs is in the video as well.

The upcoming album “Good Luck” will be available in CD and double vinyl. Limited edition vinyl will also be available. The album was recorded last summer in Red Bull Studios in Sao Paulo, Brazil and is produced by the band’s long-time collaborator Gatis Zakis. The album was mixed by Grammy winning producer Nicolas Verhnes and the master was done by Greg Calbi at Sterling Sound in NYC.

Pre-save “Good Luck” on digital platforms here

The album will be supported by an extensive tour which will begin in September. The band will tour Latvia, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia, Czech Republic. On Monday, 12 August, Carnival Youth will perform at one of Europe’s largest festivals – “Sziget” in Hungary. Information about tour dates and tickets.

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. 

During the summer of 2019 VCP is on tour around festivals in the Baltic States & Germany: 

18th of May “Museum Night” (Liepaja, Latvia), 

25th of May “Görlitz Jazz Festival” (Görlitz, Germany), 

1st of June “Gaujas Svētki” (Ādaži, Latvia), 

6th of July “Bliuzo Naktys” (Varniai, Lithuania), 

13th of July “Tintes Svētki” (Valmiera, Latvia), 

16th of July “Saulkrasti Jazz” (Saulkrasti, Latvia), 

27th of July “Positivus” (Salacgrīva, Latvia), 

1st of August “Muzikālais Augusts Daugavpils” (Daugavpils, Latvia),

2nd of August” Augustibluus” (Haapsalu, Estonia), 

3rd of August “Summersound” (Liepaja, Latvia), 

9th of August “Pasaules čempionāts Rollerslēpošanā” (Madona, Latvia),

22nd of August “Origo Summer Stage” (Riga, Latvia),

24th of August “Siauliai Jazz” (Siauliai, Lithuania)

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.

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

"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.”

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.

Listen to “Tranquil State of Mind” on your favourite music platform

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

“Fresh breath in the Latvian music scene.” – Sandris Vanzovics, nra.lv

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.

Pacific K are going on a Baltic tour in autumn 2019 following the album release. Tour dates to be announced later in the summer. Follow for news: https://www.facebook.com/pacifick.org/

“The One That Got Away” is something that started as a tiny story told by ANNNA’s Estonian friend Uku, and, in just under one day, got developed into a whole song by three musicians during songwriting camp "RIGaLIVE#4". It’s a melancholic tune that takes you on a visual a journey. ANNNA’s vocals, and her intoxicating lyrics add up to that “take me to the summer” feel that this track reflects.

This release will kick start more than six consecutive tracks that ANNNA bring out in the upcoming months that she’ll eventually put together in an album. You’ll be able to hear “The One That Got Away” for the first time on the second of July in Latvia, where ANNNA will be the warm up artist for the incredible LP! 

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.

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.

Find out more about Cacophonics by visiting the band’s homepage

Album on YouTube

Album on Spotify

It includes 14 soundtracks, where artists openly shares his inner world adventures and experiences.

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.  

Album on Spotify