On Tuesday, October 26th, a new album \u201cLines and Miniatures\u201d including 10 instrumental compositions by guitarist and music author Rihards L\u012bbietis was released. A music video for the album\u2019s second single \u201cFracture\u201d was also released, created in collaboration with \u201cColortime\u201d video artist Arvis Belovs.<\/p>\n
\u201cMusic in the album is vast, spacious, stylistically united, but with some quite explosive moments. It is a true account of last year\u2019s events and feelings, especially loneliness, uncertainty of future, and melancholy. At the same time we tried to infuse this musical adventure with subtle hints of empowering inspiration and joy of life that can be felt throughout the album,\u201d says Rihards L\u012bbietis.<\/p>\n
In the beginning the idea behind the project was to create a guitar solo-album – by using various playing techniques, looping etc, while strictly keeping the focus on one instrument – but as the writing process started, music evolved and it was clear that more sound layers and more instruments should be added. That\u2019s when Toms Kagainis (drums, percussion) joined in, working together on many compositions.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis definitely is one of the more exciting life experiences I\u2019ve had. Freedom, musical experimentation and possibility to say something in a clean, undiluted and truthful musical language without limits. Owing to the diversity of the compositions, every recording process was unique and challenging. When we ran out of ideas for traditional instrumentation, we recorded even tea bags, knifes, plates and other random objects found in the studio\u201d says Toms Kagainis.<\/p>\n
Album also features other collaborations with guest artists such as Erna Daugaviete (cello), Olga Bu\u010dinska (violin), Ieva R\u016btent\u0101le (flute), Mat\u012bss Repsis (piano) and Be\u0101te Zviedre (voice).<\/p>\n
The name \u201cLines and Miniatures\u201d was inspired by the concept of different lines in life – some lines are more obvious, such as roads, electricity wires, sheet music, while some are more abstract like a person\u2019s life road that only reveals itself slowly and gradually. Each composition in itself can be considered a miniature \u2013 a short work of art with a story that can be enjoyed and understood in a few minutes. The same concept can be seen in the names of album compositions – \u201cTranscending Parallels\u201d, \u201cJunction\u201d, \u201cHeart Line\u201d, \u201cMiniature on whispers\u201d and others.<\/p>\n
Album was recorded in \u201cNo Fuss Audio\u201d in Tukums and \u201cAMFO Music\u201d studio in Riga. Its sound, mixing and mastering engineer is Val\u0113rijs \u010cernejs, who describes the album as a bright collage of feelings that brings on a journey of deep contemplation every time. \u201cEach composition has a unique emotional color and we put in a lot of producing work to reveal these colors as best as we possibly could.\u201d<\/p>\n
Together with the new album a music video for its second single \u201cFracture\u201d has also been released. Single deals with themes of escaping society, of escaping routine. About how sometimes a fresh look from outside can help to appreciate something in a different light, and many of the perceived problems seem much smaller. Rihards L\u012bbietis and Toms Kagainis participate in this recording.<\/p>\n